Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-05-02


 "No Jollyin', now" interrupted Joe. tsHe took an oath a while ago that he wouldn't get shave or hair cut till you cleaned your streets properly, but he's backed out"
 The barber exploded in guffaw.
 Lucky for him he has," he an swered, unless he means to hire out to Forepaugh or Buffalo Bill as the wild man of Borneo." While Rossiter's locks were being trimmed and his beard removed, Joe Becraft and his tonsorial friend kept their tongues continually wagging. Their conversation had chiefly to do with the town of their nativity and a certain portion of it's inhabitants, and Rossiter listened with not little inward amusement, for each young man had, in his way, sense of broad humor that flashed out in their com ments upon people. Finally the bar ber's task was accomplished, and he removed the so1led apron from Ros- siter's neck with flourish and a--
 "There you are, sir!" "Gosh!' Joe Becraft exclaimed, 1T wouldn't believe you were the same fellow" FE
 The change in the vagabond's ap- pearance was indeed great. His rather large, clear-cut features showed to an advantage without beard or mustache, and though the lines of his chin indicated a lack of decision, one studying his face for the first time would have said that it's possessor was endowed with q strong individuality. His deep brown eyes wese laughing and grave by turns. The discontent and bitterness which showed in the expression of his raouth were not to be seen habit ually. Dissipation had left no mark upon his countenance, for although at times Rossiter had imbibed freely, he was very far from being a drunk ard: indeed, he had no special taste for liquor, and had frequently re- sorted to it not so much because he craved it as because it took him out of himself.
 ,Becraft produced some silver and paid his townsfellow.
 ''Its my treat today" he ex- plained.
 They now retraced their steps to heneseo street, and followed this thoroughfare until they came to the elaborate lift-bridge spanning the Ontario canal From time to time Becraft regarded his new friend spec ulatively.
 "Say,' he at length broke out, as the three paused and leaned over the sJ 1fa bat that was moored below, you've been used to different sort of life, haven't you?''
 Rossiter did not reply at once.
 "Yes,'' he said finally
 Had an education, an all that?"
 sYes.''
 q thought so. You don't talk like well, like most of the people I snow.'
 "I'm not aware of any difference" "Oh, yes, you are. That is, you would be if you'd stop to think about I it.''
 q got through thinking some time ago, at least I so imagined until lately"
 You know, an education" said Be- craft, not needing Rossiter's last re- mark, ''is something I'm always wish in had. It's great thing
 i've certainly not done very much with mine,'' replied the wanderer.
 How'd it happen?"
 ''It's hard to say. don't doubt another-you, for instance, would have profited by it, but as for me" He ended with an expressive shrug of his shoulders.
 They continued to look at the steam-packet for several minutes longer, and then resumed their walk towards the Cottage hotel.
 Don't b'lieve we'd better say 1 anythin' about my swimmin' ex | perience to Ma, Jim," observed Joe l Becraft, as they left the main street for the narrower thoroughfare where the hotel they sought was l situated Like as not she'd have a blue fit.''
 "Bet she would replied Jim.
 'She's pretty nervous about my health sometimes" Joe explained. "You see, father died O consump- tion.'
 "Why should you say anything to her about it?" inquired Rossiter. Certainly, so far as I am aware, there's not the slightest reason for your doing so."
 "Oh, but want her to know some day what you did for me. I'll tell her about it up in the hop-yard. She won't take on so there. mean, she ]. zAh 2Rl4|zR K