The National tribune., 1895-05-30


shelter and enjoy a pipe and the warmth
from the coke fire that glowed in an irol
basket which stood against the open side o
the hut
any occupation called me into various
parts Of New York and the suburbs wher'
sewerage or other road-works were in prog
ress. i was then in q locality none OF tht
sweetest or quietest, and my job was no easy
one. for the inhabitants were prone TO lie.
move, with eye 10 firewood, any loose
timber living about. and the rougber portion
of the community were rather too partial to
playing with the bricks which they mirth-
fully threw at one another's heads, much to
my wrath and fear.
/ had Just settled down for a quiet hour
or two, when man made his appearance in
front of the shelter. He was, perhaps, 81
years old, very thin and pale, with unkempt
hair and beard, and shivering in insufficient
clothing little he had being ragged
and old. His teeth were literally chattering
with the cold, and he had a frightfully hol-
low, hacking cough, as he asked me, in a
lost, forsaken sort of way:
VIII you let me have a warm p
1T was against the contractors rules to
permit anyone in the hut and if the police
found such an outcast there they would
most likely run him in but have heart,
and / could not but take pNy on the poor
shivering fellow before me.
Well, it's against the rules, but you do
seem cold, old chap, so / suppose must let
You come in
Thank you,' said the man, coming in
side. Thank you. j am, indeed very
cold
He sat down on the rough plank by nv
side, holding out his emacated hands to-
ward the fire, and after little while he
evidently felt the benefit of the warmth and
shelter
Seeing this with satisfaction, set about
heating my can of tea over the fire. then
took some cheese and bread and butter from
my basket, and was about TO start on nay
meal, when ] caught sight of the poor fel-
lows eyes looking longingly at the food.
Are you hungry p asked.
"'Tve had nothing for near upon four
nnd-twenty hours was the reply.
So divided my meal with the stranger.
After the repast, the man began nodding,
and fell asleep. ] went out, looked round
the works, and saw that the lamps were all
right, and returned and settled down again,
and my guest did not wake up till the rattle
and rumble of the traffic for Fulton market
got very noisy about o'clock.
The poor chap shook himself together
and thanked me for my kindness, and was
evidently making of, but had been watch
ing him while he was asleep, and had some
how begun to take an interest in him.
There was strange remnant of better days
about the wan, diseased-looking face, which
showed that he was not of the ordinary
tramp class So / restrained him from
going.
"'Where are you off to o?' ] asked him.
The man looked at me as if in wonder
ment at my question.
"'To the Streets he replied, simply.
put few more questions TO him, show
ing him ] wished to he friendly, and got
him to tell me his story.
Shortly, it was that he had been clerk
in a merchants Office. His young wife had
died in childbirth, and his own health had
given way SO that lac lost his situation, and
had been unable TO obtain other employ
ment He had no relatives or friends, and
had gone from bad 20 worse, till he had be-
come an oufcast of the streets; but, as he
woefully put il, he had not long to live. so
1t didn't matter I'm in about the last
stage of consumption now he said, and
shall soon be out of my misery
was bachelor then. living alone. and
quickly determined TO offer the poor chap
shelter, for a day or two at all events, aud
as soon as the wOrkmen arrived and j was
of duty, my strange companion started off
with me to my lodgings.
For over six weeks ] housed and fed
George Rankin, for that was my guests name.
Bit by bit he told me his history and
struggles, but il is not necessary for me TO
mention them, except that his father had been
3 mfser; miser, in q small way, no doubt,
but miser, nevertheless. He had turned
George ont Of doors soon after his mothers
death-she practically starved to death,
George said. The lad was then ONLY ID
years old, and he had never seen his father
since.
" ] got a neighboring dispensary doctor TO
zee TO my friend. Hegave him some physic 10
relieve his cough, but declared that ii was
quite hopeless 10 attempt TO save him, and |
IN the seventh week poor George Rankin /
died
The day previous to his death he gave |
me paper which be took from the lining of |
his coat, where it had been sewed up.
Yen have been a good friend TO me- he |
ssid. About the only friend ever had, and |
can't reray you for your kindness except |
by giving you this ] don't know whether |
it win BE- any good to you or not. ! had a |
mind TO destroy it, but thought had bet |
Ger not. 1t is a letter from my father. which |
he wrote shortly before ne died. Although |
he never did his duty by me, he evidently |
kept an eye on me, and knew my where 4
abouis 10 some extent
Read it out loud to me- George added. |
$50 that know you Can make it OUT
took the letter and read
GEORGE: not likely 10 live many DAYS. and
y em thinking about my money. ] can't take a /
with me. would II could. ! dare cay you have 4
no love For me. and would not let you have IA but
~ ~ a pity that anybody eise rhould get IT, You |
thlnk bnre not done my duty by you. tell you /
4 have done more for you than my father did for |
me gave you an education-tbRt is more than r |
rot do not wish TO see you but after am dead
you viii receive this letter 4 have arranged to /
have ~ posted TO you. You will find my money
hid Ia the iop garnet - Trsiram street of ls7th
street. where shall die. ] will not tell YOU where
10 find IT, You were always an iuluAtient Young
wretch. and would not let yom know where il il 1
~ all. but would rather you had II than body
else. loUR FxT8ER
The letter was written in very faint /
ink, in a grabbed, illiterate handwriting,
but ] made il out fairly well.
- got that letter, said George, in Oc- |
tober last and went TO the address he gave.
i managed 20 get into the garret where he |
had lived, and having rented il for a fort |
night, searched everywhere / could thiak |
Of j had the floor boards mp and looked |
and felt up the chimney, and tried every |
conceivable place, but could find no trace
OF any money or anything else; and as ] |
had no means TO pay the rent, ] had 10 give |
IT up. have not told soul about il. as