The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1903-05-14

painfully forced ioility that had won
him his cpithet. "Howls''-a haggard.
hunted expression. Jacob Howells' S
reputation, even when first knew him
on the Street. was quite off color
anl the color had worn OF more and
more as years went on.
He and 1 neve: had any business
transactions for two reasons, both
valid-I had no spare cash to loan, and
when borrowed-which was seldom
| it was not on colIat teral of the sort rc-
uuirins the big "shave,' oUt Of which
this man and his kind made their
sparse and precariouS profits
1t was growing dark on a raw day
last February that, crossing Nassau
street on my way toward the elevated.
1 saw Howells in charge of an officer.
Having heard that he had been con-
cerned of late in several pieces Of
"sharp practice" the fact that he Was
now in custody did not seem surpris-
ing. I was going by with no more at
tention than may be implied by brief
thought of commiseration C'Poor chap,
I hope he'll get out of the scrapc'),
when I heard him say pleadiDgly:
"For Gods sake, wait just five mill
utes more"
His tone was so inplorinS, so pitiful,
and it seemed so sincere as to some
hope in a little delay, that I ovcrcame
the dastardly cowardice Of prudence,
turned right about, and went up TO
him.
us there anything can do for YOU.
Mr.. Howells ~ I asked, not, fear, cor
daily, but coldly, my manner instinct
lively modulated rs to imply that pre-
sumption on his part would scarcely
be tolerated.
yes" he answered eagerly, "there
is, if you are willing to take a little
Just a little-troublc. AS you see, l
have got into q little scrape (he
laughed grimly), and I have sent a
boy for my lawyer. I'm afraid it's so
late he's gone home. Now, would you
mind going to my fiat (he named the
street and NUMBER, and tell my wife
that 1 have been called away sudden
ly. but will be back to-morrow-and
Che handed me a fve-dollar bilD give
her that
OF course I agreed to do what he
wished, though his fiat was far over on
the upper east side, while my home
was on the west. Howells clutchcd
my hand hard, "Thank you; my God.
but do thank you," and we parted.
turned back down Wall Street, and
took the east side elevated at Hanover
Square. While I waited for the train
it began to snow, and by the time we
reached Fourteenth street heavy
snowstorm had set in. At Fourteenth
street there was long stop, and at
the end of perhaps fifteen minutes the
guard opened the door. Gail out" he
shouted, "this car goes no further"
soon discovered that there was
fire on the block above. The surface
line was blocked also, so made my
way across to the Second Avenue line.
There were delays here also, so that
it was quite late before reached the
street where Howells lived. In the
meantime the storm had gathered
strength; the wind blew fiercely, and
the mingled snow and sleet beat full
into my face as I made my way tow
ard the tall tenement to which l had
been directed. I found the number at
last; one of these immense, semi-gen-
teel apartment houses, a horror to look
upon. much more to be all one could
call "home." Pushing the button OF
the very topmost fat, the door opened
instantly, and, covered with snow, l
toiled up the stairs. On the upper
landing stood a woman, who ex-
claimed before she recognized me:
"Oh,. Jake, dear Jake, I am so re-
lieved-"
Suddenly she stopped, seeing a
stranger, and, clasping her hands, her
face, as could see even in the obscur-
ity, turned CHASTITY white.
"Is this Mrs. Howells?" I asked.
Eyes" she gasped. evidently over
come with apprehension, Ives; please
tell me, have you word from my hus'
band? Has-has-anything hap
| pened?"
AS quickly as possible relieved he1
anxiety by delivering my message and
the bill. I would have gone then at
once; but Mrs. Howells urged me to
come in. 1T was so kind of you tc
come, and such dreadful night. Mr.
Howells is not strong. Girls (she con
tinued joyously, your father is al
right; he was obliged to go out OF
town."
had not said this, but let it pass
The little room was 4 charming pic
ture of modest refinement and home
likeness. Two young women, who haC
been sitting by lamp. one engaged II
needlework, the other, having lait
down a book, rose and greeted me
Ladies, all Of them, that was evident
as we'll a. was the dep affection-al
most adoration-for the man whom
till that hour, had known as one who
could not have been classed as respect
able, much less as gentleman. l
was now, however, quite apparent
that desperate gap between the maj
Of the outside world and OF the home
and the hideous struggle he was en-
gagged in with the wolf Of poverty ant
to keep the little family together.
The next day Howells came to my
Office. He looked even more disrepu
table than ever after night in jail
but his voice rrembled as he thanked
me. Then his tone and manne
changed
"W'ell," said he, with harsh, hol
low laugh, II got off this time; 'tisn'
the first, and 'twon't be the last. fol
know your Aesop-the pitcher tina
goes often to the we'll is bound to ge
broken some day"
After this | used to do little more
than nod to Mr. Howells; in fact, sew
eral times 1 even threw little bust
. .>on, liz ,ro1, nnna bn mo IN M