The Washington times., 1908-12-12
CHAPTER II.
FAIR EXCHANGE IS NO ROBBERY.
kIT OW the dickens an to get
IL back TO the hotel with no
money, and IN these con-

= L II
IL back to the hotel with no
money, and in these con-
founded shoes?''
This was what Jim Harrison asked
himself as he leaned against the lamp
post at the corner.
II was indeed a problem; for he diS
not even have anything about him 90
pawn.
With Chicagoan's canny appSc.len-
sion of hold-up mel in outlying Sss-
trtctS. he had left his watch, ring and
other ,ewelry behind him when he start
ed out ;or this, TO him, unknown region
Of Morntlgside Heights.
Besides, as he somewhat unproftabIv
reflected. even II the situation were
otherwise, where was he 10 find a
pawnshOp7 None was in sight, ana IN
his Ignorance Of the neighborhood he
knew he might easily tramps his legs
Off before striking one.
What remained then? His various
conjeetures finally narrowed the field
down TO tackle a passerby for the recui-
site tribute to the street car company.
or to take a cab to his hosteIry, trust
ing to the complaisance OF the clerk
at the desk for a settlement with the
driver.
The latter was the more aIluring
course OF the two: but upon considera-
ton several objections arose. In the
first place, cabs cruising for fares are
an infreqUent spectacle around 122d
street, and glancing down the shadowy
vista Of upper Broadway. his eye met
only looming college buildings, and dark,
p mi " o No. wTrfFI
a sign Of a restaurant or hotel where
a vehicle rank might reasonably be
expected.
A mile OF two along, perhaps, there
might be one: but a mile or two afoot
IN those pestilential shoes was com
parable only to a days journey over
red-hot plowshares.
Moreover, even granting the mate
realization of the cab, what g5laran-
tee OF payment had he at the other
end OF the line. He was en- absolute
stranger to the people at the hotel, ar
riving only at dinner time that even
ing, with but the scant luggage of a
single suit case, and he was by no
means certain they would assume re-
sponsibility in the premises.
In such a state o. doubt the hazard
of a night at the police station seemed
one not to be lightly courted.
No, he decided, CALLING though it
might be to his pride. he must adopt
the safer method Of casting himself
upon the mercy OF some good Samari-
tan
But good Samaritans, alack, proved
scarce among the occasional pedes-
trians bound that way.
The first he summoned enough cour-
age to brace stalked straight on with
out turning his head, as though he had
never even heard Jim's piteous plea
The second. a nesr-sighted Columbia
professor. fumbled a moment in his
pocket to end by producing a soup
ticket good at some place down on
Vesey street; the third. a resident OF
the neighborhood, could not be con-
vinced he was other than some lark
ing student and walked away chuck
ling, while the for. G., the majestic COP
upon that beat, evidently took the sup
plicant for a crook and ordered him to
beat It" II he didn't want to get run
IN.
Obediently Harrison hobbled away. but
when the cop had ceased TO watch him
and saumtered on he skulked into the
shadow OF the trees ct the corner of
Columbia's south field. slipped his feet
free from their narrowing encum-
brances. and with a sweet sense of re-
lief, gave fres rein 70 the Indignation
seething in his ba~0zp