The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-08-28
THE LOSING OF NSOFTER.
my o GORDON AND NE. HOPKINS
HATE EACH OTHER.

D..erted Hiua in South Brooklyn-Nar
Hopkins Then Circumnavikatsd he CITY
and Col. Gordon Made a Foroed March,
This thing happened before Col. Robert
Gordon went to Staten Island and while he
Tas still living up near the southwest corner Of
Central Park. 1t happened ct about the time
samuel Hopkins bought . bicycle per
mitted It to lead him into notorious comph-
cations. They took McsoftAr along for bait.
The plan was thus put into words By Col
Gordon:
Park" he said. and before We get there Wen
make Mcsofter think he invited US and IL re-
sponsible for the alienation OF our hunger and
thirst. He IL paid on on Saturday afternoon.
and as the clothing stores are closed at noon
ON Saturday and do not reopen until Monday
morning he will have his entire $3.50 with
him on Sunday. He won't have had n chance
10 spend a cent.
"On the way home we will lose MCsofter.
YouIl come home with me for the night. Mrs..
q. will have q largo quantity Of ice and things
waiting for us"
.Tralalool" said Mr.. Samuel Hopkins. He
had ricked up this vulgar method Of signiiying
assent from certain bloomer-wsarinE persons
whom he had observed on the cycle path.
The trouble began on the way back from
Blth BeHpn. MUbOlICE luu buCSuuhOou va
gratifying promptness to the insi6ious suGGes-
lions OF his companions that he was their host.
But as his SALARY had been raised. without
their knowledge. from $3.50 to S21.25. IL took
him rather longer to spend said salary than the
time allowed on their original schedule. ThS
sun was well down oward the western hori-
zon when they started home.
The process Of losing McSofter was well adj
vanced when Col. Gordon remarked to Mr.. Hop
Lins in a ~plnyfully cynical tone:
II observe. Hopkins, that no lamp il at
tarhed 10 your wheel. l dont know what the
customs Of the Brooklyn police are. but you
cannot ride through New York at night with
out one"
They rode on for y while in thoughtful Sc
lence.
Il fear" said Mr.. Hopkins. that we must wait
for MrSotter to come up"
"Why?' asked the Colonel.
He mas a amp" said Mr.. Hopkins.
They perched on n curbstone and awaited their
recent hosts coming. It was much nearer
dark when he arrived. He rode as though
il we're very dark indeed. The road a. he
saw 1t and tried to follow it seemed to be .
succession Of eccentric curves.
Il think you fellows are o beasty mean
brace OF cads." he snufled as he climbed down
from his wheel and dropped against Q tree
box. Really. l do. you know. after 1 have
invited Tou fellows out here and have drunk
a great lot OF that beastly imported small beer
more than l wanted to. Just because I didn't
feel that It would be hospitable to fall behind
you fellows. And 1 don't believe. you know.
that the stun agrees with me at all"
Mr.. Hopkins drew q nat brown flask from
his pocket.
Mac" he said. tenderiy. you need to be
. ~ sLl- .N.R ill a. IL
happen TO have this"
He happens" Clipped in Col. Gordon. TO
have this whiskey because his wheel broke
down in front OF q RaInes law hotel in West
chester the other day and he had to go in to
borrow some tools. He felt that he ought to
return the favor in some way. and 50 bought
this whiskey. You may continue. Mr.. Hop
kins."
Mr.. Hopkins ignored him and silently
passed the bottle to McSofter. who took three
big swallows in succession.
You haven't any club soda about you. I
suppose?' he said. plaintively- "It seems so
beastly vulgar this way"
The Colonel and Mr.. Hopkins waited in
silence.
DO you feel better nowi" asked Mr.. Hop
kins anxiously after q while.
NO" murmured McSofter, vaguely. II
don't believe ! do
He dug his heels into the roadway as though
II were tipping up and he was afraid Of sliding
to the other side. His footing gave way. and.
with a roll and 4 scramble. he landed against
the opposite tree box. The Colonel and Hop
EiIs followed.
Now. Mcsofter." said Mr.. Hopkins. Took at
your wheel. You have Just said nan un-
worthy things to us regarding your generosity.
and hospitality. Will you kindly tell Us how
many lamps there are or your wheelf"
McSofter raised his weary head and looked
at the wheel on the other side Of the road with
severe nonchalance.
Two" he said. only two. Two lamps.
Funny. Only had one when I started"
Il" said Mr.. Hopkins. Am without a lamp.
] am threatened with arrest. disgrace. and i'm
prisonment for want Of a lamp. Yet you have
$w eli S %Inauirssd nI NJ. GHcso %s SUDDEN sSddeSify o,
Will you let me have one Of them'" asked
Certify surel" said Mcsofter. and Pill
lowed his head against the soft iron tree box
With gentle .subdped chuckles Mr.. Hopkins
attached McSotter's lamp to his own wheel. and
i hs p si5o she Of fS SSath B B2Se away AZ lHtf Th fhs gaahls5hi
HoIkins,s wheel refused TO burn. The wick
narel: then became q glowing coal. and
I fear" said Col, Gordon, with an inhuman
grin but family disguised behind . mask Of
home"
I'm hanged il / will said Mr.. Hopkins.
Perhaps" said the Colonel. you. prefer TO
charter a hack. 1t will cost you only q little
more than McSofter has .chesrfulIy spent this
afternoon on our entertainment"
Mr. Hopkins took from his pocket that eX-
salient hand60ok entitled Guide t2r the Sim;
he made a few rapid calculations on the mar
GIN and looked up in triumph.
can get home for Just 40 cents and By O
walk OF six blocks" he said.
l wouldn't for a m suggest," sneered
SoL Gordon, that you were crazy. Nor would
! intimate that 1t would be simpler to buy oil
Buy OIL" exclaimed Mr.. Hopkins. "and In
Ibr0qHlyn on sunday Colonel. you seem to
Praise the Lord!,. said the Colonel. II
cont remind myself OF q cholera microbe
eVgeTy time look into a looking glass.",
,rd Inc cruel thrust vent home. All want
~ So HE loan OF 20 cents. l already have half
The Colonel counted out the change.
e. give you this said he to Mr.. Hopkins.
not bepanEA Il haya any lHau NhaN son haya