The San Francisco call., 1897-09-19
OnIu a Few Need Money
to Buy
Nocossarios Of Lite

filled his pockets with the sweets he befan
eating at lively rate, whistling the latest
songs of the day at the same time. EYi-
IDENTIFY he was happy.
The next appeal was made by an oid
man. He asked for cents, if l could
spare no more. my wife and little girl
are in a room up here and none OF US has
had thing to eat since morning" he sad
in faltering voice And l thought saw
tears in his eyes. He took the % cents
and was most profuse in his thanks. I'm
medlately ne started across the park and
up Washington street. A Chinese store
was still open and he bought can of
corned beef and a loaf of bread, afterward
continuing his way up the street.
Just before reaching Stockton street he
stopped before an old building, on which
there was ''for rent" sign. Assuring
himself that it was tbs right place he as
cended the creaking and dusty stairs L
listened at the foot some moments, ana
then heard child's voice cry, "Oh, papa,
did you get US something to eat?' This
assured me that all was we'll and went
up. There was no light except what came
through dirty window from a street
lamp, but 1 could hear voices in front
room and knocked at the door.
instantly all became silent, and called
that 1t was all right. Slowly the door
opened. "Please don't make US get out!"
came from the old man and the child at the
same time. An electric light Illuminated
the room very WE'LL and I could see the
occupants plainly. All were eating raven
ously, the child, a bright little girl, Civ
ing vent to cries of delight every few mo-
ments. The woman was cuddlee up in
corner and had nothing to say She ap-
peared to be an Indian.
Nobody was in the house, so we lust
took the room for the night" The old
man explained. "We won't hurt noth-
ing"
There was no furniture in the room and
only few articles and carpet-bag rep
resented the famiIy's property. 1 offered
to take the family over 20 hotel and pay
for room for them, but they all begged
to be given the money instead. 1--WE will
do very we'll here, and the money will
buy US something to eat tomorrow"
gave the money and returned to Kearny
street.
1t was getting on toward midnight,
when little girl not more than twelve
years old asked for money. She was the
picture of misery, poorly clad and hungry
looking. "Only five cents please" But
[ gave her twenty five cents, and she dis.
appeared down Sacramento street AMI
into saloon. Then she laid the money
on the counter and got in exchange a
bottle of whisky.
This is for mamma" she explained,
when | asked her why she bought whisky
when she needed other things so badly
"Where does your mother live? I ked.
THAT'S her business" the child replied.
as she started down Sacramento street
followed and saw her turn the corner OF
Montgomery. L kept her III sight until
she reached Jackson street, where she dis
appeared in dark allev and | lost her.
Before got back to Kearny street again
wreck OF once strong man made an ap-
peal. ~ am starving and sick" he said.
"Give me dime for food, ii you cannot
spare enough to pay for nights Iodg-
ing" The pale face and sunken eyes told
a story of misery. The shiverlng form in
dicated broken constitution.
He got his % cents, and few moments
later he entered a drugstore. ''Two-bits
worth of C'' is all he said, but il told his
story.
One o'clock had struck, and the street.
were almost deserted. Surely there will
be no more beggars. But l was wrong.
Say, boss, kin you help a fellow to git a
bed2 L amt had nothing to eat since
yesterday"
turned toward where the voice came
from and saw my acquaintance of the early
evening whom l Ead left IN a state of
stupeiaction on a bench in old City Hall
Park. But didn't help him to get bed.
WILL SPARKS.