The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-05-22
A LOST CHANCE.

man and can afford to be extrayapant
Here is the m oney fer that diamond ring
] houe you are not going TO turn out a
dandy; dandy never makes a man of
business. / want McD-rmut & Son TO be
what il always has been, in the future !;
but here, Jack.
And Jack put the great roll of bills into
his pockrt-book, and thanking his father,
hurried away.
II was as fond of pretty things as a girl
and oeSlds mat he thought of value: a
diamond worth a $1,000 was something to
he proud ri. and he was assured that was
the yaiue Of this, though be was to have it
for Soce, buying II of man who was
forced TO raise money at once.
As he hurried around the corner he
came plump against his cousin, Edward
Winner Edward was not older than Jack.
but he had been married five years He
was pale nervous young man, and wore
q shabby coat and shoes that had been
meudeG. Jack. in his sealskn 0Vercoat
locked splendidly. and was a tremendous
contrast to the poor fellow whose hand he
shock and who was shaking himself from
cold and excitement.
Glad 10 see you," said Jack, shut I'm
10 a hurry. Can't stop to talk. Come up
AMI call on u.s.
Thank you, said Ned. "But give me
one moment, Jack. IL was coming to
see You. I'm in terrible trouble. | " ish /
was dead, jack do. indeed. haven't a
cent. I've forestalled my salary, and my
wife Is quite broke down. | don't know
how she'll hear it. The landlord. You
kn0w-he-we-we are in arrears for
three months. ana he threatens to turn us
out Indeed, I've tried my best, but there
was that awful doctors BILL and the little
boy who died, and | had the misfortune to
lose money belonging TO my employer
noIed way. and an adrot thief stole it
and OF course was bound to make that
good. I'm in a miserable condition. but
could tight ont L | had a 500. Jack, could
You help me? Our mothers were sisters,
you know. Could you lend me hundred !?
bsi pay 1t back some Gay, on my honor,
and IT'S life TO me-"
FIR a moment Jack felt as though he
must do as the poor cousin before him de-
sired. Then he reflected. II he did, the
ring was gone. Solomon Jennings. the
diamond-brOker, WOULD have 1t before
night. II was such a bargain, and why
should Ned be in such a nditiOn? Aud
II he was, he could help himself out of it,
surely, or his employer would ar some one.
" lay should he give up his ring tor Ned
The hand came out of his pocket again
Il really wish | could ooige YOU" he
said; hut | can't. Positively Pm not
able. People. think rich mems sons are
always well off. know; but it isn't so,
I'm very sorry. Goud- bye"
Then he hurried away, not looking back.
One glance at mis- cousins pale face had
been enough.
He went To the place appointed and
bought his ring, but somehow he took no
pleasure In it.
He had not bad heart, and he thought
a good deal more of poor Ned than he had
expected to think. AT last he resolved to
speak to his father about aim. His mother
had long been dead, and there had been
no liking for this nephew OF hers on her
husbands part: but In an emergency he
might do something. Poor Nedl Oncr he
lad beaten another boy for jack quarrel.
Once he had given uD the medal Tor his
sake. That was in their school-days; but
tie boy as generous, so kind, that he
could hut remember it.
why did | not lend him the money ?"
SAID Jack. Hang the ring" Then he
grew more generous yet. I'm go to see
NM" he said; land if il is as bad as he
Gays I'll sell the hing even at sacrifice
ami give him ali he wants"
And he jumped into car and drove to
the out-of-the-way street where Ned re-
sided.
He found the house. On the pavement
were ranged few pieces of neat and clean
furniture and an ingram carpet. yirago
of woman stood on the steps of the house,
with her arms akimbO.
"Mr. Winner indeedp' she said. in an
swer to his inquiry for Ned. mo, he
don't liv, here There's their things on
three months rent. l don't know where
they are, nor want to-"
Inquiries were useless there. Jack
TUNED away. At the corner policeman
met him.
Looking for those poor folks?" he
said. Poor thiDgsl Pun sorry for them.
Decent people, they seem. They've gone
TO - street. No. =. She was very sick
very sick; and he looked as though be
were going mhd. The next corner, sir,
aud To h. right"
And Jack. nov flushed and anxious.
hurried away. and Soon stood at the door
of a plain house, which was opened by a
Young woman whose eyes were swollen
win weeping.
"Mrs. Winner is here" she said. "At
least, she was here. She is lying upstairs
now; but she died two hours ago. and so
did the baby. If you are friend If Mr..
Winners, go alter him. | am a lone
woman, and | have children mere ana must
stay with them; but think he needs care
de acted like a IDadman, sir, when he knew
ne had lost her. She was turned into the
street when she was unable 10 bear it, and
il killed her"
Hastily uttering assurances that every.
thing should be attended to, Jack turned
away; but Def re he had gone lar he saw
crowd advancing in the distance and a
rrescience OF evil fell upon him. cleaned
against The ratings of an area and stared
a0ewhat approached in silence. Boys,
women, men-the usual crowd that is "a h.
ered by quarrel or an accident in he
streets Of New York. In The midst four
p2gcenen, bearing bier between them.
On the bier something covered with a
cloth, through which red spots were slowly
making their way.
Jack knew that MS cousin lay ben cath as
wall as if he had seem him.
'"How old he do it?" he painted. 'Let
me see his face! Let me ~
The policeman put tim by and marched
On. Jack followed. At last, at the door
OFFS the stal house, the rabbie dropped
away. A word gained him admttance.
He looked on the dead face of the man
whose PRAYER he had denied few hours
before-the kinsman whose life he might
have saved. Nay. who might perhaps a.
this houI have kissed botb wife and child