The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1903-04-02

v
v ly seeking employment from
sunrise to sunset. He ha(
been out of the hospital only few days
and when he paused before an evil
looking eating house on the waterfront
he felt too spent and disheartened tC
enter. Exactly twenty cents stood be
tween him and starvation. He iinglec
it mechanically and watched dissi
pated looking Cat making its toilet IN
an angle of the wall. The heaviest fog
of the season hung low over the bay
and fell incessantly in small rain and
mist. At last n drunken man, roaring
out the refrain of n popular coon song
as he staggered heavily by, reused Nor
wood, and he entered the restaurant
and gave a ten-cent order In spite
of apprenticeship at the County Hospi
tai, his weakened stomach revoited at
the quality of the food; but the warmth
revived him little. and he fingered un.
til he drew the notice of the surly pro.
prietor.
See here, young fellow" said that
worthy, roughly, you'd bette. move
ON. This amt any Salvation Army
barracks. We don't give lodgin' with a
aen-cent showdown"
Norwood wondered bitterly If there
were lower depths he had not sounded,
as he paid his score and stIuck out
aimlcssly through the fog. When the
great ferry building loomed up in front
of him he was shivering again and he
entered the Sausallto waiting room. A
sign conspicuously posted assured him
that loafers would not be tolerated, so
he invested his remaining capital in Il
ticket, and, fortified by this badge OF
respectability, assumed position near
heater.
The foghorn still clamored, although
the mist had cleared little. Norwood
reflected that about the middle of the
bay, when the wet decks were empty,
he could slip over the side and out OF
existence as easily as though he had
never felt that life had q great deal to
offer him. In the meantime he still
crayed warmth, I'D he followed the
crowd into the cabin and found a cor
ner near the door.
a moment later two women, one
elderly, the other young, good looking
and with an air of quiet distinction,
seated themselves opposite. From time
TO time snatch2s of their conversation
reached the young man, The elder was
nervous at the prospect OF crossing in
inc fog-the younger tried to reassure
her.
When the boat started, the girl
moved TO look out of the window, and
iier purse, that after the careless fash
ION OF women, she held in her lap. slid
10 the iloor AS Norwood restored II
shc looked at him kcenly. evidently
s'rucK by the contrast between his
manner and his unkempt and haggard
appearance. He wondered DULY what
she would do if she could realize tina;
her Weli'1llcd purse held the price OF
nunilh HE. A momentary impulse
10 tell hcr so and throw himself on hel
generosity struggled through his mind
soinething In the level glance OF tho
oroWh eyes told him il would not be In
'uih' But when pride pushes itself
,h'o the place of the intellect. 1t Is ap,
10 degenerate into obstinacy, so Nor
"ood heid his peace. Having made q
mess or his life, he would abide by the
consequences.
During his last night on earth q con,
"ehhed man may mercifully lose con
seriousness. Norwood must have dozed
'or moment He was awakened by
shock that threw him violently for
ward on his knees. and seemed to iii
'ne boat out Of the water Filnglng
OUT his hands 10 save himself hc
cintched soft leathern object. and
htiii grasping 1t, lurched to his feet n.
q whitc-faced dcckhand ran through
,he cabin crying, There's been col
"sioh' The boats sinking"
instantly the widest panic prevailed
me veneer Of civilization. more or les,
'hin. cracked; cowardlce. brutality anf
wcahhess appeared. Struggling mer
oiocked the entrances; they rashef
hands on the windows: they even pllef
up against the partitions like trappe,
ana savage animals. Shrielsinc womer
ana children ran from side 10 side n,
,ne cabin. An immense negro. inmmef
nai In. Lalf ont. q shattered window
contributed Tic element OF crotesoue
uess' as hc gcsticulated franticalIy