Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1904-12-17

ulIu tii'tt EOuc We &c "
follow. and none ever complained that
l heard of. BE a man, Joe. Grip hands
and let us drop together
Joe shrank from the edge little
quickly for man on the point of sui
eide. See here" he said. Il don't
know that | feel SO keen about 1t as l
did just now. The bays always here
guess
II suppose you're like me-" said the
man in spectacles. Not red cent in
the world
Three days ago l blew in my last
nickel" said Joe; 1.-The very last nickel
I'm ever likely to touch. You see, l
never had no chances when l was
kid. was raised in the silly. old fash
Toned way-taught to beg honest and
tell the truth and not to cinch the Wild
ow and orphan. Say old Teller. for
men in our fix it's the bay or San QUEEN
tin. and ! guess we've made the right
| choice"
'And l." said his companion-'I could
kill a man for loaf of bread | could
fight Il dog for the dirty crust of one.
stone and holding up the beanery over
there Yet I'm so weak and trembling
that girl could knock me over Good
by. joe" lie added swiftly. You're
fool to stay. I'm off,
Joe seized the slight figure in his
powerful grasp. mo. no. he cried.
when we go we shall gokogether."
The man struggled for moment and
then fell to crying on Joe's shoulder
like IL child
brace up. ole man. said Joe. chat
ing the icy hands. I'VE will come out
all right. It's Christmas night. and
somewhere or other I'll bet there's
spread even for the likes of u.s.
His companion slowly began to come
round He shook himself free from
Joe and stood up.
"Have yoc any bounce left in you?"
asked Joe. Would you 20 to a turkey
dinner if got you an invite?"
"What do you mean?"
81 will tale unfold" said Joe. Il
was walking down Market behind some
folks. and somehow. l hardly know
| L
talking of. Says one: Sad about Mrs.
Glecson. amt it? Never heard from
her son Irving in Alaskan, not for two
years It's her only son. says the
other. Harry got killed in New Mex
| leo. Where's the ole lady living now!
says one oh. she's at 2719 Banning
says the other. No. 2I19 was the num-
Der Of my girls home east. and it stuck
to me- Now. see here. partner. have
you the gall to come with me and fetch
the ole woman some news from Alas
kar: | saw on the bulletin that the
Portland was expected every minute
from st. Michael's. What say?"
| Leave me alone" said the other.
Cant you see I'm done and only want
TO de-"
Never say die" cried Joe. Brace
up. ole man. for were going to tramp
from Klondike to 2119 Banning street,
and as for this pocketful of rocks.
which guessed would help me drown,
I'll just leave 'em as pleasant sur
prise for the harbor commissioners.
And with that Joe unloaded his peck
cts of road metal and passed his arm
through that of his unresisting COM
panion.
whats your name partner?" asked
Joe.
The other hesitated. There's no rea-
son why l should be ashamed to tell
you" he said at last. ITS Sampson
Lyle"
".AIl right. Sampson" said Joe Just
keep your mind on that dinner. for. by
gum. we're going to have it,
Weak and furnished as they were. it
was slow work to struggle all the way
to Rannin. street. and Sampson Lyle
gave out repeatedly. Again and again
he rested on some dark doorstep. while
Joe stood over him and heartened him
to fresh exertions. At last they began
to draw near the block for which they
were searching. long row of cheap
one story frame houses facing stone
yard full of unlettered tombstones.
Joe stepped up to 2719 and knocked
loudly at the door.
| 1t was opened by an old woman with
a lamp in her hand who barred the
door aggressiveiy with her bent ami
slender figure. She studied the pair
with prim disfavor. what do you
want!' she asked sharply.
For one instant Joe was taken aback.
He said not word. The woman low
cred the lamp and made a motion as
though to slam the door in their faces.
Hold on" cried joe Amt you
Mrs Gleason? Amt you Irving's
| maw:'
| The old woman turned white rs a
sheet. and the lamp began to shake in
her withered hands.
1.-The Portland's just in" went OH
joe Irving said we were to scoot for
you first thing"
| The old woman seized Joe by the
arm. Take the lamp: take it before it
drops. oh. my boy. my boy she
gasped. staring into the darkness.
That's Sampson Lyle" said Joe.
ooh. come in. come in. both of you
cried the old woman. recovering her
self n little her sallow face flushing
and paling ''Oh. what Christmas