The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1906-01-18
Brethren of the
Burning Thirst
BY OWEN KILDARE

its like. would call X a low urlnklnB
place" or common resort"
"NiclEs 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 clubable 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 forgotful-
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
j. Il 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 we're
such places and such stun 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
bumY" I asked. Stimulating interest.
That's all. 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
ib a five-cent besnery or at some base
nent door? And nothing to drink only
'tubs?"
well. II you feel that bad about ii,
why don't you quit being on the BUMP"
Yes. why don't /? Why don't you
or any Of u.s." he sneered. None OF
rs knows what IL 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 H."
We'll. If il Amt rum. what is the
cause Of it?"
Then knew that he intended to tell
me his story
He half-carried the club" 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 Id get married. One day.
three years later. got caught in the
belt of my machine and this old arm
O mine got twisted out o joint" He
held up his palsied limb with move
ment typical of mendicants. Some o
them wanted me 10 sue the company;
but the super came round to see me,
and. when / got well again, he gave
me a Job as night Waterman. There
was less money in that than working
al the bench. but il was easy, and
had mostly all day to myself.
] nodded comprehendingly.
well. 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 boarder, fell
low that was working over at the shop.
lis a funny game. this keeping board
ers."
What do You mean"
II don't know how smart you are, ="
he remarked, somewhat disdainfully,
but guess youll understand this all
right One night l had a worse touch
oi the rheumatic than ever before. and
the super. happening 70 be still in the
Office. put a man in my place and let
me go home" The mask Of indiffer-
ence fell. and the hend was disclosed
And they didn't expect me al home ]"
lie almost emptled his glass
What did you-?"
Il had the rheumatic. he didn't, and
ne got away before could choke him
like a rat wanted 10 kin 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.
I didn't care what happened, and"
Ever seen either of them again?'
mo and her | don't want 10 see
again-whats the use?" he spoke
growlingly And him-him ?-l been
following that hound all these
years. Wherever ! heard he was |
went. tramped and begged from
town TO town, and sometimes was so
close to him that only missed him by
A few hours. And now | been hang
ing round here, because 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 do
TO him."
...o..td 10 10 hf,, he