The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-02-01

Senator.
However. he wrote up the interview as
best he could and turned it in to the
city editor. He received three dollars
for it. No like sum of money ever
brought more timely succor to human
beings. 1t provfsioned the little family
for week. But the work was not done
satisfactorily and jim ceased TO have
hopes of further employment in that
line.
The newspapers and periodicals failing
to afford him occupation. Johnson hunt
ed among the stores, along the wharves,
at the doors of factories-anywher he
thought a man might possibly be needed
to do any sort of work, even that of a
common Iaborer. Everywhere his in
quiries met with a like response-''NTo,
we don't want anybody" How many
of you fellows are there in town, any
way" Another added to this, We urn
away about fifty men inquiring for
work every day"
Where's your card?" asked the sore-
man of a foundry to whom Johnson
had applied.
"Card?" replied Johnson. q have no
card. What do you mean?"
Don't you belong to union?"
No"
Then you cant get any work here;
this shop employs only union men"
In a choking voice Johnson told The
foreman his circumstances, and i'm
pIored him that if a man was wanted
there. he might be employed, The
foreman heard him in silence, and it
proved in sympathy for he pulled out
a greasy purse. and taking from It a
25-cent piece, extended the coin to
Johnson.
Take this" he said. I'D give you
more if could. could put man on.
but couldn't give the job to you. The
other men would walk out if I did. The
rule is strict that nobody but union
man can be employed here"
Johnson recoiIed from the sight of the
coin in the black hand of the kind
hearted Iaborer- He could not accept
charity. You arc kind" he said, very
kind; but the pain should feel at TAX
ing this would be greater than any I
have yet experienced. I thank you very
much, but I cant take it.
He hurried away aand left the me
chanfc thoughtfuIIy watching his re
treating form. When he reached home
he found the landlord waiting for him.
He had come to collect the rent. now two
Months in arrears. johnson did snot
have dollar.
See here. Johnson" said the land
lord, you cant pay; now get out of
ny house"
iii have to work in little while, 50
returned Johnson. then I'll pay up"
He spoke with a confidence he was very
far indeed from feeling
That amt it, - returned the Landlord.
4 can rent this house and get the
cash money in advance every month
Now, you're a reasonable man; III tell
you what I viii do. I'll have to pay
a lawyer $40 and court costs to put
you out, if I have to have that means
Of getting back my house. Now, you
owe me $40. you're an honest man, and
intend to pay it, and viii pay it when
you can; but there is not telling when
you'll be able to pay it, or when you'll
get work Meanwhile you cant afford
10 live in q $50 house; leave mine and
get a cheaper one. and I'll call the
back rent square. Go out, and YOU
won't owe me a cent
But, replied Johnson, Landlords
here demand rent in advance unless
the parties bring a reference: I don't
know anyone to whom I could refer
who would satisfy a landlord that I
always paid my debts"
Refer en- to me, suggested the
landlord
''AII right: I'll do it."
''WiI you get out today"
NO, not today. but tomorrow"
Well, tomorrow, then, but don't
make it any later than that"
The landlord left. and in d few min
utes Johnson was on his way toward
the railroad shops in search of another
house. He secured a vacant shack Of a
single room. far down in the lower end
of the city, where the rent was only s.
per month. The neighborbood was mis-
cradle. although not the slums. The
people were all poor, desperately poor,
However. johnson thought it was only a
temporary shift; as soon as he found
work again he would move out of there
into a better netghborhoods and though
the outlook did not appear any more
promising for paying 50 a month than
$50, yet he felt relieved that at one
stroke SIS Of monthly expense had been