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


once, The saloon keeper stood In with all the
big politics men In the district; and when You
had once found out what II 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 that
1t was so hard on the few that had really done
their best There was poor old ponas JokupaS,
for instance-he had already given Ave dollars,
and did not every one know that Jokubas Sze1.
villas had just mortgaged his delicatessen store
for two hundred dollars to meet several months
overdue rent? And then there was withered old
poni Aniee-who was widow, and had three
children, and the rheumatism besides, and dii
washing for the tradespeople on Halsted street at
prices 1t 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-
ttion 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. charlottesville valued them diffel.
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 a 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
that some one did not try to steal another As
the frustrating OF this one attempt involved q
score OF false alarms, It will be understood what
a 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 thing to try the patience
of saint. Finally there came Jurgis, urged BIZ
some one, and the story was ret0ld him. Jurgts
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 It 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 Ezbieta"
Then his look turned toward Ona, who stood
close to his side, and he the wide look Of ter
ror In her eyes, Little one" he said In q 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 Difficult.
ties-'T will work harder!" He had said that In
Llthuania when one official had taken his pass
port from him. and another had arrested him for
being without 1t, 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 II
third time, and Ona drew deep breath It was 30
wonderful to have q husband, Just like grown
woman-and husband who could solve all PROB
lens and who was 80 big and strong is
The last sob OF little Sebastijonas has been
stifed, and the orchestra has once more been re.
minded of It's duty The ceremony begins again
but there are few now left to dance with, and 30
very soon the collection IL over and promiscuous
dances once more begin. 1t Ia now after mid.
night however, and things are not as they were
before. The dancers are dull and heayy--most
OF them have been drinking hard, and have long
ago passed the stage Of exhilaraton. They dance
IN monotonous measure, round after round hour
after hour, with eyes fixed upon vacancy. as ~
they were only half conscious, in consts,''
growing stupor. The men grasp the wong. =,
tightly, but there will be half an hour.tOC6I
when neither will see the others
couples DO not care to dance and,E e. Cgir
the COrnerg where thew rif usNo NJ ~ II