Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-02-03
BERTIE TASTES
 POVERTY
By JOHN WoRNE


 "Garret in Bloomsbury suggested Bertie
 Yes; just the two of us together with only shilling left
 If you're keen, don't mind trying it." said Bertie.
 Could we?" asked Eva, doubtingly.
 Certainly; I've no doubt it would do us good" -.
 'We might say we've gone out of town, put on old clothes and hide our selves away somewhere, in slum, fer q month or so" ......... ....
 Six months if you like. Think of nice slum." q suppose any slum would do." No good spelling the effect by being particular about the slum," Bertie agreed. Lets begin to-day" '
 So they arranged everything and put on their oldest clothes.
 Samson the butler glared as they passed out.
 When will you return, sir:" ''In about--shall we say six months?' Bertie turned to Eva. ''If you like" said she. .,...t
 "Six months" said Bertie, sternly
 The door shut behind them with an ominous bang. ... .. .- They stood deserted on the pavement. "Alone in London" Bertie mur- mured. Better take hansom," said Eva, timidly.
 There are public omnibuses." said Bertie. which are much cheaper
 Let us find one.' said Eva. 1 Bertie waved his hand at a passing vehicle which looked nice and public and cheap. Its driver drew up doub,- fully. -. | Not that" said Eva; that's Carter Patterson; I don't think they carry people,"
 Bertie devoted all his attention t3 looking as if he hadn't waved. The driver said offensive things and drove away.
 What are the police thinking of?' said Eva. that such language is pos s;ble. However, here is a real bus | They got in. Bertie paused on the s,ep. Guard" he said. drive to the near est slum where, there is likely to be 1 al attic to jet" "Wot oh!" said the conductor, "and at wot hour ham ter call fur ye; 1 ,ordship?"
 ! Never mind," said Bertie. as na took his seat; we can face the world i together"
 Hadn't you better speak more more as if you were one of them?' Eva suggested. under cover. of the roar and rattle of the bus @
 That's an idea" he replied. "I'll drop. an h or two next time. It will match the color of my tie better"
 The conductor came for the fares.
 "'Ow much?" said Bertie.
 "Where to-" said the conductor. "As far as yer'll tike us for a pen. n.y." said Bertie. , "Thst'll be penny each" said the conductor. : Bertie counted over some coppers ! cautiously.
 i Dyer want me ter stand ere all | dye?" said the conductor.
 If you want to-" said Bertie; "it's your bloomin' homnibus. hain't it?" : Come on," said the conductor "pay yer fare or get art" i If l ave hany more of your him pudence. I'll call policeman" Bertie retorted. finding the 'h's" rather a ! strain.
 "Ho. you'd call a policeman. you would!" said the conductor. You'd : call a policeman, '0o are you?" l Whats it to you 'oo hi ham," said Bertie.
 Ere. get art" said the conductor ringing the bell savagely. The bus : slowed down.
 { "You don't catch me staying" said Bertie. and pulled the bell again Consequently the bus went on.
 Please stop it. said Eva. repenting | of her poverty, and putting shilling quietly into the conductors hand. He rang again. Bertie got cut. Eva fol. ! lowed. and the conductor drove away i What do we do now" said Eva "rm dying for a cup of tea"
 Bertie counted his change the few shillings that were left to them in this ! world
 '. No. tea" he mosned. Heres a sIum. let's find home" But I'm simply dying for . cup oi tea"
 "Therem be worse things 10 die for before the six months are over. Come ' on,"
 1. They paused outside a small mixed shop which offered apartments. amons | other things. such as papers and to bzceo. { Bertie opened the door. jangiing q crscked bell They were met by a mixed smell .
 DO you think" began Eva. doab;. /. fully.
 ] T don't knOr.- said Ber5:e. fl may Ee more than ve can afford -Oh. [ hope sO.- said Eva ! \ fat lady appeared ikroaEh an ia. nsr door. she vas TO. nic.iy d-sssei: on the contrary.