The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1906-08-24
Brethren of the
Burning Thirst
By OWEN KILDARE
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Copyright, 1905, by Joseph B. Bowles.)


Morgue" were our names for the
place-and we knew it pretty we'll.
We were there. not because we had
any clubable desires, hut because We
had to be there. There we're fires Within
us, and wherever the most for the
least was given, there we-and all the
brethren of the burning thirst-coull
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.
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
j. it wasn't for the things fellow
thinks about, tramping from one emf
of the town to the other"
knew he was about to tell me a
few chapters from his life, and, not
wishing to encourage him too much
for we all have troubles of our OWL
I made no reply.
"Only to think that less than two
years ago l didn't know there were
such places and such stuff as this" he
continued. And now I'm kicking be-
cause 1 can't get enough Of it. It's
ferce!"
Are you only two years on the
bum?" I asked, Stimulating interest.
''That's all, and don't you think it 5
long enough to be carrying the ban
ner, or sleeping in them ten-cent
hunks, and getting your chuck either
in five-cent beanery or at some base
ment door? And nothing to drink only
'tubs?'"
"Well, if you feel that bad about it,
why don't you quit being on the bum?"
Yes, why don't I? 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,"
We'll. if it amt rum, what is the
cause of it?"
Then l knew that he intended to toll
HE 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
stuff in the center of the table.
II 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
q mine got twisted out O. joint" He
held up his palsied limb with a move
ment typical of mendicants. Some O
them wanted me to sue the company;
but the super came round to see me,
and, when l got we'll again, he gave
me job as night Waterman. There
was less money in that than working
at the bench, but it was easy, and
had mostly all day to myself"
I nodded comprehendingly
well, everything was lovely till the
wife began to kick about having less
money to keep the house than when
I was at the machine, and the first
thing knew, we had boarder, a fell
low that was working over at the shop.
It's funny game, this keeping board
ers'
What do you mean?"
II don't know how smart you are"
he remarked, somewhat disdainfully,
''but guess you'll understand this all
right. One night had a worse touch
CT the rheumatic than ever before, and
the super, happening to be still in the
Office, put a man in my place and let
me 60 home" The mask of indiffer-
ence fell, and the flend was disclosed
and they didn't expect me at home!"
He almost emptied his glass.
What did you-?"
II had the rheumatic, he didn't, and
ue SOI away DclOIc COulu choke Qlu
like rat. wanted to kill him and
her, but she, too, got away on me be.
fore but, wait.'
The last drops Of the beer were fairly
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 I don't want to sec
again-what's the use?" he spoke
erowlingly. "And him-him?-1 been
following that hound all these
years. Wherever l heard he was,
went. I tramped and begged from
town to town, and sometimes was sc
close to him that only missed him by
d few hours. And now I been hang.
ing round here, because 1 know he's
here, and, sooner or later, I'll meet
him, and then-then-''
He paused so long that felt con.
strained to ask: what would you dc
to him."
What would + do to him?" hi
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