Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-03-01
WASTED SYMPATHY.
Might rs Well Have Laughed at the
Unfortunate Man Who Fell Down.
Detrolt Free Press


He was turning into Clifford street from
Woodward avenue at a brisk pace, when
his feet left the pavement, and he took
a flyer and came down in a heap. A
dozen pedestrians uttered "Ha! ha! ha"
as they noticed the accident and hurried
on, but one among them, whose solemn
face never showed wrinkle. halted, and
approached the dazed man, who was
then sitting up. and said:
II think your feet struck something,
my friend"
Yes" was the reply.
"And you clawed the air and skGted
around and finally arrived at your present
position. l counted fifteen different men
who laughed, and chuckled, and didn't
care a continental whether you mad
broken any bones or no. L am not that
sort of a man myself / did not even
smile. | saw nothing funny in the way
you grabbed at nothing"
"Well, what do you want?" growled
the victim, as he reached his feet, and
chung TO a post.
II wish TO condole with YOU. sir
never see any fellow-man in trouble With
out at least Offering him kind aad en-
couraging words? Do you think you un-
jointed your spinal column
mo, sir; don't"
II am glad OF IT, It was an awful fan
you had. Your right leg went away over
that way, your left leg way ever this,
and at first sight / thought it was a cow
trying to DANCE a hornpipe. Any legs
broken?"
II don't want any OF your sympa-
thy, sir!" exclaimed the victim, as he
brushed at his clothes.
40? But / am ready to give II to
you or any other person who falls down
as you did. You reached up this way
with your right hand-up this way with
your left-your hat fell off-your hair"
II fell down. and what OF it?" de-
manded the mortified and angry man.
You go along and mind your own BUSH
ness. and I'll attend to miner
MY dear man." soothingly observed
the other. II am sorry to see this out.
burst on your part. out OF sixteen peo-
pie who saw you monkeying with the
buZz-saw I was the sole and only one
who did not burst out with ha! ha, ha.
or u no! no! no! Not one OF them stop
ped to inquire if
who In blazes asked you 10 stop"
my soul, sir-my character-my feel
ing for the unfortunate. While seven
people laughed ha. ha! ha, and eight
others hol no, no! / felt the occasion 10
the news o. the death OF a near and dear
friend. I instantly turned aside and
what in the name OF goodness are you
keeping that up for?'' shouted the fallen
man. II don't want any more of your
talk! I've busted a suspender, and as
soon as I can fix II I shall be ready to
go on. Take yourself of with your con-
dolencev'
Then you are not fatally injuredy'
mot by a BANKED sightr'
"And no bones broken?'
mo, SIR"
II am truly glad. as said before.
When 1 saw you skate TO the riSht--then
to the left-your hair begin 10 curl--your
back to hump up-when / heard you yell
out In your terror I made sure"
Say. l can lick you In two minutes.
and II ever see you again I'll do il. too"
put In the fallen man, az he started on
and disappeared IN the darkness.
That's the way with 'em!' sighed the
solemn-faced man. as he turned away
at last. II did not giggle nor chuckle, and
yet am the only one to feel his wrath''