The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-07-15

DunCn Danan. 1Ou lOOk-d nuH-BTe an dis make food for three, four day -one whole week" The corners of his eyes took in the woman, whose bit of shawl had suddenly dropped. showing pretty, pinched face that expressed a pitifu1 mingling of hunger and longing. Even the mans eyes mar rowed and gleamed a little at the sight of the fruit. For two whole days no tramp had dared to beg in the city. Food for one long week, for two peoples" Petro added. con- vincingly.
 Yes. yes. yes" the woman broke in sharply, you must, Tony. I'll help you"
 All right" lazily. but you needn't help. I guess I can manage it. Where s your cart. boss?"
 An hour later the last load had been taken and dumped into the har- bor. and Tony was back for his ban- anas. But as the missNipsn bunch with its decayed cluster was handed out his face wrinkled doubtfully. ''Shrunk some. aint it. boss?" he asked, suspiciously, "an' gettin' gray fast? But never mind. though" his voice suddenly changing as he got a whiff of the fragrance. T guess we can eat even the stalk just now. Here give 1t to me. quick! We'll take fl down to one O the wharves where we can eat sort O quiet like" But before they reached the first corner there came the sound of slow measured steps. which to their prac- ticed ears was unmistakable. A po- liceman was approaching, and in an- other minute would swing round upon their street. Beside them was a mar row alley leading to tCe back en- trance of house, and the gate was unfastened. Tony's movements were sluggish only on unimportaht occa- sions. When the policeman turned the corner they were crouching in the all ley behind an ash barrel, scarcely dar- ing to breathe.
 Not until the measured steps had gone beyond hearing did they venture out. Tony was breathing heavily
 T can't stand this much longer Pima" he gasped. Seven watchdogs this day have we lodged, and by a hairs breadth. If we're caught it'll be month. maybe two, maybe six and with hard work, for the city, too If 1t keeps on like this I'll be tempt. ed to go to work for myself". Yes the woman acquiesced. bet ter work for self than for city"
 They had made but a few blocks to-
 
 less eyes caught sight of another po- liceman rounding corner ahead. only one block away. And, worse yet, he turned in their direction. There was no alley near. no side street no open doorway into which they could dodge nothing but garbage barrel wait ing for the street cleaners; with a board leaning against it. Tony's eyes made one comprehensive sweep, and then stopped at the barrel Quick. Pima. Quick! Quickw he whispered. Drop down your skirt, the under red one. I want it." In an instant he had swung the hoard across the barrel. caught the torn red skirt which Seppina handed him. and draped 1t dexterously so that both the board and barrel were con- cealed and the folds covered their own rents It was an ideal stand of the small. Italian type. with it's covering of dirty gray-colored cloth
 Now. help break up the bananas, Pina," he whispered, briskly, "in one. two, an three. an make 'em spread over the stand We're sellin' fruit, you know"
 The policeman was not yet half up the block. When he drew near Tony was shouting. cheerily: "Bananas here; bananas, only-two-cents s apiece"
 The policeman looked at them rather sharply, Tony thought. though he pas sed on without saving anything. But as soon as he reached the next block Tony began to gather up the fruit
 We've got to get away from here, quick" he calculated. That feller's comin' back in a few minutes to ask for our stand license. I seen it in his eyes. An it'll be worse for us than just bein 'tramps I guess we'd better be leavin' the city. though I hate to. it's such a nice place. I wanted to hang out here all winter"
 How much for your bananas?" came q voice from above. Tony start ed and looked up. A woman was lean ing from a window.
 Why, 1.-two cents," he stam- mered.
 T know-I heard that, I mean for the lot"
 Tony glanced dubiouslv at his fruit
 There's 39." he said. slowly. but some's spilled. I guess 50 cents"
 'Very well. I'll take them. Hand them in at the door Here's your money and a coin rattled on the pavement at Tonys feet.
 He had not thought of selling any hananas-had not wanted to, in fact. But there was, no help for 1t now A few minutes later he was hurrying down the sidewalk with Seppina, the 50 cents clutchcd in his fingers.
 SposP we go straight an blow this into grub house?" he said.
 But Seppina was looking thought full.
 Why not 20 and buy bananas?" she suggested Eve seen great. big punches sold at the wharves for loss than 90 cents"
 Tony stopped suddenly then slap ped his thighs. The suggestion hal carried his quick mind to a great thought
 The very thing" he cried; "an' sell 'em, too. I hate work much as any, body in this world; but we've got to do something, with the watchdops swoopin' down on Us, an banana sell in is almost as easy as trampin' guess. Only we've got to go safe. You know that house where they offered us work tother day. an we said we w'n't in the workin' business? We'll we'll go back there, You can cook fer a week-you're pretty good at it-o,' I'll saw their wood. A week'n giva ue money 'nough to buy reg'lar straight out license so we can snap our fingers at the watchdogs. an we'll have scme for few punches O bananas. The very thing. What q you sayY"
 The very thing" Seppina repeS-e1 her eyes bright.