The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1897-07-24
O<N- $50 % q % 80
Z WILLIAMS SPREE. !
< BY houise Boynton. Z
eAo~oNe@-eo~Do~o~o~s
yKTILLIAM PLUMBER was walking

home from the corner. In one hand he
carried a small parcel done up in brown
paper. With the other, which was in
his pocket, he jngled the remainder OF
his weeks earnings. This sum he in
tended TO give to Melissa his wife to lay
by.
His face was thin and cndavcrous.
His clothes, though respectable, were
neither new nor of n very recent cut.
He went at n sober, Flooding gait, and
one hand was always in his pocket He
had the reputation of being very close.
His eyes alone contradicted the general
expression of his lean aspect. They
were blue, childlike, mildly curious,
and kind.
Williams homeward way led him past
Hulrs, recent acquisition to Centre
Vile. A solid front glass, brilliantly
lighted displayed the whole interior of
the store to the enraptured gaze OF the
street. On the left side was show
case In which was exhibited n distract
ing array OF candies and frosted cakes.
On the right marble soda fountain,
running the whole length of the coun-
ter, was gorgeous with silver-plated
knobs and spigots. Pure fruit Juices
and ice cream were offered. Seats were
placed for customers along the front of
tho counter, and there were silver
plated holders for the glasses.
IL was believed that Hull's was as
fine an establishment as any 10 be found
in the city. But opinions were divided
as TO the durability Of such place
Some denounced IL as tending 10 levity
and extravaganza; others maintained
that Il was n powerful rival OF the liquor
stores, and therefore to be encouraged.
William had no opinion either way.
He always passed HulPs with gaze OF
grave, impersonal curiosity. lie looked
at the gay windows and the glories with
I'm. not as he would have looked at a
quarter of basket OF Seeding potatoes,
but rather as the tourist regards the
Dope's palace. IL was spectacle out
side the beat of his possible experience.
On this OCCASION, however, he was
greeted iovially by group of young fell
lows who were hanging about the door
They were lively, idle youths, with no
object In life but the vague design OF
amusing themselves, and they eyed
William with considerable glee. The
meager, slouching form, the infinitesi'
NAL package that represented his weeks
marketing, the hand in his trousers
pocket. tenderly juggling his remaining
silver pieces and coppers, all these ad
vertised with beautiful unanimity VIII
liam's weak point. The boys assailet
Al forthwith.
"Hello, Plumberi come In and trea
us" said Bob Fiske, the tallest and mos
influential Of the group. The other
echoed the cheerful invitation, and the,
oil began TO crowd around their victim
pressing him 20 remain and be thei
host
William gazed from one grinning fac
10 another without the least resent
ment. "Not tonight" said he, soberly
-Ihaven't time to stop" And he plodde
on into the darkness.
Such passive game was tacitly vote
~no fun;" the boys instantly foun
something else TO engage their after
tlon; but TO William the little inc
dent was Of much Importance. IL wa
not often that anyone asked him 10
anything. even In joke. lie was nc