The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-08-22
By Rita
vanity "Kiy Rag "Ihe Sdh "P


lavishy that ardently desired salted and arsenica
fluid demonstrated beer dearly loved by surly Jim
and others of his class the other she kept The child
munched bread and cheese, compassionate woman.
wife of landlord gave him of weak tea to wash
it down. 1t hot to the child seemed
His mother inquired for lodging and told
Of fsherman's cottage where bed for herself and
the boy might be had. She left Jim talking and drink
ing with some rough looking men, apparently as des-
perate and almost well off the matter of this worlds
goods himself. He had desire to leave the bar
thal eongenlai OF SMOKE ana peer III eosis
time should force him to do He dismissed his family
usual blessing and turned his attention to mat
ters of greater interest.
The child dead with sleep and lay curled up in
his head against the wall The woman looked at
him doubfully. It seemed cruel to wake him. She re-
solved to seek the lodgings and then return Perhaps
by time Jim would also be ready for his viruous
couch and well earned repose.
drifted and out into the desoate night and
the strange loneliness of unknown place, and while
she wandered the boy slept and drean1t
It strange dream that came to him-a dream
filled with whispers and strange voices and odd, half
ineligible words; dream of something savage and
brutal, telling of deeds and as brutal OF
hairbreadth lurngs and hidngs in strange,
secret places of plot that held something of vengeance
audacity in its coils the 1nutter
ings unwound them into ineligible speech.
Still he dreamt
at must be tonight or never, mate,' he heard
voice say, and the hoarse of Surly Jim gave
response dropped into hints directions
He wondered it shaped itself figure
of stawart handsome young manhood A face bright
with the sunshine of life's hopefuness. kindly
touch that held neither shrinking patronage but
only the CHEEKY sympathy of one common humanity He
was very good to me: ia like to repay him somehow"
thought, sighed turned in his
sleep, and then awoke. The bar nearly empty of
drinkers lights being extnguished. He
two slouching figures passing Of the door and
recognized his fathers He stumbled to his feet
and pushed back the tangled hair from his forehead
behind the counter had her back turned She
putting away glasses and bottles.
He slipped out
81 spose mothers forgotten me- he said and stood
gazing the street. all dark and desolate
The water lay dusky rippleess sheet before him.
the outlines of boats and fishing craft and yachts at
Choir stood out black shadows ganst the lesser bacnes
night clouded sky. The bridge spanning
1ixi1in h
heard in the distance the stumbling steps and hoarse
of voices that pointed the those had
gone. His one instinct was to follow
Sleep and restored energy childish
frame He drew his ragged clothes about him shambled
They distance ahead, but he kept them in
sight, and climbed the steep hillside they cmebd it.
long street faced him. street of closed shops and
di1ny lit by scattered lamp posts They trod the
pavements. trod them also The street passed
quiet roadway trees bordered it, houses
rare bayng dog the hurry of cat disturbed
midnight prowng the sound of tethered creature
smelt the sweet OF autumn the fumes OF pruning weeds
of crushed dead leaves Of damp earth and empty subbe
fields few stars twined in the wide darkness OF the
sky There was no moon The winding road wound on
wards, white against blackness surrounding things,
and the two figures before him tramped steadily on.
And still he followed-not knowing why.
Had his wits been keener, his senses more alert he
would noticed that the trarping feet
had ceased abru but he paid no heed until turn OF
the revealed shadowless space emptiness.
Then he stood STILL wondering where they had what
to do with himself!
mound stones by roadside invited rest. He
sat down and sighed YEARLY His used to darkness
and sharp cats peered from side to side He
beside him a hedge backed by iron ratings. Ratings
habitaton; he staggered and went close to
them, and found It locked. He stood
ment wrapped in thought Suddenly a rough hand
cutched his shoulder and scream of terror broke from
his lips. He looked up into savage eyes, mouth
parted in brutal gibe question
words.
father beside him. The boy explained drear-
lily. He had followed because he didn't know what else
to do He thought they were still tramping Another
voice interposed. He that sury Jim had
A brief cooquy ensued. The boy could not follow
it's meaning but the grasp released
addressed by the stranger.
Look ere kiddie, dad an I ave a bit O. bust-
ere, an it's particular pressing. You're
just nick O. time to give elpin and, tc
say. along an do just you, there' be
sunnat for in the shape reward for good conduct
you've set eyes afore."
eyes, an mind you do as yer told" grunted SurlJ
jim "for If yer don't TIL slit that wizard YOUR
I'd choke puppy that yelped This ain
matter O. play, let me tell We're agoin to