The San Francisco call., 1897-05-16

where it loses its glee and sighs on its
way into the City.
Along the road just ahead OF me
man and woman struggled against the
elements. The winds brought their voices
to me clearly and distinctly.
"It's cold, Jlm," she was saving, lawful
to be out in this wind. Now, If you didn't
have to 60 back again this afternoon
she hesitated and glanced at him-''f you
didn't you know, I'd build a fire for you
in the front room."
He maze no response, but trudged on
with his hands in his pockets and looked
out to sea.
II could wheel the lounge up, she went
on, grooming softly, with note OF antici-
pated contentment in her voice, land it
would be so warm and nice and cozy. If
you only could"
81 told you 1 couldn't" be said shortly.
"Yes; l know" she answered with the
little bird mote of content all gone.
She Rugged the big bundle she was
rying closer, and struggled to keep her
hat on. I'D best get the clothes to soak,
! suppose, she said. ut will be easier"
They walked on and went up the few
steps of one of the plain, worn houses
and disappeared through the low door.
A schooner was proudly tacking out to
sea, with the wind dashing itself against
the widespread sails with a sound like the
boom OF cannon, and the sun spark
ling on the waters all about her. Behind
her the graceful pilot boat No. danced
over the waves with rare enjoyment. Be-
yond rose the green. brown hills, peaceful
IL. e., IL of tha
wind or the moving mass OF water.
young girl was approaching and she
stopped when she saw me and stood gaz-
ing with the placid expression of a rumi-
mating bovine. She chewed gum, too,
calmly and Extensively. and L might have
found other points of similarity, but
well, she had freckIes as large as ginger
snaps, and those no cow ever had.
'Do you live out here?" l asked.
"My sister does. l stay sometimes.
Why"
She snapped it out and dispelied all
idea of placldity.
alt is pleasant" 1 ventured, wrapr =
my skirt about me to keep it in its proper
place, and wondering if the feathers were
sewed securely on my hat.
mo, it ain't-but 1t might be worse.
Everything might be worse,'' said this
the location of her gum to her pocket
handkerchief. That's what told sister.
She might not have the washing to do.'
"Washing2"
Yes, you know, they get paid for doing
the washing for the barracks. 1t amt
easy work and / wouldn't marry an en-
listed soldier and live up here for nothing;
but it's worse to go without the money.
They don't have more than $40 a month
besides, and usually about ten children to
feed"
There amt anything in this world
what it looks like" she went on. when
my sister was married l couldn't take my
eyes off OF the uniform-the blue suit and
the cap and the brass buttons were too
much for me. My highest am pition was
TO marry man that could wear EN-"
"What changed your" asked.
''Wash-tubs." =" she replied. "There
WASH hint of 'em in his looks, but it
don't take long to find them when you
get out here
The houses were bare enough and small
enough.
a woman came and opened the door,
the while wiping her hands and wrists on
her apron.
ga drink of water2 Certainly; come
in"
She led me through the small front
room and into the kitchen. A baby sat in
a high chair, one bit older played about
on the floor, and third stood in the door
way and stared.
He won't come in," the mother said
when spoke to him; "he just tore his
pants and the braid is hanging down. I've
just been scolding him.
I'VE never take the braid off the
clothes before we make them over for the
children. 1t shows the faded portions too
badly. So they wear the stripes the same
as their fathers"
"And they are proud of them?'
''Some times" she laughed, "there is
nearly as much rivalry among the chill
dren as among the men. The private's
son, without any stripes, is often made
quite miserable"
She was tall woman with q pleasant
face, but one free from discomfort only
when she laughed. 1 fancied an air of
unsuita bility in her manner-her way of
speaking and her voice did not sound in
place.
Have you lived in the city always?"
sOnly a few years. l came from the
country-a country schoolteacher. Things
change" she said. II get very home
sick for the green hills and the meadows
sometimes.
She LOOKED at the bleak sand as we
stood on the steps, and shivered as the
cold wind caught her.
Il always think OF i. as being so warm
there" she sad. "Good-day."
And l thought of the schooner sailing
gayly out to sea and what great grief she
would come to If she tried to sail down the
road. We were all made for a certain
element and in any other We are miser-
able.
Yet fate settles US oftentimes in the
wrong places aud stands back SIN ling i'm
grim enjoym ent and watches while time
steals away with our hopes and intents
She is quite sure that we will not struggle
against her, and usually she is right.
/ saw him come out OF the house and go
down the road Upward the Presidio. so l
went up and knocked.
Come in" she said, wondering no
doubt what wanted. 1 sat down in the
tiny room with its stuffy furniture and its
geometrically arranged rainbow tides.
| glanced out of the one small window
at the white-capped waves and then back
- the wall opposite, on which hung