Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-10-10

decayed cluster was handed out his face wrinkled doubtfully.
 "Shrunk some, ain't 1t, boss?" he asked, suspiciously, san' gettin' gray fast? But never mind, though" his voice suddenly changing as he got a whiff of the fragrance. "I guess we can eat even the stalk just now. Here, give it to me, quick! We'll take it down to one O the wharves where we can eat sort O quiet like.''
 But before they reached the first cor ner there came the sound of slow, measured steps, which to their prac- ticed ears was unmistakable. A DO. iceman was approaching, and in another minute would swing round upon their street. Beside them was narrow alley leading to the back en- trance of house, and the gate was unfastened. Tony's movements were sluggish only on unimportant occa- sions. When the policeman turned the corner they were crouching in the alley behind an ash barrel, scarcely daring 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, Pina," he gasped. Seven watch dogs 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 tempted to go to work for myself
 'sYes," the woman ,acQuiesced, "bet- ter work for self than for city,
 They had made but a few blocks to- ward. the wharves when Tony's rest less eyes caught sight of another policeman 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 a garbage barrel waiting for the street cleaners, with board leaning against it. Tony's eyes made one comprehensive sweep. and then stopped at the barrel
 Quick, Pima. Quick! Quick" he whispered Drop down your skirt, the under red one. want it'
 Tn an instant he had swung the board 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-coiored cloth.
 Now, help break up the bananas, Pima" he whispered, briskly, fin one two, an three, an make lem 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 apiece!"
 The policeman looked at them rather sharply, Tony thought. though he passed on without saying anything. But as soon as he reached the next block Tony began to gather up the fruit.
 --sssWesves got to get away from here, quick" he ejacu1atsd. "That feller's comin' back in aefew minutes to ask for our stand license. seen 1t in his eyes. An it'll be worse for us than just bein' tramps. guess we'd better be leavin' the city, though hate to, it's such nice place. wanted to hang out here all winter"
 How much for your bananas?" came voice from above. Tony started and looked up. A woman was leaning from window.
 Why, 1.-two cents" he stam- mered.
 , T know-I heard that. mean for the lot?''
 Tony glanced dubfously at his fruit.
 There's 39,'' he said, slowly; .sbut some's spilled. I guess 50 cents.''
 tevery well. I'll take them. Hand them in at the door Here's your money" and coin rattled on the pavement at Tony's feet.
 He had not thought of selling any bananas-had not wanted to. in fact. But there was no help for it now. A few minutes later he was hurrying down the sidewalk with Seppina. the 50 cents clutched in his fingers.
 tS'pose we go straight an blow this into grub house?" he said.
 But: Seppina was looking thought full.
 "Why not go and buy bananas?" she suggested. ''I've seen great, big punches sold at the wharves for less than 50 cents"
 Tony stopped suddenly, then slapped his thighs. The suggestion had car ried his quick mind to great thought
 seThe 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 watehdogs swoopin' down on us, an banana se11in' is almost as easy as trampin', I guess Only we've got to go safe. You know that house where they offered us work t'other day, an we said we want in the workin' business? We'll, we'll go back there You can cook for a week you're pretty good at it,--an' I'll saw their wood. A week'll give us money 'nough to buy reg'lar straight