The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-10-15
AFTER THE FACT.
BY W. PETIT RIDGE.


The 6:56 p. m started, and having put
his bag in the corner, he turned, leaning
half of his body out Of the window, and
holding his bowler hat with one hand.
Miss Farley, well dressed in furs, with a
demure bonnet appropriate to her age and
manner, glanced through the window at
the face, and shivereo.
Hes lost It," remarked the man. turn
ing to her, and looking out again, swore
softly OF the rushing wind When the
train had said good-by 20 the Chisehurst
houses and had entered into the tunnel
he brought himself in and stumbled back
TO the corner where he sat near to the
awkwardly filled bag, half covering it with
his coat.
Il never had a pal yut," he said, as the
train went DANGEROUSLY, what could
trust"
Il beg your pardon?" said Miss Farley
with courtesy.
Il say" he repeated, raising his voice,
"that I never yut come across the man
what ! could say TO, You're as good AZ
what I am There isn't a single one OF
'em but what's got some fault"
Few of us here below are perfect"
said Miss Farley sententious.y. 'Sin
comes natural to us poor mortals and
II cant 'elp your troubles" interrupted
the man. What l want is bit of your
assistance"
II am strongly opposed" said the mid
dle-aged lady, with great decision, ito in
note to the secretary Of the"
Il know your sort" he remarked, acute
ly. "Give away every blOomin' thing ex
cept gifts. Find out what poor people
want. and see they don get II. Ho yes!
I've met crowds like you. Fortunately I
don't want your 'e.p, as you understand
IT, All l want is bit of common cous-
tesy."a
II trust" she said politely, that am
not wanting in that"
Il 'ope, too, that you're pretty well sup
piled" The train came out of the tun-
mel into the open evening mist and the
cloud disappeared from the windows. See
this yer bag?"
Miss Farley adjusted her pince-nez and
Inspected It, 1t was an odd bag, with a
leather handle at each hand; the contents
bulged ID unevenly; the surface bore some
European labels which 1t seemed might
have been removed from other luggage,
for they did not stick with confidence.
IT," said Miss Farley with caution, Il
must confess that do see that bag"
"Ah," remarked the man ironically,
now l can tell l am dealing with a smart
for doing what ! want you to do in a 'ighly
intelligent manner. Are you going to
Charing CROSSE"
Il am" replied Miss Farley.
Thought so. Got no luggage, ave
your"
VI am Only going to a meeting" ex-
planned Miss Farley, stroking the fur of
her muff, land naturally l have no lug
gage"
I'm not blamin' of you" said the man
generously 1T makes your work all the
easier. This bag contains Are you fond
of kids?" he asked suddenly.
II adore children"
VERY we'll then" he said. with a re-
lleved air. This bag contains presents
for my youngsters"
Have you many children"
Tons of EN-" said the man.
How charmingr
"You amt seen EN-" he said grimly
"Be that as it may, this bag contains pres
ents for 'em. I've got to get out at Water
loo"
waterloo" said Miss Farley, rs the
station before you get to Charing Cross"
You do know something" remarked
the man admringly. He took off his neck
erchief and fixed on a collar, high and
rather white. The change altered his APP
pearance greatly. I've got to get off at
Waterloo; you're going TO Charing Cross
Now do you mind leaving this bag for
your name and a number? Miss Farley
contracted her forehead momentarlly and
pursed her lips. Otherwise" he went on
earnestly and pathetically. otherwise six
little leads ii lay emselves down on their
white pillars tonight, crying 'emselves to
sleep; six little 'eads all curly ones, II
be fun of sorrer and gnashn' of teeth; six
little 'eads IL"
For the sake of the dear children" said
Miss Farley. Il will do as you wish.
Here is my card; I'll put a number upon IT,
What number shall l writer"
Put ten siXty-siX," he said, leaning
across interestedy. "Date that good old
blooming Wellington won the battle of Wa
terloo."
'"ren sixty-six," she repeated as she
wrote. There, my mani You can send
for it with that card. and the dear little
children will not be disappointed"
Bless their carts" he said, taking the
card.
When the train ratified presently across
the bridge into Cannon street, the man
gave a very fair imitation of paternal
feeling He dabbed at his eyes with a
white speckled blue handkerchief; he
shook his head pathetically. AS the train
backed out of the station he lifted the
heavy bag TO the side where Miss Farley
was sitting.
Amy slight expenses, miss. that you
might be put to-"
Don't mention that, my man. For the
sake of the dear little ones I would take
almost any trouble"
''It'n be called for about II p. M" he
said, "by lady friend. In fact" he add
ed with a burst of frankness, "the lady
I'm engaged to. If you must know"
But the children"
"Or he said readily, I'm an adjective
widower"
Miss Farley trembled a little; the man
muttered TO himself reproof for his care
lessness of speech. The train slowed up
at Waterloo and he opened the door and
put his head out. Instantly he turned,
and rushing toward the other door, and
growing an earnest warning to her, partly
jumped and partly fell out on the ballast.
Miss Farley looked out as she pulled this
door to. saw him hobbling cautiously in
the dusk by the side of the train
II thought" she said with great
shrewdness, that he was not really arst
class
Then Miss Farley took out her plump
,asal