Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1904-09-22
SHORT STORY FOR
EVENING HOURS
HOW he BEAT THE GAME

ing that stretched from cross street
to cross street, and yet 1t seemed to
greatly interest the boy who stood on
the curb and stared up at the long
rows of windows, with their gilt let.
tering. For a time he did not find just
what he expected to see, but presently
his face lightened and a half smile
lifted the corners OF his mouth.
He was not a city boy; that was
easy to be seen. His clothes lacked
the fit and style Of the city lads and
his felt hat, in particular was Of tho
wide brimmed variety so much affect
ed by the rural youth. But he was a
sturdy lad in spite of his coarse shoes
and his sunburned face. and there was
sn air of determination about him that
appealed even to the passing police
man.
"Hullo, me lad" he said, as he slow.
~ sauntered by. 81 hope ye haven't a
pressing Apartment with any of the
lads up there. They are not the sort
that a country by can do any payin
business with"
The boy laughed.
Il have little business up there
he said with a nod towards the nearest
hallway, but II doesn't mean either
gold bricks or green goods"
The big policeman paused.
Il see you read the papers, me lad.
die" he laughed. But they're foxy
lot, these get.rich.quick fellers, an
you'll do well to keep your eyes wide
open"
They'll find me poor picking" said
the boy. "All I've got about me is q
return ticket an dollar n guar
ter-and the quarters Canadian one.'
The big officer waved his hand.
You're husky lookin' lad" he said,
IAN wouldn't like to see harm come
to you. IL they try any OF their games
just put your head out of the window
and call the police. won't be far
away" He paused and looked back
l"Who is 1t in particular you're seekin'?'
"Grampian 4 Co."
The officer shook his head.
They're a new lot" he said. But
there's no doubt the game is the same
old one. Well, so long" And he
stalked heavily away with his club
dangling jauntily from his wrist.
The boy looked after him for mo.
ment and then turned his eyes back to
the sign that cleaned from a window
on the fourth floor.
"Grampian & Co." he repeated.
That's the place" He looked after
the policeman again as If an idea had
struck him. Then he shook his head.
Got to play this out alone" he NUT
tered. Better get at it,"
He crossed the sidewalk and entered
the hallway. There was an elevator at
the rear with boy In a blue uniform
Longing at the door.
The elevator boy grinned when he
caught sight Of the newcomer.
"Hullo, country" he said.
The stranger smiled at the somewhat
rude salutation.
Il may be from the country" he
drawled, but | don't have to travel in
a cage"
You're all right" said the elevator
boy. Coin up"
The stranger shook his head.
I'm goin to walk up" he said. u
dunno how I'm comm down."
Amt book agent, are you?" the
elevator boy inquired.
mop"
Nor beggar?"
mop"
Nor a dog?"
The country lad shook his head
again.
ave only dscrimmynates gainst
book agents, beggars an dogs" the ele.
vator boy explained. IF you amt
none of these | guess you'll come down
all right Udderwise, you might get
throwed out de winder."
Thanks for the information" said
the country boy. "Mebbe III come down
with you II you happen to be passin'
at the time"
"l'll make 1t point to drop up an
git you II you presses de button" said
the elevator boy with q good natured
grin.
"See you later" said the stranger
and turned to the stairs. He climbed
up leisurely. He wasn't used to climb.
ing stairs and he faced the ascent with
o deliberation that made but slight in.
roads on his breathing apparatus. He
stared at the office doors as he passed
them, and wondered that all these little
hives of industry could lind 1t profit.
able to be thus grouped under one roof.
There was loud talking in some of the
rooms, there was laughter in others,
there was silence in most of them. And
then presently he reached the fourth
floor and slowly passed along the hall.
way until he came to door whose
clouded glass panel bore the name and
title of "Gramplan & Co., Investors" In
neat gold letters,