The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-03-26
THE EVENING STORY
A Gentleman Of Leisure

"A Gentleman Of Leisure
10y Constance Darcy Mackay.)
II was said of him along the street
on which he lived that Desmond Fitz-
gerald was as lazy as he was hand
some While his neighbors rose early
ana went to work, Desmond idled
ABOUT In the city parks, sitting on the
penches and reading papers that
this occupants had discarded If
TINS diversion failed he would stroll
down Broadway watching, with an
eye keen for every detail OF huunor
the life that went on around him.
occasionally he procured a Job. and
lnen gave 1t up as soon as he had ac-
CURED money enough to carry him
through the next three weeks. And
as his wants were small, few dol
lars lasted long time. There was no
one dependent on him, and that was
the excuse he made to himself for be-
ing as shiftless a young fellow as
could be found in a summers day.
When the weather was warm he
would loiter along the streets that
pordered the water front, where the
WIND swept in fresh and cool and full
or tang Of the sea. Here and there
ne met acquaintances loading drays
and hauling crates, perching in some
convenient nook Desmond would
amuse himself for hours with COM
ments on the season and the advis-
ability of Sinking labor whenever 1t
these
occasions that he neared dump
where men on wagons and scows
were actively disposing of the city's
rubbish. There he espied Thomas
Macdonough shoveling away for dear
life and the lives of others, for Thorn
as had a wife and six children.
AS Thomas paused to wipe the
sweat from his brow Desmond stroll
ed up to him.
"How are you, Thomas, this fine
day?" he asked socially. "That must
be hot work you're doing! Who'd
think there was that much ashes and
old tin cans in New York;"
Thomas's only answer was a grunt.
He had no time for such aimless con-
versation as Desmond's. But the lat
ter, not a whit disconnected, sat on a
barrel near by and watched the work
ers. and beyond them the warehouses
and wharves and the forest of masts
and smokestacks outlined against the
radiant blue of the sky. Ferryboats
passed in the distance. Tugs wen,
busily to and fro, and rocked the
grimy coal barges with their swell.
Presently a hundred bells and whis-
ties proclaimed that it was noon. and
Thomas dropped his shovel with a
great breath and stretched himself.
why do you stop for such an in
significant thing as a midday meal?'
queried Desmond, amusedly, and then
of the girl who was bringing Thomas
dinner pail. She wore a pretty blue
calico gown which gave glimpse Of
her white throat. Her eyes were gray
and frank as a child's. Brown hair
curled softly around her forehead.
Here's your dinner, uncle" she
said 81 brought you some sandwiches
| that I made myself and bottle of
iced tea that will do your heart
good"
you're jewel. Kitty said
Thomas. ga jewel worth having!'
| So Desmond thought as he regard
ed her.
ed he, plucking at Thomas sleeve.
KITTY. my DEAR said Thomas.
Mr.. Desmond Fitzgerald, gentleman
of leisure"
An adorable dimple showed in Kit
tvs cheek.
"uncle Thomas must always have
his fun" she smiled. Have you
been working here long?' nodding
toward the dump.
| "I don't work here at ALL" answer
ed Desmond.
ION the river, maybe" she hazard
ed, cor building houses?"
moi" This guessing game was
able.
ooh, then you're on the street
cleaning force" she laughed, triumph
antly.
| Nonsense, Kitty her uncle inter-
posed whats the good of all these
| questions? He's what / told you he
was-a gentleman of leisure"
| Kitty's face grew grave.
| you've been ill, maybe, and not fit
to work?' She turned to Desmond
solicitously.
II don't work at all except when
/ u L. h 11vf a.
| "Oh!'' said Kitty, and Thomas iced
tea was not half SO cold as her voice
| 'I'd best be running home now"
she said to her uncle. The children
will be looking for me. Good-day, Mr..
Fitzgerald," she added. with a half
| glance over her shoulder at the mis-
cradle Desmond.
| "She's a great one to hustle, is Kit
| ty" observed her uncle, his proud
eyes watching her retreating FORM
.sDo they need extra men at this
lob ?" was Desmond's abrupt query.
seThey do replied Thomas, and
Desmond went to work next day. 1t
was very hot and his muscles ached,
and he began to think how refreshing
| 1t would be to be sprawled on PARK
bench. drowsily reading a paper and
| listening to the sparrows twlttering
| dump was the hardest work that Des-
mond had done in the course of his
| twenty five years
pad luck to me for taking ft!' he
muttered, land won't get out or 1t In
the mischief OF hurry!
With noon came Kitty and Thomas
dinner pail.
ut is only for a sight of you that I'm
here" announced Desmond.
did you kiss the Barney stone LOT
breakfast?' said Kitty. Her look OF ap-
proyaI frightened Desmond somewhat
but he was still in disgruntled mood.
whats the use of a mans having to
work at ALL" he complained. THAT'S
what I don't see! OF course, it's diner
ent If you have a fine. easy JOB. l WISH
hod one like Matthew CarroPs-no
work and plenty of pay. Or Jim John
son's-bossing a lot of ditch diggers.