Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1904-08-03
ROBINSON'S
CHANCE
BY A. N. DAVIES
OGDEN

.r,rnineIy. The bishop. with final
hand pressure, turned to the car steps.
aNow. don't forget" he said earnest
= II am not DESTROYS OF seeming TO
.rooeh" his kindly smile flashing cot
ar second, but IL the opportunity
.,,pss give n fellow creature chance.
me wav to make people trustworthy
!, N trust them" he added impressive.
= The listener nodded Clad as he
S.,s In rough corduroy trousers thrust
,,to long boots. blue flannel shirt and
handkerchief knotted loosely about the
nowerful throat he looked n man to In
auonce others. and the bishop. no
mean reader of men. was satisfied
~ wish that / could have remained
a hlt longer" he thought regretfully as.
be settled himself comfortably In the
wide seat. -Four days Is really too
short for paroehial visit"
The man left behind heartily echsed
The Bishops sentiments II had been
Ike breath out OF another world. this
few days intercourse with a lofty and
cultivated personality. Under his own
calm blue eyes lay an ardent and en-
thusiastIc nature. which had as yet
found but little to develop IT, The
bishops inspiring talk had awakened
an instant response that now made IT,
self felt as an unsatisfied want His
yes followed the train like those of
hungry dog. then drifted back to the
primitive station. the long. straight
line Of tracks and the siding where
row Of freight cars stood waiting for
the morning. with vague distaste for
II all
Makes q fellow sorter want some
thing better" he reflected, turning
slowly away. Give some fellow crea-
ture chance. hey? Well, there's plen-
ty out here needs IT, Dare say do
myself"
With grim ehuckle he strobe on
down the narrow cabin lined street.
where the afternoon sun was now
ainglug long shadows across Its ugli-
ness. Men in groups hung about the
doors OF rival saloons. Several hailed
him. but Robinson only shook his head
sbsently. Then, as his eyes fell on a
man slouehing lazily along. his face
frightened
THAT pesky tramp has been hanging
about for week asking for work" be
thought. Suppose | try him. Here
YOU" he called aloud. The man. star.
tied, came forward suspiciously, his
eye ON Roblnsou's hip pocket The lat
ter frowned
Here, wake up" he growled You
say you want work Go up to my cab
in then. fix it up and then-then wait
till | come" his invention giving out.
The man only stared. aud Robinsons
wrath oyertlowed
Don't stand gaping there Ike
blasted Idiot" he roared. Get along
with you and double quick too. See
you have things well cleaned up by the
time get there. or I'll make 1t hot for
you. Here's the key"
Robinson's methods We're convincing.
and the man after one glance to assure
himself of the speakers sincerity
turned and departed in haste. With a
relieved sigh Robinson crossed to the
nearest saloon.
"lt's on me. boys" he remarked
cheerfuily. "What'll you haveT'
When finally Robinson mounted the
hill to his cabin night had fallen. and
the memory of the tramp had entirely
escaped him. To his establishment the
cabin door stood open. thing unprec-
edented. and on the hearth lay the
last embers OF n fire. Recollection
came swiftly. and with hurried fingers
he lighted candle to gaze about the
tidied room. Everything seemed in or
der. But the man was gone. and, with
an exclamation. Robinson darted to
the cupboard. where were kept his
dearest possessions. Those new boots,
One glance sufflced - the boots were
gone. In their place stood a pair OF
rusty high lows. and at that sight Rob
inson's rage found words. In fluent and
picturesque English he cursed enphat-
ically and categorIcally himself. his be-