The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1908-05-19
Gentleman
Of Leisure.
By Constance Darcy Mackay.
Copyrighted, 1908. by the Associated
Literary Press.

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1t was said of him along the street on
| which he lived that Desmond Fitzger-
aid was as lazy as he was handsome
While his neighbors rose early and
went to work Desmond idled about in
the city parks, sitting on the benches
and reading papers that brisker occu-
pants had discarded. If this diversion
failed he would stroll down Broadway,
watching, with an eye keen for every
detail of humor, the life that went on
around him.. Occasionally he procured
job and then gave it up as soon as
he had acquired money enough to carry
him through the next three weeks.
And as his wants were small few dol
lars lasted a long time There was no
one dependent on him, and that was
the excuse he made to himself for be-
ing as shiftless young fellow as could
be found in summers day.
When the weather was warm he
would loiter along the streets that bor-
dered the water front, where the wind
swept in fresh and cool and full of a
tang of the sea. Here and there he
met acquaintances loading drays and
hauling crates. Perching In some con-
venient nook. Desmond would amuse
himself for hours with comments on
the season and the ACCESSIBILITY Of
Sinking labor whenever it was posi-
BILE. 1t was on one of these occasions
that he neared a dump where men CD
wagons and scows were actively dis
posing of the city's rubbish. There he
espied Thomas Marlborough shoveling
away for dear life and the lives of 9th
ers, for Thomas had a wife and six
children.
AS Thomas paused to wipe the sweat
from his brow Desmond strolled up.
How are you. Thomas, this fine
dayY' 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 only answer was a grunt.
He had no time for such aimless con-
versation as Desmond's. But the lat
ter. not whit disconnected. sat on
barrel near by and watched the work
ers and beyond them the warehouses
and wharfs and the forest Of masts
and smokestacks outlined against the
radiant blue of the sky. Ferryboats
passed in the distance. Tugs went
busily to and fro and rocked the grimy
coal barges with their swell. Present
ly hundred bells and whistles pro-
oIofpood fhof II mos MON ond TbonoaS
dropped his shovel with a great breath
and stretched himself.
why do you stop for such an in
significant thing as midday meal"
queried Desmond amusedly, and then
the words died on his lips at the sight
of the girl who was bringing Thomas
dinner pail She wore a pretty blue
calico gown which gave a 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
| made myself and a bottle of iced
tea that will do your heart good"
you're jewel. Kitty" said Thomas,
"a jewel worth having!'
So Desmond thought as he regarded
her
''Wll you not introduce me?' he
urged, plucking at Thomas sleeve.
kitty. my dear" said Thomas, '1et
me make you acquainted with Mr..
Desmond Fitzgerald. gentleman OF
leisure"
An adorable dimple showed in Kit
TVS cheek.
"Uncle Thomas must always have
his funp' she smiled Have you been
working here Iong?" nodding toward
the dump.
81 don't work here at ALL" answered
Desmond.
ION the river. maybe" she hazarded.
"or building housesY'
Nor This guessing game was max
ing Desmond most uncomfortable.
''Oh, then, you're on the street clean
ing forcer' she laughed triumphantly
Nonsense, Kittyr' 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 i'll maybe and not fit
to work?'' She turned to Desmond
solicitously
81 don't work at all except when I
have tor he blurted.
"Oh" said Kitty, and Thomas iced
tea was not half so cold as her voice
'T'd best be running home now" she
said to her uncle 1.-The children will
be looking for me- Good day, Mr.. Fitz-
gerald" she added, with half glance
over her shoulder at the miserable Des-
mond.
"She's a great one to hustle, is Kit
ty," observed her uncle. his proud eyes
watching her retreating form.
do they need extra men at this
job?" was Desmond's abrupt query.
''They do" replied Thomas. and Des-
mond went to work next day. 1t was
very hot, and his muscles ached, and
he began to think how refreshing it
would be to be sprawled on a park
bench drowsily reading a paper and
listening to the sparrows twittering
about the fountain Shoveling at the
dump was the hardest work that Des-
mond had done in the course of his
twenty-five years.
"Bad luck to me for tackling itw he
muttered. "And won't l get out Of it
in the mischief of a hurryr'
With noon came Kitty and Thomas
dinner pail
at is only for sight of you that I'm
here" announced Desmond.
"Did you kiss the blarney stone for
breakfastY' said Kitty. Her look Of
approval frightened Desmond some
what, but he was still in a disgruntlec
mood.
whats the use of a mans having
to work at alp he complained. That's
what don't seel OF course it's differ
ent il. you have fine. easy job. wish
| had one like Matthew CarroPs-no
work and plenty Of pay-or Jim John
sons, bossing lot of ditch diggers.
That's comfortable thing! Twas by
pull he got it, and | wish | had his
luck. Then" with a meaning glance at
Kitty-"then I'd have a wife and live
in fine style"
Kitty's cheeks famed and her eyes
flashed
1.-The man ! marry" she cried. will
fight his own way up. He'll have a
backbone, not a wishbone. Mr.. Des-
mond Fitzgerald
The phrase dwelt with Desmond the
rest of the day. He shoveled venge-
fully.
"a backbone instead Of wishbone,"
he kept repeating THE cheek Of the
girl to say a thing like that to mer'
His anger at Kitty became more and
more poignant and when Thomas