Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1907-08-01

trived to slip all the sovereigns but 9ne
into the tobacco pouch
He did this with HIS hand In the
pocket itself. and more than once there
was a pleasant clink rs the coins fell
into their novel receptacle.
A man sitting near caught the sound
and looked up suspciously. Phiiip,
whose sensos were very much on the
alert today, realized that his action
was somewhat careless. Without even
glancing at his neighbor. he took ont
his remaining couple Of shlllings ana
the three pennies, and affected TO count
them with q certain degree OF astonlsh-
ment, as II some were missing. The
rusc was satisfactory. The man gave
him no further heed and soon quilted
the restaurant
Philip rendered the odd sovereign IN
payment CT his bill. The girl cashier
seemed to be surprised that such a
ragged youth should own SO large
sum
"An silver, please" said Philip. when
she began to count his change.
He would take no more risks If he
man in London would have failed to
arrest him Mt that moment We're his
store of gold revealed by any char,-.
Yet Philip was rich honestly. and there
were meu driving away from the lily
Mt that hour whose banking &C Jnts
were plethoric with stolen money. For
their carriages the policemen would
CT hn En- In n n
could the guardians of the peace be
held blamevorthy, such Is the impor-
lance of mere appearances.
The boy, during his short and terribly
! sharp tussle With London life, had al
ready graspe1 this essential fact, and,
| with great skill and method. he set
about the task Of altering his own
! shabby exterior.
In side street leading out Of Gray's
Inn road he found a secondhand
clothes shop. Here he purchased n
worn, but decent, blue serge suit for
s shillings sixpence, n pair of boots for
s shillings, a cap for niDepence, wool
en- shirt for shilllngs and linen col
lar for threepencc.
He hagglcd sufficiently over the bar
gnin to suit the noeds of a scanty
purse.
"I've cut EN- dahn low enough" said
the shopkenper mourufully. Things
isn't wot they was in the ole clio line,
let me tell yer. Not but what you do
want new rlg-aht."
yes" said Philip. I've got u job
and can't keep it unless look decent"
For the life Of him he could not bur
lesque the cockney accent, and al
though he used the simplest phraseolo-
gy the man glanced at him sharply.
Philip ratified all his silver and cop
pers on TO the counter. He counted out
16 shillings sixpence.
Not much left, is thcre?" be said.
well. look ere" said the man.
"Gimme fifteen bob. You're a sharp
lad. You'll myke yer wy all right
Mex time you want some buds come to
ME an I'll treat you fair"
Thank you very much" said Philip
considerably surprised by this generous
act II certainly will not forget you"
You can change in my little back
room if you like. That lot you've got
on amt worth tykin' ONE
81 am obliged for your kindness, but
I must be off now. 1t Is late, and I
have q long way to go"
where to? HollowayT
"No; cityward"
The clothes and boots were made up
in a parcel by this time. Philip hur-
ried away, glad to escape further ques-
tonlng.
Philip sprang into bus for the Bank
At the Royal Exchange lie would catch
a green bus for the Mile End road
1t was almost dark when he reached
the Eank. Thus far the omnihuses go
ing east We're not crowded. Now the
situation had changed
The human eddy In that throbbing
center of life was sending of its swirl,
to all points of the compass. and the
easthound vehicles were boarded by
an eager crowd almost before the pas
sengers arriving at the terminus coult
descend.
A poor woman greatly hampered by
a baby was struggling with others tc
obtain a seat in the Mile Eud road bus
Philip. coming late on the scene. saw
her swept ruthlessly aside by mum
Der of men and boys. The conductor
ierked the bellrope several times
There was no more room.
The woman, white faced and disap
pointed looked around with a woebe
gone expression. Philip, who woulC
have gladly paid for II cab TO take he
to her destination, dared no nothing o.
. the sort But he said
keep close to me, | will get you /
seat in the next bus"
"Oh. 1 wish you would" she said
with wan smile, II AN so tired.
have walked here from Shepherd
Bush"
That's long way 10 carry baby.
What could | do? People won
take care of children without payment
, | heard | could get work in laundr.
there. so went to look after II
There's nothing TO be had down GU
way, is there
Things turn up suddenly" sat
Philip,
: Not for the poor, my lad. ! fea
, YOU know that without my telling yOu
But you are young and will soon be
man
, Her wistful tone went TO his heart.
= Didn't you succeed at the laundry 2
, he inquired.