The Greenville times. [volume] (Greenville, Miss.) 1868-1917, 1903-05-30

Il
along the street upon which the
freight house stood, Rossiter noted,
not far distant, large sign extend
ing over the sidewalk. "Stabling''
was the word which, years previous,
had been traced upon II. Az Rosslter
drew near the sign he beheld wide
gate which gave entrance to yard
OF considerable extent In the rear
of second or thlrd-class hotel.
Upon the yard o long shed opened
and likewise capacious barn. In
tho center Of the barn doorway a
hostler was leisurely grooming q
horse. Towards this man the va
grant advanced.
'Can get job?" asked he, as he
came within speaking distance. "I'd
be willing to work for bit Of break
fast"
The hostler paused, currycomb In
one hand, brush in the other.
"Know anythin' about a hoss?r he
demanded, surveying the applicant
with considerable doubt.
"Yes," said Rossiter, something"
'Le's see"
The vagabond dropped his bundle,
and the man relinquished currycomb
and brush to him.
you'll do" he said presently. II
giss ye kin earn yer brekfust all
right enough" He moved away,
and Rossiter heard him cleaning
stalls. Then he climbed to the loft
and began pitching down hay. After
little he descended and soon APP
peared leading another horse.
"That'l do fer the bay" he said
TRY yer hand on this 'un."
For an hour or more the new
stableman continued his labors, when
the hostler announced that It was
time for grub" After good wash
at the barn pump, Rossiter followed
his companion into small bare
room which was filed with the odor
Of cooking. 1t was a plain meal
that the two men sat down to, but
1t was exceedingly palatable.
Neither spoke while eating, and the
maid who attended to their wants
evidently considered herself decided
~ above them, for she did not deign
to address them with so much as q
single word When they had finished
they went out together.
"Say," said the hostler, as they
halted In the center of the stable
yard, "how'd you like my job fer
couple o. weeks? want to go hop
pickint"
II think some of going myself"
replied Rossiter.
ooh. you do, Ell? Well, If you don't
conclude to go, I'd be glad to have
you come ere. You're pritty tidy
hand with hoss."
Thanks. What's the job worth?"
give week, with feed an lodgin'."
"When would you want to know?"
"Any time to-day 'ud do
"All right. III drop around to-
night and tell you if I'll come. II
you don't see me again, you'll have
to find another chap" and Rossiter
sought the street.
"Here's luck!" he calculated. MAY
be things are going to take turn at
last" He Strengthened himself and
something of the reckless sullenness
left his face.
II must find quiet spot and think
It out" he unused.
He crossed the railway tracks, and
struck into narrow street which,
he recalled, formerly led TO the base
ball grounds and the broad mead
ows bordering the river. 1t was q
squalid neighborhood in the old days,
he remembered, and 1t did not appear
to have changed materially during
the years that had elapsed since he
had last viewed it. Ragged children
were rolling in the dirt by the road
side, slatternly women even at that
hour nine o'clock had not yet struck
were gossiping from window to
window, and two or three men as
unkempt as Rossfter himself were
squirting tobacco juice over the di-
lapidated board sidewalk. Both wo-
men and men eyed him furtively as
he went by, and one of the former
flung coarse iibe after him
Continued next week.