The leader. [volume] (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1895-1905, 1897-01-27
A NATTER OF INSTINCT.
BY EVERETT HOLBRoOK.
Copyright. 1911

Fate was cat anu LeOndEu I1tTTlck
was a mouse. There had been some
rare sport, but Herrick was of the opin-
ion that it could not last much longer.
He had run this way and that way and
thousand times he had fancied that
he was going to escape. But always
the velvet paws with the long, sharp
claws springing out of them, had caught
him just in time. So at last he lay still.
painting not knowing which way to
turn.
He was in big city, all alone. The
people who rushed by him were like the
thoughts that whirled through his
brain; they were phadows and the ever
lasting train of them had no beginning
nor end. He could not distinguish the
real men and women whom he saw from
those whom he merely remembered.
Now and again there appeared in the
throng the faces of the dead, he didn't
mind those, but there were others that
he shrank from.
He stood with his back against the
iron fence in front Of Trinity church.
There was just light enough in the
western sky to give the pile of stone a
shadow which fell upon hurrying thou
sands who did not notice it.
Herrick's hands were in his pockets.
He crumpled cracking piece of paper
which meant that he could live several
days longer, if he cared to do so. AS
to more extended future, he could
not picture it. All the lines of his life
seemed to end in a knot which could
by no means be united, but must
merely be dropped. He remembered
that there were miracles, but he could
not think of one to wish for.
From three o'clock till four the crowd
in that part of Broadway is rich and
prosperous; from four till five it boasts
OF wealthy connections and takes a
strong interest in life; after five it loses
caste rapidly, and by six it is lot of
weary people going home to supper.
Herrick felt the degeneracy of the
throng without really seeing it. II a
whole street full of people could get
shabby in an hour, was it any wonder
that he had done it in five years?
He crossed broadway and walked
down Wall street, slowly and with hes
itation, for he had no errand. A voice
cried Cab, sir!" almost in his ear.
he turned and looked up at the man on
the box.
is it possible" he said to himself,
that / still look like a gentleman"
he felt toward the cabman as toward
one who had given him helping hand.
Why not pay the debt? To do so would
cost him only day of his life. He had
hFe-dollar bill in his pocket.
Yes" he said; take me up to the
Fifth Avenue hotel"
1t was the first place that had come
INTO his mind. He got into the cab,
and snapped the door. The cushioned
seat and the comfortable support for
MS head were very refreshing. A
fancy came to him that he would dine
uecently and then go to a theater. The
extravagance would be trifling, for 1t
was really Of smallimportance whether
ne starved to death on Sunday or the
following Wednesday. He was In
mood to make a Jest of 1t all.
A strong glare from an electric light
struck down into the carriage, and
made visible to him package In
orown paper, that looked as II 1t might
&c sandwich. The object protruded
from under the seat. He thought it
must be the cabman's supper which
aad been hidden in some small locker
ana had fallen upon, the floor. The idea
mat the food should be spoiled was dis
igreeable to Herrick, and SO he picked
Up the little brown bundle.
II was smaller than he had supposed,
and it did not feel like bread. But had
y been food and he at the last pang OF
Harvation, the touch Of it would not
nave sent such . thrill through all his
frame.
he knew that the contents of that
Package was money. II felt like mass
y pills folded, awkwardIy wrapped up
rnd fastened with elastic bands.
through the brown covering Herricx
sOuid feel the crispness of the govern
uent paper. The amount might be a
p0or mans monthly wages or rich
1ans profit on eyeat TRANSACTION.
As to his own CONDUCT in this matter,
snefrick had no doubt whatever. Fate
ssa thrown the money into his hands,
.ao late might take It away. but not II
= could hold on tightly enough. His
a1eers trembled - BE picked At the
s,ssiic bands. suddenly and without
MS knowinU whx fka r,.ll,~v. ekrinca