The National tribune., 1904-08-04
WOES OF A PENNILESS MAN.
Cheek Makes Successful Campaign Against Appalling Conditions

felt the perspiration trucking down my
| forehead at this crushing answer. Nerved
to elOQuence. / implOred him to aid
wretched fellow creature.
Perhaps you're engaged yourself" l
whispered, eagerly. You wouldn't like TO
| have your evenings entertainment spoiled
and perhaps a lifetime's happiness jeop-
ardized because a stony-hearted man re-
fused to trust you few hours. Be mer-
cfn"'
The appeal moved him He glanced
uneasily at the ring.
But | don't know who you are" he
murmured hesitatingly.
Oh. for card! But my one and only
piece of pasteboard was secure i'm the Gus
| tody of the proprietor of the New Empire
| Restaurant.
| Happy thought. Again | withdrew Sir
Johns invitation from its resting place.
Inscribed i'm the bottom left-hand corner
was my name and address. What a virtue
is method-especially in titled people.
For the second time the crested note
paper of my only swagger friend turned
| the fortunes of war. | got my tickets. and
bounded up the stairs with joyous steps.
How | reveed in The One and Only
Girl" How l laughed at the jokes of the
comedians. and how l appiauded the eff
forts Of the artistes! l felt like the vic
toriOus general tasting the delights of
home after a hard-won campaign.
The programs are free at the Frivolity
Sensible custom. There is only one
entr'acte. Delightful idea. The girl pur-
veying coffee and chocolates paid me
marked attention | thought. but / evaded
the danger by timely alusion to the evi!
effects of drinking coffee or eating choco-
lates after dinner
When the curtain had come down for
the last time breathed a sigh of unutter-
| able relief
The coppers which now reposed in my
pocket would defray the bus fares 10 Char
ing Cross Station. and then all would be
peace. Reryl had her season ticket, and
my return half.
Slowly we made our way out Of the
theater. ooh. Jack. l have enjoyed my
self so much" whispered Beryl; and took
advantage of the crush to squeeze her dear
little hand unnoticed.
But my ordeal was not yet over, for
when we emerged l perceived, to my dis
may. that it had been raining, and slight
drizzle was still falling.
Then came the great, final blow.
Jack. dear. think you can take me to
| the station in a cab" said Beryl, after a
| glance at the weather conditions But
mind you don't give the man more than a
shilling
L laughed bitter, ironical, despairing
travesty of mirth. had triumphed at the
restaurant. Snatched victory from disaster
| at the theater, and now / was to meet my
Waterloo in the shape of a misera BILE shil-
ling cab fare.
| A cab dashed toward us. Black tragedy
doomed before my eyes. Only confession
would avert the coming catastrophe.
'Beryl," | said humbly, fearfully.
Then strange thing happened, as the
novelists say. The horse slipped and fell
to the ground. kicking furiousy.
| Beryl grasped my arm in terror.
Its all right now, Beryl," / whispered
cheerfully. 1.-The horse is up again."
Like pOker-player with a poor hand,
was attempting a superb bluff" secure
in the knowledge of my opponents weak
| ness.
Get into the cab?" screamed Beryl.
| Il wouldn't for worlds after that
OF course | expostulated; but Beryl al
ways has her own way.