Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1899-12-23
CRUSTS AND CHRISTMAS.
BY MARION HARLAND.

The story was mine, and thought
| told it at least indiferently well.
| thought, too, that it had in it the
elements of true pathos, Tue reader
may judge OF this last for herself.
Walking along Eleventh street
with friend, we saw man, shah
billy dressed, picked up crust out
of the gutter, brush the dirt from
with his sleeve and begin TO MUNICH
itravenously, seemingly unconscious
of our observation.
l stopped.
care you hungry
"Yes, ma'am."
He did not whine. His answer
was direct, his manner logged, not
obsequeious. Sincerity was stamp
ed all over him.
'tCome with me to Sixth Avenue,
and will give you something bet
ter than crusts to eat," I said.
We walked on, silent. and sad
dened by this glimpse at the "un-
derside of th;ngs.' The tramp
shffiued at our heels. Within a
dozen steps of the avenue my ear
missed the slouching scrape OF bis
ragged shoes. Glaucing over my
shoulder, | beheld him making off
at half run in the direction of
University Place. l was confound
ed, my companion diverted.
she couldn't have been very
hungry" she said. maybe he has
a craze for gutter crusts."
The next Instant we were in sight
OF Jefferson Market Police Court,
and the truth dawned upon me. The
poor wretch suspected that we meant
to land him over to the authorities
as vsgrant. He mistook me Ter
a reformer, when | was simply a
compassionate fellow being.
"But think what experieLc es he
must have had before he could dis
trust every body, and espy snare 10
every kind word and act!' / mourn
ed to my small audience, tower tea
cups"
Then it was that | detected the
lurking smile in Mrs. Lows eyes,
and rebellious twitch of lips she
tried 10 steady.
"What is the joker | demanded
as pleasantly as l could bring my
self TO speak.
Latent ridacule is peculiarly ex.
asperating to storY-teller.
The smile spread downward, the
lips gave way to down right laugh.
Il am laughing at myself-not at
you'll said my visitor. "Almost the
same thing happened TO me last
week in Cortlandt Street, not far
from the ferry. The sidewalk was
crowded with people rushing down
the street for the boats, up, for the
81 and Broadway. They nearly
fell over man who stopped to pick
up crust that had apparently been
thrown from the door o f restau
rant. He was to hungry to notice
the passers-by, but gnawed at the
gfimy morsel as dog tears at q
bone. Two women turned back to
speak to him; my purse was in my
hand when my husband checked me
and drew me on.
!" The crust dodge is stale trick
be said. That fellowi. an old Of
fender. He hangs about the doors
of restaurant on purpose to ply his
trade. | walked him into a res
taurant one day, and set him down
to square meal. He begged hard
to be allowed to take it home to bis
starving vile and babes, instead oil
eating it himself. That's all right
said |. "Eat your fill. and I'll give
you basketful to take away Will
you" The WATERS grinned when
the rascal broke down at Tue fourth
mouthful, and said he "had no appe
lite" We STE lots Of tina. sort Of
thing, eyely dayl" they told me
"It's monty for drink they're after
not yituals."
81 wonder unused Mrs B!ount
ptnsively, wien the chorus of ex
clamation subsided-"if we do NOR,
harm than good by our aims giving
If q man will not work, reither shall
be eat