Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-11-20

else violent, as punishment for i'm pertinence to defenseless foreigner. But my mind was almost instantly re- lieyed, for the two men walked of to- gether quite amicably and stood talk ing at distance, A. moment later one of my boxes went by, looking very fat and friendly, on the shoulders of porter who ap- parently had no head. I rushed out ard seized it--not the head, but the II K; so there was something encour- S Ing, but had two pieces of luggage ti wait for still.
 dost of the other "B's" were more il tunate about getting their things; nj vertheless they seemed far from q sy in their minds, and, though they x otested almost tearfully that they'd n}thing whatever to declare, stern per si ns in uniform stirred up their boxes as used to do with the nursery pud- ding when all the plums had sunk to the bottom.
 I was very tired and very hot, hotter than I'd supposed people could be, ex- cept in a Turkish bath, and I was be- ginning to be hungry, too, for I'd lunch ed principally off the statue of Liber- ty and skyscrapers, which were more filling than lasting as a meal.
 l famed myself with my handker- chief as well as could and felt sure I was slowly getting appendicitis, be- cause whenever Americans feel uncom, fortable in any way it seems almost certain to turn eventually into that, probably on account of the climate. Would my other boxes never come? I thought. Most of the ''B's" were going home. They had homes, lucky people, and if they liked they could presently have tea.
 World without tea. ...
 An me!
 When I was small and my nurse talked on Sundays about heaven and hell, making the one sound incredibly dull, the other incredibly painful, I used to think that I'd rather go to neither, but just be stuffed, like moth er's Blenhefm, Beau Brummel, whose soul fancied had leave to stop in his body so long as moth and rust did not corrupt. He seemed rather out of things, though, poor dear, standing for ever in the same position in a glass case. with one paw up begging for something which nobody gave, while the years dragged on, and I'd begun to feel as if were falling into his state when was reused from stupid dream by the man of the steerage sud denly looming over me.
 T beg your pardon" said he, taking of his hat and speaking in a nice American voice, as nice for a man as Sally Woodburn's is for a woman. @Please don't suppose mean to bs nde or intrusive, but wanted to ten fou that think you won't be annoyed ,gain, and-just one thing more. May 1 thank you for your goodness on ship board? It frightened what would otherwise have heen grim expert snce"
 Blind Mrs. Ess Kay to pronounce his man not gentleman just because Iome strange circumstances had forced aim to travel in the steerage! I did wish that, without his knowing it, I could have slipped into his pocket my s80.
 ''Oh, did nothing" answered. Tt was the other people who did every .hing-the little that was done. It's I who have to thank you for taking hat person away. He and the other Eho came just before were so rude."
 They didn't mean to be rude," he said. "They wanted you to tell them something which they could put into their papers, and they live by doing that kind of thing. I did the best .ould with them, but I wish I could have saved you from being annoyed n the beginning. I hesitated at first .or fear you might misunderstood and think me as bad as they were, but I wish hadn't now"
 "Aftar what I saw you do at sea I couldn't possibly have misunderstood" !" said.
 Thank you for saying that" he re- turned, though for what I did then don't deserve any praise. It was lone on the impulse, and I'm used to salt water. As child lived close .o it for a time in California and swim ming came almost as natural as walk Ing. But I'm not here to talk about myself. It was only to tell you how grateful I was and am and shall con- linue to be for your kindness on the ship. I couldn't go without speaking ,f this, and there's something now I'd ike to ask. You won't be ofendedT
 If it's something you want to tell me. know 1t isn't the sort of thing which could offend" I said, but I aidnt say 1t as calmly as 1t looks when written. I stammered little and got the words tangled up, and felt my face growing hotter than ever
 q thank you again. It's only this. If, while you're over on this side the water, there's ever any way in which mana man who'd be as respectful as your footman. and loyal as your friend-could possibly serve you, wish you would let me be that man. know 1t seems now as if such thing couldn't happen, but nothing's quite impossible in this queer world, and and anyhow I shall always be ready You could trust me-
 T know thatr' couldn't resist