Sunday morning globe., 1901-11-24

Just as / left the ferry who should
l see but the young man from the
Union Mission, who had suspected my
disguise and who now looked at me
In the most inquiring and puzzled
manner. l did not stop however, TO
either satisfy his curiosity or my own.
That he was not satisfied either as 10
my identity or his surmise was soon
made evident.
There was really no reason to fear
to meet any former casual acquaint-
ance except that / desired to remain
unknown to any immediate assoc ates
so as rapidly as possible and without
seeming to be in haste, / walked down
the first street from the ferry land
ing, with no definite plan or without
having any special place in view. The
young man who noticed me leave the
ferry followed me. This knew
rather by instinct than by having seen
him, for | never once glanced back
nor retarded my rapid gait. A better
walker, evidently the young man me
toned soon caught up with me and
asked me the time OF day in an ofhand
manner. / replied, but did not invite
further conversation. He was not to
be so easily put Off, however. but suit
ing his steps to mine walked along
with me and chatted about matters of
current interest He was an interest
ing talker and presently [ realized
was not only listening to him but was
answering his arguments in quite a
spirited way.
Seeing my reserve had somewhat
relaxed he stopped short and faced
me. We had gotten to the river front
by this time and l was gaZinh long
ingly at a steamboat bound for Bal
| timore and wondering II il would be
possible to work my passage that far
on my way. / was anxious for my
companion to take his departure; but
no, this was evidently the most for
eign Of his intentions for the time
being
"See here partner" he suddenly
exclaimed, whats the use Of your try
ing to size up that boat? They won't
take you to Baltimore, II that's what
| you want, and besides the folks here
are on to your little game and don't
mean TO let you leave us so soon
For answer 1 simply stared at him in
utter astonishment That people
might suspicion my disguise was a pos
sibility I had all the while expected
/ to become a reality. but that
| should be suspected Of a "little
! game OF any sort never for a mo-
ment occurred to me. The young
/ man must have realized something Of
| the astonishment his remark caused,
and with much sympathy in his voice
continued.
"Well, never mind, if you are really
| In trouble and need a friend why not
tell me all about it and perhaps can
help you?"
This was just what was needed to
| bring me to my senses and so far from
| inducing me to unburden my mind.
| it had the opposite effect
| Thanking him for the offer of kind
! ly assistance which at he same time
was not desired I turned and left him.
W nat conclusion he finally came to re-
/ garding my identity remains a sealed
! book to me but 1t is certain he got
no clue from me to aid him in any
direction.
II occurred to me about this time
that it might be profitable to do a
! little detective work myself and to test
how far one could deceive the public
as to the true identity Of a person in
disguise.
Throwing all caution to the winds,
I boldly walked down the main street
in Norfolk, went to the postoffice, call
ed for letters and actually received
two, one OF which contained 50 which
some time before / had reminded a
friend was unpaid and which was the
refund OF a cash loan. Never was
/ money so gatifyingly received. Then
| following a preconceived plan, / went
| to the Episcopal rectory and asked
/ to see the rector This gentleman
| (Mr. Waltham If I correctly recall
| hls name) listened to what I had to
| say, but declared he knew Of no work
| just then that could be procured for
me to do. But / will give you a note
| to the Union Mission" he finally said,
"and by presenting It at the secre.
tary's desk you will be given room and
something to eat until YOU can find
work Of some kind" Thanking him
| kindly I took the note and departed
but did not go to the mission, nor had
I the least intention Of using the note.
| 10 is still in my possession, as is also
one received from a young stenogra-
pher in Franklin, Virginia, which town
I went to from Norfolk and Of which
further mention will be made.
Failing to find employment in Nor
! folk I went to Portsmouth, just across
the river, thinking the many repair
shops there would afford me at least
few days work as helper, or even
as a common laborer, but really when
It came to the pinch my courage to
ask for work in a shop where one
would be compelled to mingle with
ali kinds and conditions Of men. It
was Easter evening as I well remem-
ber. Counting my cash it appeared
that 25 cents could be spared for lodg.
ing. and after comparing the eXtenior
houses, one, more home like than the
others. was selected the quarter dol
lar paid I'm advance, and I retired to
my room and a good nights rest
BY this time my shoes scarcely de-
served the name For several days
previous when 'promenading" the
streets Of Norfolk, I had been COM
pelled to take careful steps lest the