The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1897-01-07
ON THE PIER HEAD.

The sun had dropped behind the tall
buildings to the west in haze Of dusky
rcd. The night had followed, sullen, cruel
in it's broathless heat. A light came yell
low, turgd, stagnant. 1t was no dawn at
all; the continuation Of the night with yell
low light in place of black-that was all.
From the water the heat rose in torrid
gusts. Not ripple moved on its muddy
surface; green scum floated close by the
docks edge. Slowly the windows of the
buildings facing the river began to glow
yellow with the light of false dawn. In the
distance from church tower came four
raucous bell strokes.
On the roofs of the tenements men stir
red uneasily and women held their chill
dren closer yet to hearts half broken with
the damp, suffocating heat. Instinctively
they sought cooler resting places-they to
whom rest had not come, to whom had
come after day of toll night of misery,
of burning, breathlcss heat
From the side streets they poured, Ian
guidly, despairingly, toward the rivera
long, dull procession of heavy eyed men
and women and wailing babies
1t was not yet dawn. On the pier at
Market street were hundreds. Those above
and below were crowded, too, and still
came others searching for moments rest
before another day of toll in the blistering
sun or sweltering factory began.
On stringcr farthest out from shore
sat a woman holding close in her arms a
child. BY her side lay two older children
deep in sleep. AT her feet stretched the
huge form of the father, his head thrown
back, his chin dropped as in death, his
breathing heavy. The child was crying fit
fully, miserably, and the mothers tired
singsong "Sh- sh-sh," came with fearful
monotony.
This was only one group of half a hun
bred and the sick cry Of the child but
monotone of the chorus of misery and
suffering.
Just above the horizon stole brighter,
hotter, more dazzling yellow light, and
then slowly, calmly, terribly, the sun, "a
big, soaring ball of yellow flame, appeared
above the waters edge. Still not breath
of air came to move the sickening heat
Farther along the dock two men were
fighting The sleeping man stirred uneas
lily and swore softly to himself. A girl,
bright eyed and laughing, sang "Just Tell
Them That You Saw Me- strdently.
"Shut up, can't YEP" called some one
the girl
Then there was silence for moment, or
what passed for silence. Only the wailing
of babes and the croonings Of the mothers
were to be heard.
"Sh-sh- sh- sh," rocked the mother
Whats the matter with itY' asked an
other woman. The question came listless-
ly. 1t was asked out of idle curiosity, not
interest.
"Oh, dunno" said the mother. ITS
sick, l guess. 'Tain't like it to cry fer
nothin."
at don't look healthy"
" Tain't," said the mother shortly.
1.-The doctor says it oughter be took to the
country"
"Mebbe he thinks trip ter Yurrup nd
do it good, retorted the other, with a
short laugh 1t was not II pleasant laugh,
The sun climbed higher, and the men
stirred uneasly. Some rose from the hot
boards on which they had been lying and
wandered disconsolately to the waters
edge. A woman ran swiftly along the
pier. The men looked at her wonderfully
The woman did not look up. Suddenly
she turned and with cry sprang into the
water. The cry was taken up by hun
dred threats before its echo died. One OF
the men plunged into the river after the
woman. He went unenthusastically, as
If he were loath to go, but he went. The
woman was dragged to the shore, fighting
and struggling.
81 won't be saved l won't be saved
Let me bep' she cried, as they got her out
on the dock. With rush she was in the
water again. Once more the man went il
after her. This time she came out uncon
scious. They laid her, face down, on the
dock, and boy ran for n policeman.
The clang Of the ambulance bell awokt
all the sleepers. The young doctor, in hi
! cool looking suit of duck, smiled grimly
as he looked at the woman.
,, "She'll do all right" he said as she wa
carried into the ambulance.
"How's the water, Jack?' called maj
as the wagon drove away.
, "Bullyp said the man who had twic,
jumped to save the woman's life.
Then there came few minutes more o
quiet. The sun, well up now, sent slant
,, ing rays Of flame Sleep was no longe
possible. A faint puff of air came alonl
the river from the south. The men movet
uneasily from group to group.
Through it all the big man had slept
Now he awoke.
"Come home,' he said touching tn
woman roughly on the shoulder. GIVE go
my work to go ter. / want some break
fast"
"Oh, Jim, 1 can't. She's just got t
sleep"
"You mean you WON'T" he retorted.
"Well, then, l WON'T" returned the wo
man doggedly. 81 amt had mite O
G sleep with her all night, an she ain
Q neither till now. I'm a-goin ter let he
> sleep"
"Wot'u do?" growled the man.
Il don't know" said the woman, ant
under her breath she added, 'nor care "
Only women and children were left OIL
! the dock now. The breeze at last cam
i fresh from the south, with breath of tn
> salt sea in it. The children slept heavil
o and restfully, and few of the lines of car
in the mothers faces vanished for the mo
ment Day had truly come ut last.-Chi
cago Post.
= Who Owns the Earth?