Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-07-28
AFTERA THREEWEEKS' REST

The young War Department stenog-
rapher who lives on Columbia Heights tot
tered into scat in the down town 1ith
street car on Thursday morning about $50
o'clock. and gasped for breath. His eyes
were hollow, and his features looked pinch
ed and drawn. There was feverish light
in his eyes. his hands were +remulous.
He surely looked lkssa man in a bad way.
At the next corner one of the young
stenographer's friends boarded the car and
climbed into the same seat. He looked
shocked when he recognized the young
stenographer. e X
Great Caesar, Billy what ails you?"
exclaimed the young stenographer's friend.
The stenographer turned a tired, mourn
full countenance upon his friend.
Nothing. he replied, hopping the per-
spiration of weakness from his forehead.
The dickens you say!" said his friend.
Why, man alive, you look like a wreck.
Where's all your flesh? When 1 saw you
about a month age you weighed fully
twenty pounds more. and you looked IKE
four-time winner. What you been doing
with yourself?" '
Nothing" repeated the young War De-
partment stenographer. YEARLY opening up
his morning newspaper.
WELL If nothing does that to a fellow,
It's dead new one on me. that's ALL said
his friend. You want to get next to your
self. Billy, whatever iails you, or you'll be
in a pine box before long, that's ALL
A couple of blocks farther down another
Of the young War Department stenogra-
piers friends got into the same seat. He
looked at the hollow-eyed young man for
some time before he was convinced that ne
could believe his eyes.
Say. for heavens sake, Billy" he said
then, clapping the mountaineering young
stenographer on the back, whats the mat
ter with you, hey?".
Nothing" replied the young stenograph-
er, weakly, before.
Back up, what are you trying to give
us?" exclaimed friend No. 2. Say, you
look like that mummy Of Ramescs the
Twelfth. Never saw such a changed man
Nope, replied the young Stenographer.
Say, Is there any consumption in your
family, Bily?" inquired friend No. 2. So
licitously.
Nope" answered the young stenograph-
well. whatever it is, you've got 1t, all
right, son." put in his friend No. 2, land
you're all kinds of a jay for going to work.
If you feel as bad as you look
The young War Department stenographer
only smiled drearily.
At U street another man who knew the
young stenographer- got aboard the car,
taking the seat ahead. He twisted around
and gazed queerly at the young stenog-
rapher.
Say. is that you, Billy?" he inquired,
with an amazed expression on his face.
Il guess so, Jim, replied the stenograph-
err, in a tired kind of way.
Il didn't know you'd been sick" said
friend No. 3.
81 haven't" said the young stenographer.
Haven't been sick?' said friend No. Z,
Ia a skeptical tone. We'll, if you aren't
the sickest looking proposition I've seen for
q coon's age you can have my hat. What's
the trouble?''
Nothing answered the young War De-
partment stenographer.
Nothing, eh? said friend No. 3. well,
you want to take care of that nothing
sen, whatever ii Is. You've got no right to
be going to work. You ought to get your
leave and go away somewhere.
The young War Department stenograph-
e. smiled a wan smile.
Il only got back last night" he said.
I've been down at the seashore for the
past three weeks, resting"
OH said his three friends all at once,
laughing hollow, mocking laughs.