The Washington herald., 1908-01-26
CAPITAL CITY FABLES.
Wherein Two wanderers Cross the
Desert.

It wanted but an hour 10 daybreak.
Along the Delaware Caravan Route Two
Weary Wayfarers trudged. They We're
well-night spent and their Breathing
was short and their Heads hung low
upon their Breasts.
Hating suddenly one put down his
Heavy Suit Case. sat upon H. and remov-
ing his Hat and seeking his Handker-
chief, began TO mop his Dome of Thought
The Other halted likewise but having
only a Gladstone Bag wherein to carry
the Needfui Articles for q Long Trek,
lie had pcrforce TO remain upon his Feet.
But Notwithstanding that il was in the
Dead Of Winter. it was Hot in the
Desert. and ne also m0pDed his Dome.
"Hearken. Comrade," said lie who
sat upon the Suit Case. lifting his Face
YEARLY with one Hand and setting it az
such an Angle that be could behold the
Others Features How long Since did
We leave Washington
Il have lost the Count of Time in this
Dreary Waste" replied the Other. But
if my WEAKNESS be an Index 90 the Dis
tance We have covered. I should say
that the Promised Land would by now
rejoice our Glims.'
Verify" reioined He who had first
given Voice. IAN We come not soon to
shelter, I shall Perish Dost opine that
We shall be able to break our Fast when
we ArTive?'
THAT depends said the Other upon
the size Of your Appetite and the Reia-
tive Dimensions Of your Wallet
But they have F0od?'
Verify they have. an We ever reach
There
Slowly the dawn broke over the Sand
Piles and Lumber Heaps I'm the Middle
Distance. Cold Gray Mists hung low
upon tie Face Of the Desert, and be
meath them the wide eXpanse Of Waste
stretched away on all Sides. The Waste
was of all Sorts and reminded the Weary
Wayfarers of "a City Dump.
Come" quoth He, who sat upon the
Suit case. arising and taking up his
Burden. and they strobe Oh.
And when They had progressed another
Block. the Man with the suit Case fell
Prone upon his Face.
Go on. Comrade." he cried. Il am
Sore spent, and cannot essay Another
Step. Tell them when You reach the
Promised Land that I did my Best, and
that I Died in a Noble Cause
But the other would not Setting down
his Gladstone Bag. he took one Last
Long Look at it, as one would bid a
Friend of his Youth Farewell Then.
resolutely turning his Back upon II, he
gathered up the PROSTATE one. and fling
ing him across his Right shoulder, strug-
gled on.
1T shall Not be said of Ne" he de-
claimed. Throwing forth his Free Arm
with Dramatic Sweep. that I left my
Friend to Perish in the Desert. that I
might save my Other Shirt and my
Tooth Brush.
And as If it were the Reward Of Merit.
the Mists that overhung the Desert
lifted. And behold, there before Them
loomed the Promised land Its White
Marble Front was BatIed I'm the Light
Of the Morning sun. and Gray Beard
was sweeping out the Front Portico.
Staggering on. the Bearer Of his Com
rade laid his Burden down upon the
pavement without the Portal
Friend. if You be indeed Man. and
liz You and this Bcauteous Structure be
not merely the Illusions of the Mirage,
he exclaimed. tell Me-Is this Indeed
the Union Station
Verify, quoth the Gray Beard. sit
is Even So
"Then indeed do T Rejoice" said the
Wayfarer. But Stay; out upon yon
Desert have Left my Other Shirt and
my Tooth Brush. Can I Prevail upon
You. in Consideration of a Motto-less
Coin. to Attempt Rescue?'
Yea, verify quoth the Varlet. and
was Off In due Time he Returned hay-
ing Recovered tho Necessary Articles
and the Wanderers hied Themselves 20
the Refeciory ana Consumed an Hour
and a Half disposing of a Sandwich ana
a one Draw. while the MiHions of the
Trust made up the Train
Aforal.-Take a cab. even though you
Know that vou will be Robbed