Evening journal., 1898-12-22
FROM HOTEL no HORSE Ter.
The Decnmping Treasurer of Benefit
Fuad Changes Quarters-To New
York b. Rough ssuses.

Two men met in Broadway. one cl
whom had left the west sevc raj yeurs
ago; the the other had just arrived.
How are things?" asked the several
years man.
Hard lines, old man, hard lives. and
a good many of them. Bottom fell out
OF everything undertook, and went
with the bottom every time. But beat
the game on the very last round, and
as l did 1 scooted; but do you know you
are liable to be arrested il you are
caught here with me. You might
fIay in an alibi later, but would be up
against it for keeps until they got the
swag, and the game is to keep it dark
for ny friend. He doesn't know where
/ am. He thinks am a thief, but he
doesn't dare kick where he Is, because
If they get me he gets nothing. And
dhn't hold on to IL forever, you know.
i can't starve while / am holding o
pocket OF rocks down for my friend TO
show up. So while won in the last
round / am still on the iron works, and
the stoker is putting on more coal"
what was the game?" asked the
several years man as soon as he had an
opportunity to cut out his former
friends run of talk.
why, I was receiver OF benefit fund,
You know Tomdiek. Always hard up.
And always had something in the wind
at the same time. Well, he had played
everything and l am sorry to say every
kody. He couldn't have got button
hole on credit II they had been giving
them away. Butsomehow. don't know
how, and ! never will, he got up bene-
ft for himself. and all the talent
Clipped in with the distinct under
standing that he was to give everyone a
bite at the bag. | don't know how il
was. but was the only man in town
who would act as treasurer. OF course
there were others but they didn't suit
our old friend. whose name is not Tom.
dick. but you know who I mean. I've
Pot SO am afraid TO tell my own name.
Everyone who was I'm the benefit came
TO me in advance and told n pitiful
story that was enough to make the flesh
on the weather vane take water. ] was
nearly sorry had consented to act,
(; but Tomdick braced me up by saying:
Don't forget your neck. Now give il
TO en- he says. That made me re-
vengeful and l chewed my teeth.
"The benefit was Sunday night so
there was no other competition. Itwas
in public hall, so as not TO prejudice
the church crowd. / never saw such n
c,,,cI I,o.-,11e,r az, E,,ff1t,,r. l.,,1,ro1
and at one time il looked as II we'd have
10 hold an overloww meeting. When
I shut the window and barred It there
were more than n thousand people try
ing to get past the ticket taker with
'squidglins' that / had sold them for
seats. When got TO my hotel with The
swag I looked as IL l was deformed;
money was sticking out OF my clothes
everywhere. The clerk says to me;
"'Did you see nap
"'see who?' says I. No; didn't sec
anybody
"'Said he was the lawyer for the bene
fits and had constable with m. Bet
ter take another room. Here's key tc
parlor A.
"'Nixey,' says 7. With that l rushes
20 my room, gets my bag and maclkin
tosh and umbrella and pulls out. THAI
night l slept in a horse lot That
right. And Iva Travelled here every
way--freight trains, canalboats, even,
way except the right way and loade,
Y with money. Think of 1t. old mani An,
for all my pains and sufrerings I'm lin
BILE TO be nsbbed by the benefciarie
and my friend as well. / can explain Il
TomdiclS If ] can see him. but. grea
Caesars ghost, how do know wher
he is2 can't hold on to the stuff al
ways. Tia feeling l am having vii
keep me from stealing as long MS live
Treasurer of the benefit fund tonight
but as Richard would say; Where to
morrow ButI got even with the towI
Oh man; I got even with the town.
" Y. Sun.