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

or lower. he himself had sunk, but u
now carried with II an unwonted re-
proach. 1t revealed 20 him with pain,
full vivtdness his own position In the
world, and he cursed the fate that
had caused him 70 leave the freight
train Illica was potent In rousing
the unweloome spectre of the past, in
stirring memories that he had fancied
dead or SO somnolent that they would
never waken TO plague him. In
kindling longings that he had for
many day resolutciy banished
Az Rossiter drew near, and It boz
came evident that he was seeking the
saloon, the two loungers stepped back
to allow him TO enter, scanning him
with leering curiosity as he walked
toward the bar. With ono hand he
tossed his little bundle Of clothes
upon the polished slab behind which.
in trousers and gauze undershirt
close-cropped. redrfaced Irish-Amer-
lean was standing. and with the other
cast down his last precious nickel
"a glass of beer, TOR Heavens
sake!" said he.
The saloop-keeper shot on amused
glance at him, seized beer mug,
turned a spigot, held the mug
up, cycling it's contents critically,
blew of the foam, put 10 beneath
the tap again, and then placed It be-
fore Rossiter with flourish.
"Still hottern'n 'ell!" he remarked
Rossiter answered with o little nod
Of assent, and then gave himself over
to the luxury Of the beaded draught.
No bottle Of wine quaffed In HE
primrose days had ever afforded him
quite the satisfaction he experienced
from that plebeian beer he put
the mug down with Sigh.
"HAve another2" asked the salom-
keeper.
Rossiter smiled regretfully and
produced his three remaining PEN
MES, chinhng them In his hand
"Guess not" he answered.
'Oh, WELL" said the man behind the
bar good-naturedly, II see you're
ruther down on yer luck. I'll stan
treat. Theyhs some crackers over
there" he added, pointing to nicked
dish that stood upon table on the
opposite side of the room.
Rossiter helped himself TO gener-
Gus handful and, returning, took up
his brimming mug that was awaiting
him.
Heres looking at you" be said.
"My best thanks"
"Goin' hop-picldn', I suppose?' said
the saloon-keeper he tossed of bis
pony"
Hadn't thought of IT." replied Ros-
sitter, who now recalled that 1t was
the season of the hop-harvest, when
there was large influx of people
into Illica ON their way to the hop
fields, dozen miles or SO back among
the hills.
Thought likely ye were They's
a big crowd goin' this year. They
say the crops heavy"
An idea flashed into Rossiter's
brain.
"I wonder If I could get chance to
pick?" he queried.
"Gosh. yes!" said the saloon-keep-
err, "plenty o. chance if ye kept
sober"
Rossiter made some additional m
quiries in regard to the matter OF
then, as the saloon
keeper suggested that he guessed
he'd shut up, the vagrant took his
bundle from the bar and sought the
street.
81 might try it." he unused as he
strolled aimlessly in the direction OF
the station. "I'll see how it strikes me
in the morning"
Reaching the railway tracks, he
halted for a moment in indecision.
The station was closed, SO it was use
less to attempt to get an hour or
two of rest upon one of the seats
under the plea that he was waiting
for a train. Turning to the left.
he walked parallel with the tracks
for more than thrice score OF PAGES,
crossed deserted street, and de-
serted directly in front of him a
freight house. along all sides of
which platform extended. On the
side towards the railway some
freight cars were standing upon a
switch. He gained the platform and
began trying the doors of these cars.
They were all securely fastened,
however, so he slipped down between
one of them and the platform, be-
meath which he CROPPED his way till
he found where some chips and
sweepings had been thrown. Here
he arranged his bundle for pillow,
stretched himself out, and was soon
calmly slumbering. Night-long near
him darkened express trains went
rushing by or began to slacken speed
with hiss of steam and a grating
If wheels, but they disturbed him
not, and when the breezeless dawn
began to break he was still sleeping
As peacefully as though his bed were
one of luxury.
CHAPTER II.
On THE BANKS OF THE MOHON-
nACA