Birmingham age-herald., 1894-11-11

appetite had greatly improved. When I had diligently gone through my pockets without finding anything, 1t was as good an appetite as was ever in eur midst. When had sat for sozne hours in the atmosphere of my room, which he'd a suggestion of east wind in 1t, l could have eaten a chromo of the fruits of New Jersey
 "I went downstairs and found my landlady It was then about dinner time. I said that I was tired of lodg- ing, and would like to board She re- piled that she did not give meals. There was bony austerity in her man. ner which led me to believe that she did not even take them. I returned to my room and passed the evening there. Then I went to bed and had a night mare in which I pursued a tenderloin steak with fried potatoes for miles and miles, and did not catch 1t.
 Friday dawned very late that week. know, for lay awake waiting for it. 1t was the payday of the newspaper which had printed the Boston article. It owed me one dollar more than thirty dollars. AS walked down town I re- solved to be frugal. would break my fast economically on half of that sum and would lay the other fifteen dollars aside. I was informed that the paper did not pay till one o'clock. Then I went out and watched the city hall clock; and if its hands had typifed the progress of municipal reform, they could not have moved slower. I never knew one o'clock to come SO late in the afternoon. But it did come at last; and then I was informed that my check had been sent by mistake to certain H. Fielding, of Kalamazoo, and that when he sent it back I could have it.
 'Yet there was hope. My friend whose admirable nature I have de- scribed--was due to arrive in New York that afternoon. He had been visiting friends in the country. Iwent to his office A clerk said:
 "'Mr. Softmarls has been removed to his home in South Jersey
 'Removed!' gasped.
 "'Yes, sir said he. He has been taken down with infiammatory rheuma- .tism in every joint, and they are afraid he will die.'
 ''1 went to my room and meditated. passed another night in chasing that tenderloin steak. Then I arose and left the room If I remember rightly, went out through the keyhole, but that does not matter. I certainly could have done so I felt thinner than a piece of string But my meditations during that interval had not been bar ren of results had formed a plan. I knew no one in the city personally, but had a very good line on gentle man who had heard of me, and was aware of the vast and ancient respecta- bility of my family. had resolved to go to him.
 "Did I go, as you came to me, and tell the story of my woes? Not much. That wealthy and successful gentle man appreciated success in others and knew it. went to telegraph office and stole a blank form I had gen. uine telegram in my pocket, and I copied all the operators marks from that upon the form. It looked severely technical when I got through with it. Then wrote this message:
 Come at your own terms; four hundred per month and expenses J. s. S CO.,
 ''I think I need not inform you that those initials did not represent any firm existing on this globe. I took the telegram to the genial gentleman. All the way to his office endeavored to impart to my countenance the appear ance of success and self-satisfaction. It was hard, for was feeling thinner than the tropic of Capricorn which is an imaginary line reaching around the earth. It seemed to me that I blew into the office, and when I sat in chair facing him, I was afraid another draft would blow me out.
 ''His desk was filtered with money, and the sight of it inspired me. I in- troduced myself in manner calculated to convey the idea that was doing him favor After ascertaining that his family were all well, and that busi- ness was good, said look at that and passed out the telegram.
 "'I've got to be In Boston tomorrow and have blown in all my money. Spent eighty-seven dollars last night on wine supper. If I'd been sure of your address, I'd certainly have had you there. It was great time. don't feel as if ever wanted to eat again. And, by the way, cen you lend me hundred or so to get to Boston with?'
 "Why, certainly. Of course he could. What was hundred dollars to man who could afford to spend eighty-seven dollars on wine supper? was none of your poor and deserving kind. was undeserving and proud of it. The hundred came easily, and then went over to the Astor house, and ate till the steward asked me if would not please leave something for the regular guests of the house. That's the way to beg, my friend and I won't charUa vO11 ar,v-