Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-08-04

fine clothes James caught one of the
chances and laughed good naturally.
These quick-lunch wagons are a mighty
good idea" said he.
coffee
Where do you work. asked James.
None OF your d. business" retorted
the other man Unexpectedly. where DO you
work yourself?"
James stared at him, then he burst into
roar For second the mans surly mouth
did not bulge, then the corners twitcheo
little.
What In thunder are you mad about7
inquired James. ~ am going to work for
DR. Gordon in Alton and don't care D.
where you work james spoke with 'he
most perfect. good nature still Laughing.
Then the mans face relaxed into broad
grin. Didn't know but you were putin
on lugs" said he. II am about tired Of all
those d benefactors comm along and
arsldn' of a man whot's none of their bust
ness, when q man knows all the time they
don't care nothin' about 1t, and then max
in man take somethin he don't want, SO
as to get their names In the papers" The
man shifted q sniff of fury, then his hand
some blue eyes smiled pleasantly, even
with .mtschievous confidence into James :,
and he swallowed more coffee.
II am no benefactor, you can bet your
life on that" said James i don't mean to
give you anything you want or don't want
'"Didnt know but you was one OF that
kind" returned the man.
"Why?"
The man eyed James clothes express
sively.
"oh, you mean my clothes" said James
We'll, this suit and overcoat are pretty
fair, but If ] were a benefactor l should be
wearing seedy clothes and have my wallet
stuffed with bills for other folks. T"
You bet you wouldn't" said the other
man THAT amt the way benefactors go to
work What be you goin' TO do at Doc
Gordon 81"
Drive" replied James laconically.
Guess you can't take care OF bosses In
no sech toys them.
I've got some others. I'm going to learn
to doctor a little too. if l can.
The man surveyed him t then he he burst wfsn into
git the measles III call you in
"All right" said James, II won't charge
you a red cent. I'll doctor you and all
your children and your wife for nothing
Guess you won't need to charge nothin'
for the wife and kids seem as l amt got
none'' said the man. Ketch me saddled'
up with a woman an kids, II know wnat
I'm about. Them's for the benefactors
live In little shanty l rugged up myself
out of two packin' boxes. I've got EN- on
a mans medder here. He let me SQUAT for
nothin'. git my meals here. an l WORK
on the railroad. an I've got soft snap,
with nobody to butt in. Here, Name. give
us another cup of coffee Names the girl
1 want, If 1 could hev one. Amt you
Manner
The girl. who was a blonde, with an ex-
aggerated pompadour fastened with aggres-
sive celluloid pins, smiled pertly. Reckon
1 h'ain't no more use for men than you
hey for women" said she, as she poured the
coffee All that could be seen OF her pc
hind the counter was her head, and ner
waist clad in a red blouse, pinned so hgn
to her skirt in the rear that 1t almost
touched her shoulder blades. The blouse
was finished at the neck with a nice Httie
turnover collar fastened with brooch set
with imitation diamonds and sapphires
Now. Name you know" said the man
with assumed pathos that II is only De-
cause I'm q poor devil that don't go ker-
fop the minute set eyes on you But You
wouldn't like to live in boxes, would your
Would YOU now?
mot till my time comes, and not In boxes
then. less I'm in a railroad accident, re-
piled the girl, with CHASTITY POPULARITY.
She's got another Teller, or you might git
her If you've got a stiddy job" the man
said winking at James with familiarity.
Just my luck" said James. He looked at
the GIRL and thought her pretty and pa
thetic, with a vulgar, almost tragic, pretti-
ness and pathos. She was anaemic and
painfully thin. Her blouse was pulled out
over her fiat chest. She looked worn out
with the miserable little tediums of life.
with constant stepping over ant-hills of stu
pidity and petty hopelessness. Her work
was not. comparatively speaking. arduous,
but the serving of hot coffee and frank
furters to workingmen was not progressive,