The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-01-23

II was at the Night Asylum for the
Houseless. down close beside our Cen
tral police office that / first met the old
umbrella 'mender. Even now l seem 10
see the great dark room, with his gaunt
figure scanned face, and struggling white
hair shining out like halo from the
centre of the rows of hard beds and bru-
tai faces II was after twelve O'Clock on
a chill November night. and / had gone
down purposely late to looh for a thief
was expecting from Newcastle. The at
tendant took me into the mems dormitory
without a word. and j turned back the
slide OF the lantern / carried, and shone
the bright glare slowly over the sleeping
faces. My man was not there-had not ar
rived yet-perhaps was even then toiiing
manfully along some bleak road, think
ing himself very clever. and hurrying TO
have the pleasure Of meeting me at the
end OF the way.
But the streaking silver OF the old
mans hair caught the yellow glare OF the
lantern, and attracted me TO the side or
the owner with curious interest. Rogues
and waits, you see, seldom have Sill
yer hair-they mostly die off long before
the age when that crown OF glory Is
awarded to humanity. And then crime
was not written on that patient face
only care and wearing thought bent
over the sleeper. and saw that his Win
cred hands were outside the coverlet. ana
moving spasmodically-one clutching the
miserable bundle of old umbrellas and
tools with which he had refused TO part
on entering. and the other clutching the
coverlet madly, as IL life depended on
him not letting IL go. The old mans
body was asleep. but his mind was active
i'm dreams. | turned the slide of the Ian
tern half forward to lessen the glare on
his eyes, and listened to the groaning
whisper coming from his lips.
Don't, Bob. lad don't turn thief and
I will work for thee till my fingers be
worn to { bone" he murmured in pas
sionate entreaty. speaking I'm the homely
tones OF the Newcastle dialect. Where
has he gone TO? | wonder II l could find
{ poor lad? l don't mind the long road.
and the rain and wind. Hush lad, thou's
got money now: I've got IL all. and thou
won't need to thieve any more. Come
whome wi me. lad-do come whome WI
thy owdt feyther. All, twas cruel: but
the drink made him do it, wonder where
the poor lads gone" And with deep
sigh he turned uneasily on the hard bed.
Queer old fellow that" remarked the
attendant. Speaking in his sleep, l s'pose
He wouldn't take the regular supper. but
was content to chew a. mouldy old crust
and then turn in. Said he wasn't a beggar
or a tramp yet, thank God; he was an
honest man, WorklTs MS way ilNiuS
off no one, but would be glad of "a shelter,
as 1t was cold In the streets. Seems a de-
cent-looking fellow. Not one OF your
BARNS. is he?"
81 think not" I graveIy answered.
"But see, you are waking him up
The old man opened his eyes and start
ed bolt upright, with a scared and an
xious expression on his face. that would
have suited rogue who was wanted"
fkat,
What! Who is this?" he cried in
frightened gasp. indicating my grave face
and flashing lantern.
"OnIy a detective-Mr. M'Govan-look-
ing over the company" answered the at
tendant, rather respectfully.
But the old man was only half awake.
or had perhaps not yet half shaken of
the effect OF his dreams. for he turned to
me with an anguished expression and
clasped hands. and cried eagerly
IA detectivel-oh. sir, you won't be
hard on him-you won't be hard on poor
Bob-he doesn't mean 20 do ii, I'm sure;
only the drink and the bad company led
him 20 it dear. dear what am | think
fng of?-I must have been dreaming. l
thought IL was we're Bob you we're ar
ter"
A culver shook HIS voice at the word
Bob" and he turned abruptly away
from the light and drew the coveret
closer over his spare form. ! gently reas-
surcd HIM I'm few hastily uttered words,
and then. closing the lantern, softly left
the place.
cannot understand even yet why was
so interested I'm the old man. hut ] found
myself dreaming OF him during the great
er part Of the night. instead OF sleeping
soundly 90 prepare me for the work of
the next day; and so on the following
morning. when | was standing at the
close-mouth With some OF our staff. and
saw the familiar. slender figure slowly
tottcr up the close bearing the bundle OF
tools and old umbrellas 70 seemed quite
that OF an old acquaintance
The old mans eyes. ~ he paused at
the close mouth wandered hungrilv over
every face ln sight. and az last his glance
mot ms own. tie was thiniv clad.thcugh
nuf In rags: and the cold raw wind rush
ing up the High street from the east
seemed strong enough 20 tumble him In
10 tho grave. He smiled obviously, az 70
Laif recognizing me; then advancing.
said
''Good morning. sir, I think YOU are
Mr. MGovan. who saw me down there
last nigbt7 I hope I'm not troubling you;