The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1906-02-09

OF all the rest.
A frowsy headed woman answered
my knock.
you have rooms to letTv l asked.
ooh, yes, monsieur" she answered
with an expansive grin. "Step zis
way"
We mounted a dirty stair, and she
threw open door with a flourish
meant to be impressive.
'Zese are re rooms, monsieur; zey
are YER fine"
looked around them with simu-
lated interest, smothering my disgust
as well as could.
"How long have they been vacantY'
l asked.
"Since only two days, monsieur. AS
you see, zey are YER fine rooms"
That settled it. If they had been va
cant only two days. had no further
interest in them, and with some excuse
ilisttie Iay way out, giau 10 escape
from that fetid atmosphere of garlic
and onions. So went from house to
house. stumbling over dirty chAldren,
climbing grimy stairs, catching glimpses
Of crowded sweatshops, peering into
all sorts of holes called rooms by cour-
tesy, inhaling hundred stenches in as
many minutes, gaining an insight that
slckened me into the squalid life of the
quarter Sometimes l began to hope
that at last was on the right track,
but further inquiry would prove my
mistake. So the morning passed, and
the afternoon. / had covered two
blocks to no purpose. and | turned
eastward to Broadway and took car
downtown to the Office. My assistants
had reported again-they had met with
no better success than l. Mr. Graham
noticed my detected appearance and
spoke word of comfort.
Il think you're on the right track,
Lester" he gaid. but sou can't hope
to do much by yourself-it's too big
job. Wouldn't it be better to employ
half a dozen private detectives and put
them under your supervisiong You
could save yourself this nerve trying
work and at the same time get over tie
ground much more rapidly Besides,
experienced men may be able to sug-
gest something that you've overlooked"
/ had thought of that had won
dcred If were making the best pos
sible use Of my opportunities--and the
suggestion tempted me. But some
thing rose within me--pride ambition,
stubbornness, what you willard /
shook my head, determined to hang on.
Besides, had still before me that bat
tie Of wits with Martigny, and | was
resolved to make the most of it.
LET me keep on by myself day or
two longer, sir" said. Il believe I'll
succeed vet. If don't there win still !
be time to call In outside help. fancy |
I've made a beginning, and want to
see what comes of it,"
He shook me kindly by the hand
Il like your grit" he said APPROX
ingIy, and I've every confidence in
you. 1t wasn't lack of confidence that |
prompted the suggestion. Only don't |
overdo the thing and break down as
Royce has. He's better, by the way, |
but the doctor says that he must taxed
a AOuS FdCaAtJu-4 ufOIUuSu Icct.
I'm glad he's better. III be care
full" / assented, and lDft the Office.
While / waited for car I bought
a copy Of the last edition OF my paper,
from force Of habit more than any
thing, then, settling myself In a seat
still from forcesof habit turned to
the financial column and locked 1t over.
There was nothing Of special interest
there and turned back to the general
news gIAncing carslsssly frem item
to item. Suddenly one caught my eye
which brought nae up with a shock.
The item read:
Shortly AFTER 10 O'Clock this morning q
man ran up the steps Of tho Cortiandt
street statien Of the glxfh avenue ele-
waited In the effort to catch an uptown
train Just pulling cat and Arepped over on
The platform with heart d5ssese. An am
bulance wRs called frsu the Hudson
Street hospitd and the mar taken there.
At neen was said - wez2d receiver.
Hai wa still toe weak " -. but among
stilef tniess care Of the Cafe scurdetn. +;
u West Esuseen strsct, wne tound IN his ,
pockefbssk- An inuniuy EAeee developed
he xAat that his nakna. n Ytesrs Bsthune.
hat hs h Fecentiy from Frames and has
10 psaattves In this country.
In moment IVES suk ef the ear |
and running westward 10 fhe elevated.
felt that hel& n my land The ad-
Treas needed. IL