Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-02-01
Brethren of the Burning Thirst
By OWEN KILDARE
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 tcopyright, 1905, by Joseph 5. Bowes.)

 it's like, would call it Tow drinking place" or common resort" :. "Nick's Dead House" and "The Morgue" were 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 acquaintances. 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 cus- tomary among the sodden. we sat to- gether to travel jointly into forgetful- ness
 Receiving our tubs" from tha greasy bartender, we chose table near the door.
 We drank our first "tup" 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.
 T don't mind carrying the banner and walking the streets for night, i. it wasn't for the things fellow thinks about, tramping from one eni of the town to the other" \ I 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-- I 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 I cant get enough of it. lta fierce!'
 Are you only two years on ths bum?' 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 ill a fve-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 |? Why don't you or any of us?" he sneered. None of us knows what it is, but once We gel Gown this far, something goes out O you. and you're stuck for good. And 'then they holler: It's drink, the de- mon of rum.' that's the cause of it."
 Well. if it ain't rum, what is the cause of it?" Then knew that he intended to tell me his story.
 He half-carried the tub" to his lips. but put it down again, and stared at some flies. flirting with pool of the stuff in the center of the table. c "I was making good wages, and thought I'd get married. Ore day. three years later, l got caught in the belt of my machines and this old arm o 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 1 got we'll again, he gave me a job as night watchman. There was less money in that than working at the bench. but it was easy. and had mostly all day to myself" nodded comprehendingly. Well, everything was lovely till tho wife began to kick about having less money to keep the house than when I was at the machine, and the frs. thing I knew. we had a boarder, fel- low that was working over at the shop. Its a funny game, this keeping board CTS"
 What do you mean?"
 'I don't know how smart you are,' ne remarked, somewhat disdainfully, but I guess you'll understand this all right. One night 1 had worse touch oi the rheumatiz than ever before, and ,he super. happening to be still in ths office. put a man in my place and le' me go home" The mask of indiffer- encs fell. and the flend was disclosed. And they didn't expect me at home!"
 He almost emptied his glass.
 What did you-?"
 "I had the rheumatic. he didn't, and he got away before I could choke him like a rat. wanted 10 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?'
 No. and her I don't want to see .gain-what's the use?" he spoke. erowlingly. And him-him?-I been following that hound all these yesrs. Wherever I heard he was, | vent. tramped ard begged from town to town. and sometimes vas ss close to him that only missed him by 4,few hours. And now been hang ,ug round here. because I~know he's here. and. sooner or later. I'll meet him. and then-jhen-"
 He paused SO long that felt eon- strained to ask: What would you td to him2"
 What Eould | do to him7" h. FowIed. What would I do jo him! Iool al me, I'm dirty S1f filthy . tun and a tramp. ard that snsakias