The Brunswick daily news. [volume] (Brunswick, Ga.) 1903-1906, 1903-05-24

the first, and 'twon't be the last. You
know your Aesop-the pitcher that
goes often to the well is bound to get
broken some day."
After this / used to do a little more
than nod to Mr. Howells; in fact, sew
eral times l even threw a little bust
ness in his way. Once he came to me
On matter where / was really of
very considerable assistance. When it
was concluded he asked me to go out
and take lunch with him. Don't OBJ
ject," he said heartily, ION account of
its coming out of my pocket. 1t won't;
the man I'm doing this for puts up,
and this will go in; BESIDES" he added,
consciously, "I'll not take you to any
swell place"
We lunched at q little place-not
Swell" but good in its way. and there
he let out much of his heart to me.
1t was pitiful to hear him tell of the
miserable shifts and devices by which
he gathered together the few dollars
needful-pitiful to me, knowing what
the mans home life was.
do you think I don't know well
enough what people say of me? Yes,
they call me blood-sucker, and-no,
don't shake your head-that's not the
worst; some will tell you I'm an out
and-out scoundrel who ought to be in
State prison. But, Mr.. -" he laid
his hand impulsively upon my arm,
sI oiUn INV hofn1.o God
that never in my life have 1 done a
dishonest act. Yes. I've been arrested
more times than that once you know
of; but it was always as a scapegoat
for some other mans rascality. Hit
him; he's got on friendsn that's the
cry around Wall and Broad streets.
What a dreadful business mine is!
know it; but 1 can't get out of it;
l can't try some other more decent.
God knows 1 would if saw my way,
but don't. When mans past sixty
no one wants him. Besides, l know
this business of shaving third and
fourth class paper clear down to the
ground; know that and nothing else.
Now, Sthis piece of business; how much
do you suppose I'll net out of it?''
1.-TWO hundred" 1 suggested, know
ing what his commissions ought. II. t.
have been.
"Divide that faction. sdid How
ellis coolly. ;Mont' :1ackal like me
get his full admissions; Not much;
I'm allowed for expense carare, this
lunch and odds and ends; but before l
got the job had to agree to take an
even ten. Oh! I'm not worrying; it's
the best days work I've done in six
months"
From time to time during the follow
ing summer 1 saw Howells, always in
haste, always anxious, but his greeting
was always genial smile and a
hearty Good day" He never pre-
sumed upon my good offices. 1t was
late one afternoon the following No
vember that messenger brought me
a brief note from him He was laid
up, he wrote, with bad cold and
there was little matter of business
he wanted looked after. The papers
inclosed were all in good shape. 1t
was after business hours; but in his
calling they stay down town late.
l did what he asked willingly, col
lected the amount, and sent it by the
messenger. A week passed, and the
same thing happened again. This time
he wrote at considerable length. He
was very ill; too i'll TO be out such a
harsh day. He had no one he could
trust (the word ''trust'' underscored).
Would I mind obliging him just once
more? 1t was a beseeching-almost
cringing-letter He might have known
me better. I did the errand, collected
Sc. added $40, and inclosed a line say
ing that 1 was glad to be of service.
and that the ten was Eat his entire
convenience" The. next day a postal
came, undated, and the handwriting
tremulous. hardly legible. 1t said
simply: 80. X. Many thanks. You'll
get it later
About a week after that, while /
was sitting at my desk in the Office.
the door opened hastily and Howells
staggered in. My first thought was
that he had been drinking, for his
manner was wild, his eyes sunken
and bloodshot, and his usual p!nched
and haggard expression intensified
tenfold.
Excuse me for one moment, Mr.
-" he said. painting like a winded
dog, "I'll get my breath shortly"
When he had recovered himself he
began at once, talking very fast-there
was a policy on his life, taken out more
than ten years before. Originally for
five thousand, it would now be worth
to his heir; upward of nine thousand.
THE premium is due to-day; this is
the very last day or the policy will
lapse. It mustn't lapse; that's the long
and short Of if. My family would get
over nine thousand If | should die to-
morrow if that premium is paid. If /
should die tomorrow" he repeated,
choking. I've got fifteen of it, Can't
you help me out with the balance
For Gods sake try and help me
out"
l did not keep him in doubt, but
opened my pocketbook and counted out
the twenty that he said was needed.
Howells eyed the money as famished
man might food. As he clutched the
bills, the mans joy seemed quite IN.
speakable. He did, however, manage
to stammer out in the intervals of fit
of painful coughing what he called his
deep gratitude
You'll, get this back. good friend"
be said huskily at the door. Never