The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1909-01-07

sarily leads?
There are none of LIES phases with
which 1 have not come into contact,
and now, although all my brightness
and individuality are worn away, al
am so thin my circulation has
nearly stopped, am a veritable silver
mine of experience and information.
1t was realization Of this fact that
Induced me, in these, my last days.
to Gull from the past a few recollec-
tions and coin them into a little story,
hoping it might make me appreciated
beyond my mere intrinsic value.
suppose I am conceited to at
tempt this, because all know about
writing 1 learned from being strand
ed in the pocket of a literary man.
But his remarks regarding literature
were very forceful. / was a great
comfort to that man in moments Of
desperation. He knew as long as I
stayed with him stood between him
and starvation.
One day he sold a Joke for fifty
cents, and, with the base ingratitude
that mars some really noble natures,
he snapped me over a quick lunch
counter for two doughnuts and a cup
of coffee!
An old gentleman cot me next,
and, installing me for a cent, gave
me to a newsboy.
The boy was so astonished he bit
me to see If was real; not satisfied
with that test, he dashed me to the
sidewalk. I cried out professionally.
and when he heard the silvery ring
OF my voice he was satisfied. He
gripped me so tight 1 was all in a
perspiration by the time he got home.
Sucn miserable apology for the
name-home? He had to climb
flight after flight of rickety stairs
before he reached the one room that
to him meant home.
"Pauly," he cried, pushing open
the door, "are you awaken"
A small, white face was lifted from
heap of ragged bedding, and a pair
OF wide-opened eyes answered the
question with mute eloquence.
Look here" continued the boy,
breathlessly, "an old gent gave me a
true enough dime and I'm going to
49, JON AOAh VI lllOQElliuB WAY.
Oh" the long-drawn exclama-
ton was expressive of an intense
emotion, "let me see it,"
The boy laid me, all moist. on the
outstretched palm of his crippled
brother, who turned me over incredu-
lousy.
Don't you need it to buy some
thing to eat, Louis?" he asked, hest
tatingly.
Nav. I'm filled right up. A Teller
gave me a handful of peanuts, and
I'm going to get some buns for our
tea"
Louis dashed down stairs again.
and was soon lying in the till of a
jewelers. shop where he took me to
buy the wax.
lay there all night, wondering
why those hungry boys had parted
with me for an insensate lump of
wax. little thinking 1 would ever
know.
The next day was given to a beau
tiful young lady, dressed all in gray.
fell quite in love, and was glad when
she tucked me in her glove. / liked
smuggling close to her warm hand and
feeling her dependent on me; be-
cause l was all the money she had
left from her shopping.
Alas! AS she stepped into a troll
ley car fell out unnoticed. real
lied that 1 was lost; but, with my
mercurial nature, l ran like quick
silver to the feet OF young man, who
picked me up and started after the
beautiful gray lady. She had disap-
peared into the car; he followed
When the conductor came to collect
the fares she discovered IL was gone,
The young man leaned forward and
said politely: ALLOW me the pleas
ure of paying your fare" She
thanked him so sweetly, and asked
for his address that she might return
the money.
He gravely handed her his card
and paid her fare; but not with me
He put me, still warm from her hand
In his vest pocket. And there I stayed
until was furnished for the want Of
use, all done up in tissue paper and
labelled: "Her dime.
One night the cratic humping Of
his heart made me so restless that
popped right out of his pocket. AS
soon as touched the floor l saw the
reason that 1 had been able to do Il
was because he was STOPPING forward
to tie the beautiful gray lady's shoe
She saw me and read my label as she
picked me up.
Why, what does this mean?~ she
asked. as it yours?" His face go
awfully red and he pushed me bach
In his pocket
The next thing knew 1 felt some
thing pressed against the vest poke
where | was hidden, and | dist lnctl,
heard the beautiful gray lady say.
Lets keep that dear dime to buy tn,
the first bread we break in our owl
home"
And so after another period of en-
. forced idleness was ioyously ex