The evening tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 189?-190?, 1897-07-10
A LAST FAVOR.

was puht nluhlKnt ana was nurfylhB
along and did not notice him until he
spoke.
"will you leave this at The Planet Of
nce for meY"
This was fiat envelope which he held
out 60 mo, with Tho Planet, Planet square,
written on II, and In ono corner tho fam
iliar 'News--immediate. hesitated a
moment and said. "Why, certainly" and
took 1t from him.
"Thank you," no said. "It's the last
favor shall ask any one"
The sentence ended In half sob.
turned and looked at THO man more close.
ly. A very scedy fellow In a very scedy
suit, with an odor of stale tobacco hang.
ing about him, II not ordinarily an inter
esting personage, but my professional In
stinct was aroused
Here perhaps was material for a story.
IL might be worked up into u thrilling
tale. Clearly 1t was my duty to inquire
modestly into his situation and assist him
with my advice.
"Did you say The Asteroid ofilceS'
said /.
pride myself on this opening. When
the conversation has stopped and you wish
to continue It, but oan think Of Rothing
that does not seem silly Or impertihent, II
IL always In order to pretend you have
mistaken your companions meaning In
this case IL succeeded even better than
usual
"No. The Planet, The Planet They
must have 1t first. would not have The
Asteroid get 1t, q good item like that, and
exclusive too"
This was encouraging. He was news
paper man, that was plain enough, but
why didn't he take his copy to the office
himself instead Of loafing here on the
bridget
The plot was thickening. 1t would
probably work up best for The Weekly.
They liked something sensational
$50 you are In the fourth estates us.
TO do little In that way myself"
said this because remember reading
in Emerson or the Bible or somewhere
that 1t creates subtle sort of Freema
sonry between persons when they find that
they have worked at the same craft. In
my youth l used to fold papers in a coun
try town.
"Yes, was reporter, but that is my
last item. Stop!' he exclaimed suddenly.
"You are not reporter now, are youf'
"N0; have not been reporter for some
time" replied, with perfect candor.
"Then I can trust you with this, and
since you have consented to do me favor
will tell you what you are about to ask,
the substance Of the item.
"It is an account of a man who commit
ted suicide by jumping from the Black
friars bridge 1t Is o perfect piece Of news,
giving the mans name, correctly spelled.
his residence, names of relatives, motives
for the rash act and ALL"
"When did 1t take piaoef'
ut hasn't taken place at all Jet. II
will take place at 1915 tonight"
"But, butt stammered.
"How do know about itY" he broke In
because I'm the man. Do you under
stand nowf I'm going to kill myself to
night I've no friend In the world but my
paper, and I'm going 70 do 1t the only good
turn In my power BY giving 1t q correct
ard exclusive piece Of news"
T The man was surely crazy, but the story
was coming on finely. must humoI
him.
"Good!" said /. "It's capital ideal"
thought Of applying my maxim and tell
ing him that had committed suicide my
self in my youth, but reflected that In
his excited state he might not believe me.
His story must have at any cost.
"Come," went on. "Come with me tc
my rooms just across the bridge and have
something to eat. It's-it's-it's awfully
unhealthy to go into water on an empty
stomach"
The man looked at me as II he thought ]
was crazy too, but excused it on account
of his perturbod mind. He followed me,
however, and as we walked on In silence !
hugged myself as thought Of the mate
rial was gathering
Besides the article for The Weekly, which
had now decided to expand into a serial,
the incident would also make an excellent
article for The Psychological Journal.
might also change the facts a little,
have him crazed by strong drink and work
II up for temperance paper with the title
"The Bottle and the Bridge; True Story
Founded on Facts" The possibilitie-
were simply endless.
good fire, some cold meat pie, bread
and cheese and a glass of hot whisky
punch soon loosoned his tongue, and had
him talking nationally enough. He had
been journalist for 10 years, he said, had
worked on all the leading papers of Man.
chester and London and had barely made
enough to support himself and an invalid
mother.
When we parted, It was past Q o'clock,
and he had promised me to give up his
fatal purpose. Rejecting that had Sc
cured material from him for no end of
good work, gave way to my generous
impulses and pressed half sovereign into
his hand.
Heaven bless you," he said. "You
have saved my life!''
Circumstances prevented me from work
ing up my material for several days, but
my head was full Of II all the time, and
when sat down at my desk deciding to
write the first serial the plot was clearly
outlined In my mind.
Iwrote till late at night and then, accord
Ing to my custom, went out for walk.
My feet turned involuntarily toward the
scene Of my late adventure.
walked out upon the bridge, and az
neared the middle saw two persons en-
gaged In conversation almost on the very
spot where had been tho humble means
Of saving human life few nights be-
fore.