The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-02-18
a STOLEN PIE.

hours. He was absolutely penniless. Al
he walked up Fifth avenue, clad in fash.
ionable suit Of clothes, with a shiny silk
hat on his head, few people could suspect
that be was suffering for want Of food.
He pursued his course up Fifth avenue
and finally reached Central park.
Weak and faint, but still maintaining
an Indifferent mien, he entered the park.
He strolled along its shady lanes, pausine
at some water fountain to quench his
thirst.
He sat down at intervals and rested his
weak limbs, but the act Of sitting seemed
to remind him more of his hunger.
1t is hard trial for young, vigorous
and healthy man to 60 for any great length
of time without food, and especially SO in
rich, populous city. If he had been
dressed in rags, he would have begged, but
1t was utterly impossible for him to do
that with his present appearance.
After awhile.he found himself In a very
secluded part Of the park. He seated him
self on bench by the lake. The birds
were gayly singing overhead, there was a
fragrant scent of flowers in the air, the
waters were rippling and sparkling, and
tho swans and ducks were disporting
themselves on the breast Of the lake. The
sounds Of childish laughter and merry
shouts were waited to his ears. He felt
moody and respondent; he wished he were
swan or duck, or bird-in fact, anything
but human being. He cursed fate; he
cursed everything MY God, he thought,
"how would like q morsel Of food" He
felt like committing robbery, murder,
any crime at oil, only something that
would bring him food.
A light footstep near him aroused him
from his reverie There before him stood
fat, chubby, rosy checked little child,
gazing at him with wide, staring eyes. In
his plump little hands he held q large
homemade pie.
Driscoll started up. The sight of that
pie was most tantalizing In Its effect upon
him. How he would like to eat It'll
There was no one in the immediate vi
cinity, no one to observe him. The child
was fat and well fed, and he (DriscolD was
starving.
He arose and approached the child. "My
little man." said he, smiling as graciously
as it was possible for him to do, "come
here"
What have you there, my dearp" said
Driscoll, "piep"
eth, thir," lisped the little one.
"Let me see it, baby" he said, but the
little one shook his head and held the pie
behind his back.
Come" said Driscoll, won't baby let
me see its pier"
The child gravely gave a negative shake
of the head.
please let uncle see 1t" said Driscoll
coaxingly and at the same time making
ON effort to take 1t.
mo, no; me ANTS 1t, -" said baby.
"Let me have It,, said Driscoll impa-
tiently.
The little one made movement as
though to run away.
Tired of importuning the baby and fear.
full lest Its mother or nurse should appear
and spoil his opportunity, he suddenly
bent his face close to that Of the child. As.
Stunning the most diabolical and forbidding
expression it was possible for him to do,
he Kissed out, "Give me that pie; give me
that pie quick, or I'll murder and eat you,
quickl'
The child gavea terrified scream, let the
pie drop at Driscoll's feet and soampered
down side path as rapidly as his short
little legs could travel, Driscoll quickly
picked Tho pie up, held it in one hand,
which he placed in the breast of his coat,
and sauntered nonchalantly away. In
few moments he heard in the rear Of him
the little child: "There he goes nussey;
there he goes, nussey. He got my pie"
Nonsense, child" said female voice,
"that gentleman did not take it. 1t was
some one else"
The child persisted in his statement, but
the nurse refused to believe 1t, and mean
while Driscoll had passed beyond hearing
He wanted to find some quiet spot where,
he could eat his stolen pie,
but everywhere he went he found one or
more persons. At length he reached a
very secluded out of the way corner, and,
sitting himself on the grass, drew forth
his precious pie.
The righteousness of the thing now
strucF him, and he burst into hearty
peal of laughter. He held the pie at arms
length and looked at 1t. He was just about
to place it to his mouth; but, alas and
hHch, euerc 10 many bhp UWlAb CUP
and lipp' A great, large Newfoundland
dog at this juncture jumped from a clump
of bushes, snatched the pie from his hands
and bounded swiftly away.
Poor Driscoll! All the merriment fled
from his heart at once. His pie was gone.
am afraid he gave vent to his feelings In
rather more profane language than IT
would be we'll to record here.
Fate is against me, he sadly muttered
~ he arose to his feet and walked away.
my God" he thought, "have I got to
starve to death surrounded by plenty? II
Is pretty hard. Well, will hold up as long
Is have strength, only 1t is hard DEATH"
When he turned out of the park, it was
we'll along in the afternoon. He wandered
along the streets, scarcely know.
ng in which direction he was going.
As he passed a certain house he heard a
childish voice in his rear e1claim, Papa,
oapa, there is the man that took my pie!"
Turning, he beheld the identical little
,hild whose pie he had taken clinging to |
he hand of q gentleman, evidently just re. |
urning from business.
The gentleman's face seemed familiar,
md no sooner had he scanned Driscoll's |
than he cried out, "John
)riscoll, how are your" and at the same
lime held out his hand for the other to
AXE. This Driscoll did, and as remem.
frances came to his brain he recollected |
N old college chum and a warm friend. |
Charley Vaughn" he cried, II am de-
lighted to see you"
1t was a particularly happy meeting for
)riscoll. After some conversation Vaughn
invited him in, and ere long Driscoll relat-
d the whole story of the pie over glass
+ wine. Vaughn was immensely amused.
He insisted upon Driscoll remaining
Nth him until certain remittances arriv-
d and loaned him sum of money to tide
i'm over his present difficulties.
As Driscoll remarked, however, it was
fortunate and opportune theft for him to
OBJ Yaughn's child Of the pie-Edward