The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1905-06-02

the gates with nine pennies in his
possession. Yesterday he had four,
and they bought him three meals.
Today, copperless, and soaked with
atmospheric ooze, ne was gliding
through the Strand.
ut is time to retire from work." he
said, cosnmuning with himself. 81
will claim my due"
He came nearer to his due as he
threaded the labyrinthine streets in
the early dusk, with the lamps light
ing up the death-pallor of his fire
features.
Anon, he paused at large, very
large house, and rang the bell, boldly,
at the front Goor-as gentleman
should.
The sound echoed through the
quiet corridors. There was clatter
of bolts and locks. A person in uni
form came to the door.
MAY l come in?" asked Sir Leon
ard, suavely.
"All right" exclaimed the porter;
and in Sir Leonard stepped.
For the first time shudder ran
through him as the door swung be-
hind him and the bolts were drawn.
(which is my roem?" he asked,
presently.
Hold on" exclaimed the porter.
None O. that. Hand over what's In
yer pockets. Yer can sign for en-.
and get 'em when yer go ont again.
II have nothing in my pockets. or
anywhere else," observed Sir Leon
ard. "Nor do desire to come out
again. nave come permanently. II
you will kindly show mo to my room.
and bring me up little food-as
am very hungry shall be obliged.
Oh" was the reply, you're one
O. them sort, are yer-comc for life!
Well. your rooms the bathroom ter
start with. and plenty OF soap. Dye
hear? Don't forget the soap.
Sir Leonard did mol think the por-
ter very affable person. nor did mis-
manners appear to be those OF the
drawing room But he allowed them
to pass without rebuke.
Thank you." he said. II shall be
delighted with a bath"-and he pro-
ceeded to pass along the corridor in
search Of the same.
Here. you hold on" called the
porter. Yer go on as If yer owned
the whole workhouse. What's yer
name?"
He glared at his visitor. He had
never received one Of this kind. and
he had had fifteen years experience.
"Sir Leonard hBurnleigh.
There was neither brag nor buster
in the tone.
II in other and happier circum-
stances Sir Leonard had been asked
the question by powdered footmen
whose duty it was to announce. his
entrance at the reception OF West
End hostess, his tone would not nave
been perceptibly different.
The porter laughed increduously.
Then he stood grinning from ear to
ear.
"Sir-what?" he chuckled. "Say it
against cap
sorts. but not humor. So, without fur
Their parley. he started of to go III
search of the bathroom, but again he
was called back.
Here! Stop, tell yer, Lord
What did yer say yer name was!"
Sir Leonard Burnleigh-Burnleigh.
I fear you are little deaf" answer
ed Sir Leonard, with a suggestion OF
annoyance and impatience; not at
anything the man had said, put al
what he regarded as unnecessary
formality in an institution in which
he had always understood all were as
welcome as the flowers Of May.
1t was on this supposition thst in
other days he had paid mis- heavy poor
rates regularly. Besides, he was hum
cry and damp, and felt generally un-
comfortable.
The porter glared harder.
Well" Ae exclaimed, clicking his
tongue sad shaking his head up and
down n the manner Of a man who
had con,- TO she conclusion that won
ders would nsver cease, trade must
really be dull. as the pape'.s say, for
we are a-getting of 'em. Monday. Prof.
SnafIie. G. B. r. NJ. G.:Toosday, the
Hon. Chollom-Chulmundeley-C humley-
Chollom; an now, Wednesday. you
have to think up your spelling to
write down such name as Sir--
Tere. Bill" he called down the corri-
dor, "show the Prince O. Wales to his
bath! So long. old Nobility" he SAIL
to Sir I.eonard-"hop it-and don't
forget the scrubbing brush!"
The porter watched Bill take Sir
Leonard down the corridor in the
direction of the bathroom. and then,
tapping his own head with forefin-
ger, as he entered his little office, he
murmured softly to himself:
Surprising what worry does for
'em. He's gone clean cracked"
A fortnight afterward, when Sir
Leonard had settled down to the