Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-11-22
BILLS THANKS
GIVING DINNER

He was called "Bill the Eater in the
east, in the west was known as the
man with the appetite" and the north
and south agreed that Hungry Bill'
was a name that fitted him down to
the ground. Bill cared very little, how
ever, what he was called so long as he
got n call to dinner occasionally. On
his tramps through the country he had
eaten at many a farmers table, but
on only one occasion had his appetite
been satisfied. As he was sitting down
to the table with a family one day the
house took fire, and there was rush
for outdoors-that is, all fled except
Bill. 1t was the opportunity Of his life.
He realized it, and when he was car
ried from the burning building an hour
later half suffocated and with hair and
whiskers burned off he had no COM
plant to make. For once in his life he
had eaten what he called a square
meal.
As rule Bill avoided the large cities,
but he always made it point TO be in
one of them ON Thanksgiving in order
to take advantage of the free dinners
usually provided for the poor. Year
before last he ate his turkey in Boston,
but last year he decided to feast in New
York. Bill was seated in City Hall
park when Charity came along and in
vited him TO a free Thanksgiving din
ner, and he was lit and ready to eat the
meal of his life. He did not accept the
invitation with undue haste, however,
and thus give himself away. He per-
mitted himself to be urged little and
conveyed the impression that one help
ing would fill him up and send him
away to make room for another.
1t was / o'clock i'll the afternoon
when the festive board and the I'M
festive Bill squared off at each other.
If Charity expected him 10 rush things,
then Charity was disappointed. He
had all the time there was, and he was
aware that Thanksgiving only comes
once year. When urged TO cat all
he wanted, he replied that he would
pick a bone or two, thank you. and
merely toyed with the food before him.
At O'Clock, however, Bill was still
there. and as he began to strike his
gait there were some whispered re-
marks about the danger of ovcreating.
At o'clock the tramp had taken the
edge off his appetite, and ut he was
III GStIntSl
Then mild attempt was made to
choke him Off or to get him to choke
himself to death, but Bill had decided
to have some dinner. At o'clock 1t
was necessary to close the hall. The
idea was to close Bill and the hall ST.
simultaneously, but he said he had drop
ped in to get mouthful TO eat. and
they gave him half an hours grace.
He wanted more, but the committee
was firm. even drawing him away from
the board and escortinS him TO the
door. Then, as Bill looked back with
longing eyes ut a mince pie he had
been obliged to leave behind, he sighed
and observed:
4 was told that this WIS to be
Thanksgiving spread 10 make US all
thankful. 1 was given to understand
there would be something to eat and
drink and that no one would be turned
away hungry. 1t is needless to say
that 1 believe you acted from proper
motives, but you can see for yourselves
that You have made sad failure of it.
l will now walk up Fifth avenue and
try to beg enough food to keep me from
starving. Good day to you! I'll see
you again next Thanksgiving
Not If see you firstr replied Char
ity when she could get her breath.
a. b. LEWIS.