Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1897-01-07

| deposited on the floor of the warehouse
and sold in the regular way. Messrs.
P. standing guard to see that it brings
profit. The Pinhooker is looked up
on by the regular buyers very much
the same as is the "copper"" in a Ger.
tain game ] remember having heard
the unregenerate youth discussing
Cairo. or something of that sound,
it is called. His presence is not de-
sired, but he often gets there. just the
same.
! A most singular thing here befell
me. AS was leaving the building
with my friend. overheard the words.
''Ironton, Missouri. Iquickly turn
ed my glance to the speaker. He was
an utter stranger, talking 10 several
attentive listeners. warninely rails
| raised my hand to my friend, and We
stopped near enough to hear, though
in such position as to be unnoticed and
,, our presence unheeded.
YES" said the speaker, .'he claim
ed to be a merchant from Ironton, Mis-
souri,, and have no reason to doubt
that he gave his correct address. His
name cannot recall just now. though
it was not an unusual one. He was a
rather good-looking man, full six feet
high, weighing not far from 175
pounds, and possibly over ff,y years
old. / think he was a widower. but.
though perfectly at home among the
ladies. and rather favorite, his ac-
tions were not those of q man seeking
their society with serious intentions.
He was an entertaining companion
with the sterner sex, too, and bore the
air of man of the world. That he
allowed himself to be buncoec in the
manner am about to relate. is not so
very singular, for Atlantic City is the
ne 1lus ultra resort of sharpers as we'll
as society people, and we all have our
unguarded moments. Tis opportuni-
ty that makes or mars a man or wo-
man, anyway.
The gentleman-those who knew
him from his sojourns in former years
called him Captain-hsd been out to a
wine supper with a few cougenial
spirits, and was on his return to the
hotel in complacent mood. Though
we'll in the night, the board walk was
bright in the glare of the electric
lights. and the crowds, albeit a little
thinned. full of motion aud life. He
observed. as he passed along. g figure
in front Of him, walking with weak ir-
regular step, halting anon. and then
resuming his uncertain way. dragging
his feet along as If from WEAKNESS and
exhaustion. Presently he fell prone to
the ground and lay there motionless.
The Captain, his naturally charitable
instinct perhaps little warmed by
his recent convivality, FASTENED to the
fallen man. He found him feebly
breathing. raised his head from the
ground. and after several piteous
groans from the object OF his care, sue
ceeded in placing him, weak and wab-
bling. upon his feet.
What is the matter, my man. the
Captain sympathizingly asked; have
you had ftp
The man was indeed most pitiful
specimen of the noblest work. His
face was lean. sallow, cadaverous; his
nose exceedingly prominent; his eyes.
deep suuken under a low, wrinkled
forehead, shoue with unnatural fre.
| His form was thin and shrunken as with
famine or sickness, or both. He was
poorly clad in dirty trousers and the
remains of what had once been a dust
or and no sigu of shirt collar or wrist
band was visible-at least, not in the
hickering electric light.
.''Have you had n fit, or are you
suffering from recent illness?' again in
quired the Captain.
'N-n-po-am j-j-just weakm
Weak! I may well believe that.
but from what causeP'
..For f-f-four days said the poor
fellow, pressing his hand upon his
stomach, .n-n-not a mouthful have
eaten: And for s-six weeks b-b-before
that only two m-m-meals a week!
".Great Scott! Can such things be
in this land of plenteous crops and
overproduction? exclaimed the Cap
tain. Thirteen meals 10 seven weeks
Thirteen! 'Tis al unlucky number
lffieud, and'-the inmost recesses o
his heart gushing at the thought
we'll hasten to add another ere it i:
too late. Can you walk a little way
with my assistance?
-. o. thank you. kind sir! | w-wil
try
..TerderIy as mother guides the 10
fantile steps of her youngest, did th'
Captain assist bis faltering. haltint
proteee to the nearest restaurant, ant
in a trice had him seated before |
. meal which actually was made Il
emasculate the whole bill of fare. in
4 she p;ra.list