The Newtown bee., 1900-03-16

lost my l0Ds too, and don't dnd Il easy /
TO git another. but you are different"
"Oh, I'll get on to something by and
BY" said Simmons. 1.-THE most that I |
to Sleep" Lamson hesitated moment |
and then he said:-
ssI'm 'fraid my quarters won't be nice |
'nough to suit you, but, IL you thought |
you could put up with them, I'd be glad
to have you make me visit"
ssJust the thing" exclaimed Simmons,
patting Lamson's shoulder. "You are
the same generous old fellow that you
always were."
Lamson went back into the market and
bought some more eggs. He added pie
and some cheese. He did not know how
De could afford it, but this was the first
time that ne had ever had a guest. and
ne wished to do well by him. He started
Gown the street with his bundles, and
Slmmons chung to him In fiattering,
friendly manner. A policeman looked at
Summons auspiciously, and Lsmson won
dered IL it were the force of the wind that
made his friend step so high.
Lamson's room was In street peopled
with leathery-skinned old women and
neavy-orowed, neavy-iawed men. The
clammy and saturated with cabbage.
Simmons praised Lsmson's attic room.
and he spoke airilv Of the exquisite land.
scape without. The room faced the
ocean. That day the fog hung over the
waters like pail, and the angry white
spume beat against the shore. Lamson
| wrapped blanket about his guest to
keep him warm. Then he cooked supper.
Simmons was hungry, and he enjoyed
| the humble meal so hea rtily that his host
permitted him to eat the bigger part Of it.
rp1a ~ uo{N ka
| lit his pipe. sits cold night. 'Twould
have been bad for you without money"
EYES," said Simmons, Furnishing a
spoon dramatically, 18th on art my deliv-
erer. I might have star we'd had it not
been for thee. have fallen low, but |
would starve rather than become city
psuper. I know not what will happen on
the morrow, but tonight L will sup JOY
fully"
''stay with me SPELL" said Lamson
with reckless hospitality. "That is, If
you can put up with such as have. This
nain't much Of a place, but there's some
nice folks here. There's lady astrologer
lives just across the hall. Her rooms
full of picters, and it's heated. She hain't
q bit 'ristocratic though. She made me q
cup of tea once when I was sick"
That night Lamson let his guest sleep
in his own cot bed and he made up bed
for himself on two chairs. BE slept cold
but it was comfort to think that Sim.
mons was warm. The following day
was too stormy for Lamson to hunt fol
work. He and Simmons spent the day
10 the public library for warmth's sake
Lamgon felt proud of Simmons when be
took down a work on history and wal
soon engrossed in reading. Lamsor
sometimes took book himself, but he
usually went to sleep over it. They
lunched together on crackers, stealthily
nibbled when the majestic looking police.
man was stalking at the other end of the
hall. Lamson sometimes wondered why
Simmons shrunk down into his chair and
held his book so high when the police
man came their way. Simmons contin.
ued to 60 every day to the library and
Lamson to hunt for work.
A few nights later, when Lamsor
went to his room, he encountered his
landlady at the top of the fourth light
of stairs. She was large woman. She
whee zed badly from the exertion In
stair climbing and her voice was 70 ucous
1--WE come, Mr. Lsmpkins," said che
with fine SARCASM, "to ask if you've
gone to taking boal ders in the room thai
[ rented to you. I'm poor women
that works hard to git a poor living, and
I'll not be imposed upon by two men,
yer and gave it to her.
"Will that do for the rent of two Of
81" he asked meekiy. His landlady was
pacified. ST only hope the other ont
will prove as much of a gentleman as yot
be, one who never complains bout the
gas, nor the towels, nor nothing" sale
she as she ambled off downstairs.
Lamson told Simmons that evening Of
the state of his finances. He did not dc
so to hint that Simmons was unwelcome
but that he might understand why be
Simmons did not seem at all disturbed
by the ebbing condition of Lamson'i
purse.
"Old boy" said he, "you must invert
the divisor and proceed as in multiplied
ton of fractions. Nothing like having 6
head for figures in money matters"
Simmons was very cheerful that even
ing. His breath appealed strongly te
Lamson's olfactory sensibilities. Ever
Lamson's sluggish association of ideas
connected the loss of some small change
money himself with which to make
merry.
Weeks passed and Lamson continued
to share his diminishing all with hi:
guest. Simmons was in consumption. II
was evident that he could not last long
He coughed much nights and kept his
host awake. Lamson occasionally found
work shoveIing the streets after a snow
storm. But sleeping in chairs nights and
being Kept awake wore upon his energy
and, IL he had not needed money he
would have been glad to be idle. Lam
son had never had an Intimate companion
before, and the stunted affections of 8
lifetime found expansion in caring fol-
this sick, worthless friend. He felt q
brooding, protecting solicitude for his
moral and physical weaknesses and he
was determined to share bis last dollar
with him. By and by he was unable to
pay the rent and the landlsdy ceased
calling him gentleman. She frowned
when she meet him and openly threaten.
ed to turn him out of doors, il the rent
was not forthcoming. One night in Feb.
ruary .Lamson left the library later than
usual. He had delayed going to his room
because his money was gone and he had
no food to carry to Simmons. He could
not realize that hunger was coming to
himself. His thoughts were concentra.
ted On the sick man. 1t was bitter cold.
The sunset had been in austere tints. In
the clear, crisp air the car wheels rasped
against the frigid tracks, and the foot
steps on the streets reverberated with an
unnatural loudness. Lamson's breath
steamed before him and copgealed on his
mustache. He walked rapidly, and ne
did not slacken his pace until he reached
his own lodging-house. Then a sight
greeted him that made him halt.
Cold as he was, the warm cu1or surg.
ed to his face. His trunk and his oil
stove had been thrown into the street.
Simmons was crouched upon the trunk,
and he was coughing Violently. A yell
low blanket that the astrologer had
II
| akalu what IL maanf Than had ham