The Newtown bee., 1900-03-16

1t was by the big clock in the public
library when Mark Lamson butt oned up
his shabby overcoat and moved slowly
toward his lodging-house. His head was
inclined for ward, and he walked with a
little see-saw movement of the shoulders.
1t was showing, and he looked back
somewhat wistfully at the building he
had left. Its granite front seemed cold
and fOrbidding in the dusk, but there
was plenty of warmth within.
eff t'want so fur said he, "I'd come
back this evening It's alters cold in my
room when there's sea turn"
He chose the longest way to 60 to his
room. 1t was pleasant to 60 down past
the stately houses on the avenue and up
over the hill past more big houses and
then circle around through the streets
where the store windows were resplen.
dent with suggestions OF comfort and
luxury. He would come soon enough to
the somber part OF the city.
Lamson was out Of work. He had
been tanitor for many years in an old
building near the wharves. The man
who owned the building had been hard
with Lamson, and he had always receiv-
ed small wages. But Lamson was igno-
rant and slow lot speech, and he never
knew how to redress his grievances.
SAI LINZ WIG C1bAy OAO SUI Shu&uk
fire, and, as Lamson watched it burn, he
was dazed with the thought that he was
out Of a means OF livelihood. Lamson
had been hunting for employment ever
| since. His savings were nearly exhaust
ed, and he was beginning to wonder what
he should do when they were gone. For
tunately, his nature was hopeful. He
tried to be frugal. He rented an attic
room and he cooked his own meals over
an oil stove. Occasionally, on Sundays
or on holidays, he went to a restaurant
and feasted on 20 .cent dinner.
He stopped that night at a market to
buy some eggs and some coffee. AS he
came out of the market with his pur.
chases, he stumbled against a man so
unexpectedly that he apolog;zed. The
man steadied himself against a barrel,
and said -
Why, 1L;,amson, old fellow, don't you
know me?"
The electric light was iutterlng spas
medically, and Lamsen could not discern
his features.
"I'm 'fraid don't, sir" he replied.
"Why, Lamson, I'm Simmons. You
and both worked In this very market
back In the '70's."
Then Lamson recollected. When he
was young man he had done odd jobs
at this meat market. Simmons was book
keeper. In those days, Simmons was a
gay, handsome fellow. Lamson supposed
that, Of course, SO gifted man would
rise in the world. He wrote fourishing
hand, and he played the banjo and danced
nimbly. He had left the meat market to
join variety troupe. Lamson had often
wondered il Simmons had made his
fortune. Sometimes, when he had LOOK
ed at the big houses on the avenue, he
had thought that perhaps Simmons was
living in some such luxurious place.
Lamson had lived in the heart of the city
all OF his life, but he had vague idea OF
the world outside Of his own environ
ment.
He was greatly astopished to see Sim.
mons standing there in the snow. Even
he could see that Simmons once elegant
clothes were thin and shabby. His coat
was glazed at the seams, and one sleeve
yawned at the armpit. The circles be-
meath his eyes were baggy,a and there was
blush tint to his complexion. Disease
had stamped his sharp lineaments. His
light, debonair manner was strangely In
contrast with the solemn warning of his
countenance. He chung to Lamson with
an appearance of great joy.
'sOld fellow !" he exclaimed. "How do
youtdo? It doesn't seem but yesterday
since we were clerking it in this very
place. And, Lamson, do you ever Think
of the jolly times we had together here 20
Lamson rubbed his forehead in a per-
picked way as he said that he remem-
bered. He thought secretly that his
memery must be falling. AS near as he
could remember, Simmons had been
rather distant with him and had aspired
to associate with the junior partner.
Lamson's face showed that he felt fat
tered to learn that, after all, Simmons had
thought so much OF him.
aIs'pose, said he, you've been round
a goad deal since those days.
Yes" said Simmons gayly. ssI've gone
oyer about every state in the Union and
I've seen Mexico should have been
travelling now If hadn't lost my singing
voice. I've had rather hard luck lately.
Money all gone and job lost
- man OF your smartaess will surely