The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1895-02-28
ALL IN PENNIES.
J. Locality Where the Struggle eo1
Existence Is Hard.

CheTry 111ll Is S0EOuneQ III Tue sDm-
ser gloom Of approaching dawn. It is
always dark In the narrow street after
sundown, but the lights which steal
from the stained windows Of the sa-
looms and tenements On either side oN-
set the grewsome shadows OF the dark
and ynwning alleys In the early u!ght.
Now they are gone, and the silence IL
broken only now and then by the
groans and mumbling Of q drunken
wretch who has fallen helplessly in q
GoorwsT.
A brisk step IS heard at the corner.
Ihe figure Of man passes swiftly up
the street. He pauses at a small gro
Gerry store, unlccks the door, takes
down the shutters and lights the gas
inside. His Teutonic features are
bright and shining, and his fair skin
bears a glow that betokens a recent
application of cold water and O coarse
.cwel.
1t is ) o'clock. One by one the tene
ment windows reflect the light OF
lamps and candles. Cherry Hill Is
waking Up. Those who live In the
haunts Of hunger and privation are
preparing for the toll and hardship an
other day is bringing to them.
Hardly has Herman begun his tasA
when q frowsy-heaGed boy, half-dress-
ell, and with shoes unlaced, stumbles
through the doorway. lie carries o
'mail tin pail.
Say, Herman" he cries, as he walki
toward the counter, gimme tree cents
wort er milk an half a dozen rolls.
Hully gee, it's cold! De ole man near
ly broke me nut draggin' me out sayin'
the little Cherry Hill grocery store is
open for yer? Arr, you're er stingy
sloke."
He slaps eight cents on the counter.
picks up bis rolls and kettle Of milk,
and hurries out whistling Sweet Ma
RE-" with variations according to his
conception Of the melody, aDd--the
little Cherry ELL grocery store is open
for the day.
AS you look around you see a littl,
Of pretty nearly everything else you
can think Of that human beings have
to use, and covered boxes and barrels
denote the presence Of other things you
would never even guess. The shelves
are brimming over with ali sorts Of
boxes and cans, with tomatoes, baking
powders and washing compounds lead
ing in point Of classified numbers.
A frail little woman, clasping a thiL
black shawl tightly about her shoul-
Gers, enters noiselessly. The cares Of
motherhood and life Of ceaseless toll
IRE stamped upon her features. She
brings to view a small pitcher, with
spout and handle gone, and places it
IN the counter.
"Good morning, Herman" she says
Three cents worth Of milk this morn
ing, and three cents worth Of coffee"
To this are added two slices Of fresh
pork and six rolls.
"Three, six, sixteen, twenty-one,'
counts Herman briskly. Then hands
her four pennies change, which She
places in her mouth.
Breakfast for four!
Good morning, Mr.. O'Mara," says
Herman, as thin, sparely-built mar
comes in. "What will you have?
"Ten cents worth Of potatoes, two
cents worth OF onions and paper Of
:obacco."
He gets the tobacco first and then.
leaning against q barrel, slows away
a generous fingerful. Herman writes
up the charges in greasy little ac-
count book, black with age, that came
from the mans pocket.
"Is that all, Mr.. O'Mara?
"Well, no." is the reply. II wanted
Some-but never mind now. I'll come
down for it after awhile" That is
the way they shop in Cherry Hill.
So Herman hands the book over with
out a word. Even then Mr.. O'AIara
remained in the store over an hour,
talking politics with Herman during
dull spells and chatting with the GUS
:omers.
With a loud "Hallo, Herman, how's
things?" the type Of the east side
tough girl enters. Not bad girl
simply natural and in keeping with
her surroundings. Born on Murray
Hill, she would be an ingcnue.
The dummy makes mock attempt
at kissing her. Her fist lands on his
neck. sending him spinning, and he
laughs coarsely and pretends he is
hurt.
"Get out, you bum!'' she says. "I'h
make yer dizzy if yer come near me-"
Then in the same breath, the incident
entirely forgotten, Say, Herman, gim-
he two cents worth Of starch
She flips two pennies on the counter.
makes a jab at Herman as he hands
ner the package, and is about to leave
when she spies basket Of apples.
"Say, Herman, gimme an apple?"
She picks one up and is about to bite
t.
Gent apiece" says Herman.
"Well, you won't sci no cent from
ne"
I'll put it down.
carr, If yer put It down I'll crack
yer face
"Yes, I will"
She throws the apple back, and gets
as far as the door. The temptation is
too great. She comes back, takes the
apple, bites big piece, and says def.
antly:
"Well, put it down if you want ter.
Vat do care:"
The apple is charged, and the incl