The sun. (Jacksonville, Fla.) 1905-1908, 1906-07-21
THE JUNGLE

pains but ruined evening: while. as for going to
law about 1t, you might as well so to heaven az
once The saloon keeper stood In with all the
big politics men In the district; and when You
had once found out what IL meant to get into
trouble with such people you would know enough
to pay what you were told to pay and shut up.
What made all this the more painful was th,tt
1t was so hard on the few that had really done
their best. There was poor old ponas Jokubas,
for instance-he had already given five dollars,
and did not every one know that JOkubas Sxe1.
villas had just mortgaged his decatessen store
for two hundred dollars to meet several months
overdue rent? And then there was withered old
poni Aniele-who was widow, and had three
children, and the rheumatism besides. and dill
washing for the tradespeople on Halsted street at
prices II would break your heart to hear named.
Aniele had given the entire profit Of her chickens
for several months Eight OF them she owned,
and she kept them In a little place fenced around
on her back stairs. All day long the children OF
Aniele were raking In the dump for food for
these chickens; and sometimes, when the compa-
tition there was too fierce, you might see them on
Halsted street, walking close to the cutters, and
with their mother following to see that no one
robbed them OF their finds
Money could not tell the value of these chickens
to old Mrs Jukniene-she valued them differ.
emily, for she had feeling that she was getting
something for nothing by means or them-that
with them she was getting the better Of world
that was getting the better Of her In so many
other ways So she watched them every hour OF
the day, and had learned to see like an owl at
night to watch them then. One Of them had
been stolen long ago, and not month passed
that some one did not try to steal another. As
the frustrating OF this one attempt involved
score OF false alarms, 1t will be understood what
tribute old Mrs. Jukniene brought, just because
Teta Elzbieta had once loaned her some money
for few days and saved her from being turned
out of her house.
More and more friends gathered round while
the lamentations about these things was going on.
Some drew nearer hoping to overhear the con-
versatiOn, who were themselves among the guilty
and surely that was a thing to try the patience
or saint. Finally there came Jurgis, urged by
some one, and the story was retold him. Jurgis
listened In silence with his great black eyebrows
knitted. Now and then there would come a
CLEAN underneath them and he would glance
about the room. Perhaps he would have liked to
go at some Of those fellows with his big clenched
fists; but then, doubtless he realized how little
good 1t would do him. No bill would be any less
for turning out any one at this time; and then
there would be the scandal-and Jurgis wanted
nothing except to get away with Ona and let the
world go its own way. So his hands relaxed and
he merely said quietly: 1T Is DONE and there
Is no use Of weeping, Teta Elzbleta."
Then his look turned toward Ona who stood
close to his side and he saw the wide look OF ter
ror In her eyes. Little one," he said, In low
voice, do not worry--it will not matter to us.
We will pay them all somehow. I will work hard.
err" That was always what Jurgis said. Ona
had grown used to 1t the solution of all difcul-
Llthuania when one official had taken his pass
port from him, and another had arrested him for
being without It, and the two had divided third
of his belongings. He had said It again In New
York, when the smooth-spoken agent had taken
them In hand and made them pay such high
prices, and almost prevented their leaving his
place, In spite Of their paying. Now he said It q
third time, and Ona drew deep breath: 1t was 80
wonderful to have husband. just like grown
woman-and a husband who could solve all prop.
lens, and who was so big and strong .
The last sob of little Sebastijonas has been
stihed, and the orchestra has once more been re-
minded Of Its duty The ceremony begins again
but there are few now left to dance with, and 80
very soon the collection is over and promiscuous
dances once more begin. It Ia now after mid
night, however and things are not as they were
before. The dancers are dull and heavy--most
of them have been drinking hard, and have long
ago passed the stage of exhilaration. They dance
In monotonous measure, round after round hour
after hour, with eyes fixed upon vacancy as n
they were only half conscious, in constantly
growing stupor. The men grasp the women very
tightly, but there will be half an hour together
when neither will see the others face Some
couples do not care to Dance and have retired TO
the corners where they sit with their arms an.