The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1907-05-30

UnuefSIdnus
"Oh. yes" said the other man. But
l don't bank much on going back my
self. I'm about sick of this country. |
don't blame you for wanting to keep
out. But | say. that was funny
thing. your dropping out the way you
did. Everybody thinks you're dead or
loco and shut up somewhere. They
had no end of time looking for you
dragged the river.
Il was down In Mexico. How long
ago did you leave Calf Beg your
pardon! withdraw the question un-
less it happens to be-
"Oh. it doesn't matter l left eight
months ago. I'm only here for-for II
! few days-juSt passing through"
"Yes? Let's see; it's two, three
years since | came away. Do you
know what this reminds me of? Two
hurrying shapes. don't you know, in
No Mans Land met each other face to
face-very awkward sometimes-and
bade each other stand"
Sounds like footpads," suggested
the nervous man.
NO it's poetry. Well. they asked
each others name
Here the two men looked at one an
other. and the nervous man broke into
a giggle
Exactly. We won't do that" He
emptied his glass and set it down.
"They call this stuff California claret." "
he said. Look here, don't you want
some news"
"NewS" The quiet man blinked un-
certainly for moment and then said:
"Yes. l suppose so. What is it?"
"Well, | meant You know Sharp
less is mayor nOw We got him liz
last year. and it was the biggest fight
the town ever saw. Jim Luke got the
city attorneyship. He's in the new
city hall, with velvet carpets and hand
painted spittoons. Oh, the boys are all
right. And you wouldn't know the
place-brick blocks going up every
where and cable cars on Main street"
The quiet man began to eat his
sparrow and stringy salad. Il sup
pose So" he said.
"And, say Well Of course it's none
Of my business. | suppose you hear
from out there anyway"
Not word" said the quiet man.
"But so ahead If you've got anything
to tell"
"Well, it's only about-confound it,
your wife. Say, Dalton, why in thun-
der-it's none Of my business, but it's
pretty hard on her."
"She must think I'm dead. am
dead"
"Well, she doesn't She's still look
ing for you When they didn't find
you in the river, you know, she had
detectives. They combed San Fran
cisco for you"
The quiet man moved uneasily. DE
tectives cost money" he said.
They do. She's teaching now in the
public schools. The boys put that
through. She gets $95 a month, and
that about feeds the five young ones"
Il left her enough. | left her half
the money | had. If | could have
fixed 1t so, she could have got my life
Insurance.
"Well, why didn't you? There was
the river. Excuse me, old man, but is
this any better!"
"Oh, yes" said Dalton dreamily. 81
have quiet life-all day in the library
IL like. You've no idea what rack
ct five children can make in a small
house And then out there l never
could get the books l wanted-the Lat
inists of the fourth century, for in
stance. And then, you know, a woman
a woman who's fond Of you. 1t eX-
plains why the philosophers were
monks. But Pm getting pretty close
to BEDROCK" he added, frowning. Il
don't like to eat in these places. And
to see you here"
"Yes, know" said Holloway hastily,
"but I've got just enough to take me
where I'm going. | pulled out with
about 5000, though the boys wouldn't
believe you If you told 'em. l suppose
they think I'm living In cotton-Monte
Carlo orr
"Six hundred! Why, you used to
have your fist in deep. What's the
matter-lost your pull?'
"Nellie's got Tiny wife, you know
that is. all could pull out. Say, Dal-
ton, don't mind telling you'll don't
suppose you'd give me away, and il
you did 1.-The police
1.-THE law can't touch me-" said Dal-
ton.
HollOway's face flushed duly.
perhaps not, but | wouldn't change
places with you. My wife's living in
Europe-been there for a year. She's
living well too. She was always crazy
TO 60 She's got enough to make her
comfortable for some time, and I'm go"
ing-well never mind I'd do it over
again. tell you, Dalton, for woman
you're fond Of-but what's the use Of
talking to you? Might as well talk to
Latin grammar"
Dalton contemplated his cheese and
withered pears and thin coffee resign
edly.
"If didn't have to eat" he said, I'D
be all right. want few things, GOD
knows"
81" said Holloway under bis breath,
"want only One."-New York AdVsr'
tiser.