The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-01-20

size the utter hopelessness that many a
poor tramp in the London streets must
feel even in summer under the broad blue
sky and in the baking streets, and in win
ter when the air was chill and the skies
ashen. The utter misery and wretched-
ness of having absolutely nothing in the
world. Nothing, nothing, nothing! And
yet he must write, or he would go mad.
He stopped by the corner of Ludgate
Circus, and there. just inside the en-
trance of Cooks tourist offices, there fiut-
tered, whenever the door was opened,
sheaves Of bills. Bills of all colors and
sizes, giving particulars of the Christmas
excursions for those who had holidays and
money and friends to visit. Trips to carry
those who had plenty far from the old
fashioned winter which they would en-
thuse upon in Cannes and Nice.
He stepped in and tore down half a
dozen of those which were only printed on
one side, and. as he did so, tall, dark,
good-lookinG fellow, with a travelling bag
in his hand, who had just left the counter,
tapped him on the shoulder.
"Halloal Carroll, my lad" he cried.
You off, too? Where are you gong?'
"Halloai Jackson" he answered, grip
Westminster" on, I'm not going
away" and ne crammed the handful of
bills into his pocket. Il promised to get
these for Ross as l was passing. Where
are you off toy
"Riviera Catching the 2:45 from Char
ing Cross"
Lucky fellowr' calculated Carroll.
What are you doing now?'
Nothing Woodworking about"
Come and have a drink"
For a minute temptation that needed
all his courage attacked the young jour
nalist. but he fought it down No
thanks" he said, lust had one, for he
felt he must make some excuse for refus-
ing the offer, and yet how fervently he
wished the lie had been the truth.
They walked out together into the Cir
Gus as St Paurs doomed the quarter after
one.
'Lunehed YETI" asked Jackson.
well, come up to Gatd's and have a
chop with me; sha'n't see you for three
weeks"
mo. thanks. old chap; got no appetite"
And that was the truth, for it was no
longer an appetite that assailed him, but
a duh sinking feeling that seemed gnaw-
ing al his hearti
His nerves and sympathies had been
played upon as well as his physical sys-
TEN, and now he wanted to get away and
write.
That's bad" said Jackson; you'll have
to buck up, or you won't enjoy the roast
beef and plum-puddlng and all The rest Of
it tomorrow
oh. yes, I shall" ferventiy answered
the other. and then his heart asked him
whether he would after all, If the phan-
tom vision of the pale thin face should
arise amid the silver. china, and flowers
across the dining table.
We'll, so long. a merry Christmas 70
Same to you. Goodbye. Stop"
Charles Carroll had caught sight Of the
wretched little walt whose face had haunt
ed him all day, shutting along close to the
curb.
Il won't lunch, won't drink, l won't
smoke, thanks. but I'll tell you what you
can do: give this little brat half
CROWN and he grasped the yonngster by
his fran shoulder and swung MN INTO
Jackson's view.
"Whv. the deuce" began the other,
paused, and then dived his hand into his
pocket and gave the boy mar crown,
who frightened his thin fingers upon II,
breathlessly gasped out thanhsii men men
ducked under CarrolIs ann ana shot
across Fleet Street between a block OF
cabs and omnibuses and was lost TO sisht.
Thanks old chap" murmured carroll.
Christmas time, you know he AIDED
weakly.
And jackson stood ana wondered why
Christmas time had not prompted carroll,
who was always a gcnerous-heaTted lei
low. TO give the hoy half a crown himseil;
The nsuse was little AWKWARD ana
Jackson broke il.
sure you won't lunch?
Certain, thanks
Well goodbye. I'll get mine at the
club Hansom!" and he jumped in, and
was driving away when CaToh stopped
him again.
Got a pencil. old chap"
Yes, half a doZen.' and he produced a
leather case full from his upper vest
THANKS. Goodbye"
The cab drove off toward the Savage
Club, while Carroll walked slowly up bnd-
gate hin and turned into the gardens OF
st. Pauls Chnchyard, where ne stooo lof