The Washington weekly post. (Washington, D.C.) 1878-1916, 1900-10-23

saw him hating by the gate. He didn't
have 10 wait there long. A tramp who
had been lOafing on the corner below and
striking a score of persons In vain for bed
money soon came shuffling along. He
was debating whether to strike or not 10
strike when Mr.. BOWser- observed: .
MY friend. you are a man
Il expect l am" was the reply.
And as a man you are just as good as /
am. Because / happen to be better of In
this worlds goods than you ara l have no
right to look down on you"
Say, old man." remarked the tra mp, as
a grin spread over his face. unless you
are drunk you are talkin' straight from
the shoulder. | like 10 hear It."
II am neither drunk nor snob," con-
tlnued Mr.. Bowser. II say you are a man,
born free and equal. As a man. you are
entitled 10 my respect. whether you are a
millionaire or a laboring man"
And you don't set yourself up as bein'
above me?''
mo, sir"
"And I'm as good as you areT'
Gust as good"
shake, old mani You don't know how
you encourage me. II I'm as good as you
are. then mebbe-mebbe-'
Come right III and have dinner, and
after that we'll talk. There'lI be no aris-
tocracy built up In America IL a man of
my size can prevent it,
You amt goiH' 10 git me In there to
give me the bootY' asked the tramp. as he
hung back and wondered over HIS good
luck.
II am going 10 use you as an equal
Come along"
The man was taken into the basement
and the cook ordered to give him his dir
ner at the table. She looked IN wonder
and establishment and demurred, bat Mr.
BoWser insisted. and she reluctantly com
piled. When the fellow had got well Al
work. Mr.. Bowser went up stairs 10 ex-
plain what he had done and what was 20
follow, but Mrs. Bowser had gone 10 her
room. He was minded 10 eall her down
and ask her 10 play the piano. but on sec
ond thought he decided not 20 rush the
business too much at first. After twenty
minutes he went down. but the tramp
was still heaving q IN with knife and
fork. He had asked for something 20
wet It up" and the cook had puI on
bottle Of claret. with which he was max
Ing free. Mr. BOwser WINGED little. but
gave him fifteen minutes more. AZ the
end OF that time there was stiil piece Of
the second loaf OF bread Jeff, and Il was
about ten minutes more before tne tramp
had finished. A barrel Of food and a bottle
OF wine had restored the gan OF the
equal 70 It's pristine glory. ard. showing
back from the table al last With sigh Of
contentment, ne pounded on the board
with MS knife and called 70 the girl:
Hey. savey. bring hither one OF the old
mans perfectos and let the wrapper be
speckled?'
How dare you talk that way 10 msg'
demanded the indignant cook
"A perfecto. pot wrestler, or 0ut you
gor'
Mr. Bowser heard from the head Of the
stairs. and hts hair began TO rise. Run
ming down. he said:
Look here. but amt you rather over
doing this Ihisg?"
Not al al. old bird" was the smiling
reply. we are both Easn and equals VOC
have the dough. and I'm Gead broxe. IT'S
your business 20 divide How are you
heeled for eashZ"
ePn show you how I'm heelsd. sir.
There Is the door ! want no more % your
society"
But you can't turn ne down that say.
Old man-oh no! Ny name IS jim the
Sucker. When ] gets a good thing. 1
hangs On. Don't SO back on what yoo
said about all men bsin' equal
Nr Bowser again ordered him out. but
ga he refused 20 so he was taken hold Of
70 BE- assisted. Ne eidn't propose to drop
the equality business without a struggle.
and there was q gov Ia which the dining
room was almost wrecked and Mr. Bowser
vas badly pummslsd. BY the time the
cook had brought a policeman aad Mrs..
Bowssr and the eat I'D GOT down stairs
the tramp had siiled bis pockets wgth
knives, forks. and spoons and got away.
Nothing could Be said TO the man left ~
ing on the floor on his back HE hae lev
sied al Distinctions and bsen isselsd him
self.