The Kennewick courier. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1905-1914, 1908-04-24
AGentleman
Of Leisure.
BY Constance Darcy Mackay.
copyrighted, 1908. by the Associated
Literary Press.

AS>cccc>scSsS>S>SsSSS
1t was said of him along the street OF
Which he lived that Desmond FitZger-
aid was as lazy us he was handsome.
while his neighbors rose early and
went to work Desmond idled about IN
the city parks. sitting ON the benches
ana reading papers that brisker occu-
pants had discarded. If this diversion
tailed 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
a 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 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 a..
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
tang of the sea. Here and there he
met acquaintance 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. It was on one Of these occasions
that he neared a dump where men on
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 wife and six
children.
AS Thomas paused to wipe the sweat
from his brow Desmond strolled up.
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 cana 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 a 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-
claimed 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 midday meal2"
queried Desmond amusedly. and then
the words died on his lips at the sight
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.
II 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.
Twill you not Introduce mel" he
urged, plucking at Thomas sleeve.
kitty. my DEAR" said Thomas. 'let
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 fun" she smiled. Have you been
working here long?" nodding toward
the dump.
Il don't work here at ALL" answered
Desmond.
ION the river. maybe" she hazarded.
'or building houses?"
mo" This guessing game was max
ing Desmond most uncomfortable
''Oh. then. you're on the street clean
ing force" she laughed triumphantly.
Nonsense. Kitty" her uncle inter
posed. whats the good of all these
questions? He's what l told you he
was-a gentleman of leisure"
! Kitty's face grew grave.
you've been ill maybe and not 1T
to work?" She turned to Desmond
solicitously.
II don't work at all except when
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. THE children will
be looking for me. Good day. Mr. Fitz.
gerald" she added, with a half glance
over her shoulder at the miserable Des
mOnd.
"She's q 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 Il
would be to be sprawled on a parl
bench drowsily reading a paper an6
listening to the sparrows twitterint
about the fountain. Shoveling at thu
dump was the hardest work that Des
mond hal done in the course OF hi