The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-02-12
Three Stories Of *ard .cuck.
How Their Marrators Fared.

"Buncoed again." remarked P, the
soft-hsarted. as he joined group of the
regulars" IN front OF the Postal Tele-
graph office the other evening. says the
Newark On J..) Sunday Call
Another hard luck story?" oueried
member OF the group.
Another hard luck story" replied
P
'T have said in my haste all men are
liars. and am ready TO say IL again with
greater deliberations: that is, all men are
liars when they're broke I've yet to find
the exception to this rule
B shook his head.
"Ali right B." said P. Perhaps
I'm the only mark in the world, but 1
never yet got anything but trimmed when
T listened TO a hard luck story. don't
know that anything will cure me from
listening 10 them, but think ought 10
be cured after the latest. NJ and 1
happened TO be strolling down in front Of
the Prudential building the other even
ing. when nlce-looking young fellow
well dressed, sprung a story of hard luck
Off since that last fellow that trimmed
me-
"'wait minute says N, this amt
the ordinary kind
Gentlemen. says the fellow that held
us up. 4 know you're gentlemen by your
looks and you know I am by mine. That
amt no fsttery either way, but the
simple truth. I'm a cigarmaker by pro-
fession. and live in Brooklyn. 1 make
good money. but got sick and went
through my last cent.
When ] got well i heard of a job in
New Brunswick and borrowed from "A
friend a little more than enough money
TO buy ticket there. When l got there
L found that the man had decided not 10
go into business and there / was, strand
ed, except for few cents. l didn't know
"a soul in town. so L spent all my change
but a nickel for ticket TO Elizabeth.
L wanted TO get as near home as 4 could.
From Elizabeth L walked to Newark.
used my last nickel 20 buy cup OF coffee
and "a piece of pie and I'm TO tired To
walk to Jersey city and IL did couldn't
get TO Brooklyn without money.
Gentlemen. If one of you will lend me
a quarter to get home with and will give
me your address, III send the money
back tomorrow.
''Wen. he looked so respectable and so
downhearted and told his story so well
that / made up my mind I'd chance
quarter on him. j slipped him the coin,
wrote my address on u card and handed
Il 60 him, and he said
Goodbye, gentlemen, I'm off for
Brooklyn. L thank you from the bottom
of my heart. Youll get your quarter
back tomorrow ss sure as the sun rises
{" L think IL will be very dark day to-
morrow, says N, as he walked on.
'How's thatT
~ don't think the sunll rise
well SAYS 1. II had the money I'd
bet you on that, but that quarter was the
last I'm my jeans
Tonight ! met N. He laughed
when he saw me.
Well says nc. 4 saw your friend to-
night
80 who's that7'
"oh. your twenty-nve-cent friend
from Brooklyn
since l saw N he had shaved of his
mustache.
He came mp 10 me IN the same place
said ~ and didn't recognize me.
! WAS walking with another chap.
80 Gentlemen, SAYS he, II know
you're gentlemen by your looks. and YOU
know ! am by mine. That amt no Hat
terry either way but
Pm 2 cigarmaher by trade" says 7.
and I live i'm Brooklyn. i got sick and
went busted and -'
4" He looked at me sharply and recog
nized me. Then he made break TO run
! away. hut I grabbed him by the coat and
told him 20 walt a minute, wanted 90
talk 90 him.
"ifuw much money have you got In
your pocket2" says L.
Amt got nny," saws he.
" I slapped him on the trousers pocket
and heard the silver Jingle.
o. You've got enough 10 buy n drink.
anyhow" says |, and We went around the
corner and had one on him.
o. Now says 1. you've done the
proper thing and l won't have you locked
up II yOu'll answer . question " two and
answer them straight" bought him an
other drink. ana he warmed VI 70 me and
said he'd been working The game for
three years all over the c0untry. After
another drink or Two &c. tpld We iust
4 where ne 4 been auu what he 1lalc.