Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1903-01-20
On the Rivers
Brin K y y

By ELIAS Isle
Copyright, 1901. by a. S. Richardson

w nat ulu you nave TO 20 duu PICK
out this pier fory' complained the
Waterman. You're only making me
trouble
s.Man is born to trouble as the sparks
fly upward" quoted the man. This
was the nearest ONE he added. He
was painting little.
"You'd never got a-past me if-if''--
If you hadn't been taking little
nap" suggested the man. well, it's
good night for''-he paused, glancing
down at the dark river. silvered over
with the wavy radiance Of the moon
light-''f for Sleep"
The watchman shuddered. you amt
really going to do it, he said entreat-
ing1y and edged forward. The COM
pany which employed him was opposed
TO suicides off its piers.
"Don't come any nearer now"
warned the man, unless you want to
hurry me-"
There was long silence, accentuated
by the nervous putting of a beiated tug
far out on the river and the slapping Of
the little waves against the pierhead.
The man was leaning against pile at
the extreme end of the pier. Within
arms length of him a steamship, made
fast, upreared its dark hulk. If some
one would only reach out of portfolio
and seize him was the wild hope of the
Waterman. The man Strengthened up
and stretched himself
Pardon this natural hesitation" he
said lightly. 1T is time / went
Hold on.' cried the Waterman.
"Don't-don t-don't be In hurryv' 1t
was the best he could do on the spur of
the moment. The man laughed, but he
paused Desperately the Waterman
CROPPED for something-anything to say.
But the power of light and genial con-
yersation. which is a special gift of
those who watch by night, had gone
from him.
what do you want to do it for, any
way!' he finally burst out.
"I'm justifiable suicide" replied the
man.
"a what?' This was beyond the
watchman's ken.
"a justifable suicide. You've heard
of a justifiable homicide, haven't you?
Well, I'm a justiiable suicide have
a right to kill myself"
mot off'n this pier" said the watch
man, with conviction.
Nobody will know where I jumped
in unless you tell them. The current
will carry the body away"
Don't talk that way" besought the
Waterman, sitting down heavily on the
stringpfece of the pier. IL don't like
it."
I'm glad to see you sit down." OBJ
served the man, because now ] need
not watch you so closely for fear You
might make a rush. If you dfd'-he
glanced again at the swift water
s.we'd both go, and | wouldn't like to
take you from a steady job"
The Waterman caught at the last
words. Maybe you're out of work. Ii
it's that, know job might get you
tomorrow"
II don't reckon | shall be candidate
for any job tomorrow, thank YOU said
the man grimly.
"Oh," said the Waterman blankly.
Obviously he lad got ON the wrong
track. He tried another. IF it's from
being broke"
sThat reminds me- interrupted the
other He pulled handful of bills OUT
of his pocket and laid them ON plank.
'sThere are several dollars there /
shall not need them where I'm going.
The money may be of some use to you
If you don't mind using dead mans
wealth."
1T wouldn't hardly be lucky, would
it?v faltered the Waterman
"Most people aren't so squeamish
about legacies. Don't worry; l won't
haunt you"
"Maybe it's woman that's the trou-
ble,' pursued the Waterman desperate
ly, having struck. another trail But
you've got right to wait and see how
it turns out. knew Dutchman that
lived in the same house with me, and
the lady he was keeping company with
threw him down. He turned on the
gas. but somebody turned it off again.
Say, in three months he was so stuck
on another lady that he was talking
about killing himself again.
Curious people, the Germans" re-
marked the man absently.
The bafiled Waterman rubbed his
head painfully and patiently tried
again If it's sickness that's driving
you to it, you don't want-to be too quick
about it, cause you can't never tell.
Like as not 1t amt as bad as you think.
There was friend OF my brothers in
the grocery business shot himself On
account Of not having good health, and
the autopsy showed that he could have
been fixed all right ii he had went to a
good doctor"
I'm well enough in body" said the
man shortly.
You don't talk like man that's era
w." ventured the Waterman
NO? That's surprising, all things
considered" remarked the man bitter
~.
SAY. pardner." said the Waterman
appealingly. IF you're bound to 60 you
might as well tell me who you are and
what you're doing it for. It'd save a
lot of trouble to the coroner
"Yery thoughtful Of you. Well, I'm
John Smith-that's d lie; thirty four
years old; no friends, no relatives, to
speak of-that's the truth; live at $50
Fifth avenue that's a lie. And I'm
doing this because it's the only thing
for me to do
That's another" said the watch
man promptly. He leaned over the
side OF the pier. swinging his arm in q