The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1906-01-18


place" or common resort"
"Nicks Dead House" and The
Morgue" we're our names for the
place-and we knew it pretty well.
We were there not because we had
any cubable desires. but because we
had to be there. There were fires Within
us. and wherever the most for the
least was given. there we-and all the
brethren OF the burning thirst-could
be found.
We were not old acquaintance. For
the last two hours we had been neigh
bors in the lodging house. occupying
adjoining hunks. The common motive
made us meet in Nick's. and, as Gus
tomary among the sodden. we sat to-
gether TO travel jointly into forgetful-
ness.
Receiving our tubs" from the
greasy bartender. we chose a table near
the door
We drank our first tub" in silence.
Ordering another. our finances were
examined The prospect was horrible
only the price Of one more.
We drank slowly and smoked, and
then the other spoke
Il don't mind carrying the banner
and walking the streets for a night
/. it wasn't for the things a fellow
thinks about. tramping from one en1
of the town TO the other"
knew he was about TO tell me
few chapters from his life. and, not
wishing to encourage him too much
for we all have troubles of our own
made no reply.
only to think that less than two
years ago | didn't know there were
such places and such stuff as this" he
continued. And now I'm kicking be
cause can't get enough OF It. It's
fierce!"
Are you only two years on the
bum?" asked. Stimulating interest
That's ali. and don't You think it's
long enough to be carrying the ban
ner. or sleeping in them ten-cent
hunks. and getting your chuck either
in a fve-cent beanery or at some base
ment door? And nothing to drink only
.tubs?"
well. IL you feel that bad about it.,
why don't you quit being on the bum2"
Yes. why don't /? Why don't you
or any of u.s." he sneered. None Of
Us knows what it is. but once we get
down this far. something goes out o
YOU. and you're stuck for good. And
then they boiler: It's drink. the de-
mon of rum. that's the cause OF it."
Well. II il amt rum. what is the
cause of it?"
=. Then knew that he intended 10 tell
me- his story.
He half-carried the tub" TO his lips.
but put it down again, and stared at
some flies. flirting with a pool Of the
stun in the center OF the table.
81 was making good wages, and
thought I'd get married One day.
three years later. | got caught in the
belt of my machine and this old arm
mine got twisted out O. joint" He
held up his palsied limb with move
ment typical of mendicants. Some o
them wanted me to sue the company;
but the super came round to see me,
and. when ! got well again. he gave
me a lob as night Waterman. There
was less money in that than working
81 the bench, but It was easy. and
had mostly all day to myself
! nodded comprehendingly.
We'll. everything was lovely till the
wife began to kick about having less
money TO keep the house than when
was at the machine. and the mrs.
thing I knew we had a boarder, fell
low that was working over at the shop
Us a funny game. this keeping board
era"
What do you mean
II don't know how smart you are,
he remarked, somewhat disdainfully
but guess you'll understand this al
right. One night / had a worse touch
Ci the rheumatic than ever before, and
the super. happening to be still in hi
Office. put a man in my place and le
me go home" The mask Of indiner
ence fell. and the Eend was disclosed
And they didn't expect me al home!'
He almost emptied his glass.
What did you
Il had the rheumatic. he didn't, anC
he got away before could choke hin
IKE a rat wanted 70 kill him ant
her. but she. too got away on me be
lore but, wait
The last drops of the beer we're fairll
sucked from the bottom of the tub.
Then everything went to the dogs
didn't care what happened and
Ever seen either Of them AGAIN.
mo, and her ! don't want 10 SCI
again-whats the use?" he spoke
erowlingly. And him-him?-l beef
following that hound all thes'
years. Wherever. heard he was,
went. tramped and begged from
town to town, and sometimes was 81
close TO him that only missed him b.
few hours. And now | been hang
ing round here, because ! know he
here. and. sooner or later, III NEE
him. and then-then-"