The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1909-08-05


A couple Of tramps were crouching
low beside the fence inst ahead Of US
watch 'emT my companion whis-
pered.
Suddenly they burrowed down into
the sand and disappeared. We could
hear their steps on the other side Of
the fence. then grun voice. In q few
moments back they came. burrowing
up from under the fence
That's what you get" Ed grunted.
Well, in the end We had to make
the best Of 1t, and we camped right
there, hugging the fence for protec-
ton against the east wind. We bur-
rowed into the loose sand. piling it up
on the open side until we were well
covered. Now and then q train rush.
ing past shook Us awake with its
heavy tread Toward morning there
were fewer trains, and. though II be-
gan to mist pretty hard and the wa
ter trickled into our hole. l managed
to get some sleep.
At daylight we got up and shook our
selves and then wandered miserably
into the silent streets of the down
town district. Between Us we had Is
cents. and with that we got some cot
fee and a piece Of bread at a little
shanty stuck on the side of the river
A fat man with a greasy, pockmarked
face served US. and I can see him
now as he looked US over and winked
to the policeman who was loafing In
the joint.
After our coffee we began the hunt
for an odd job. and Ed talked OF his
hopes Of finding that aunt-Mrs. Pier
son. We kept together because we
were so lonesome. l suppose. and Ed
was good company-jolly and happy
hearted. That night we slept on the
back porch Of an empty house way
south. where the streets were broad.
and there were little strips Of green
all about the houses. The owners OF
the large house we picked out must
have been away for the summer. To
ward morning we heard some one stir
ring around inside, opening and shut
ting doors, and we made up our minds
there were thieves ut work in the
house.
Ed stayed to watch, while l ran out
to the avenue to get some help. 1t
was a long time before I could find
policeman. and when we got back to
the house there was Hostetter sitting
on the curbstone hugging his belly.
One Of the thieves had come out Of
the house the back way and when Ed
tried to hold him had given him such
Q kick that Ed was glad to let him so.
The officer had brought evidently
thought we were playing some game
on him or weren't quite straight our
selves, and he tried to take US to the
station. We gave him a lively chase
for a couple Of blocks. The last we
saw Of him he was shaking his fist at
US and cussing loud enough to wake
the dead.
That day was much like the one be-
fore, only worse. The weather was
mean and drizzly. I earned a quarter
Juggling a valise across the city. and
we ate that up at breakfast. At noon
we turned into one Of the dashy sa-
looms on State street We hoped to be
overlooked in the crowd before the bar
while we helped ourselves to the crack
ers and salt fish. We were making out
pretty well when a man who was
standing near the bar and drinking
nothing spied Us and came over to the
lunch table.
'Wet day." he observed socially.
That's about it." l replied cautious
ly, looking the man over.
He wore a long black coat, Q dirty
light colored waistcoat and a silk hat,
underneath which little brown curls
sprouted out. He fed himself deli
cately out Of the common bowl, rs II
the free lunch didn't tempt his appe-
tite.
Seeing the town" he asked next,
looking pointedly at Eds dirty shoes.
"Some part Of It, I reckon" Ed
laughed.
Looking for job?"
"You bet we're looking!' Ed growled
back. know where we can ind it?'
Before long we were on easy terms
with the stranger. He insisted on
paying for beer all around. and on the
strength Of that Ed and l made anoth-
er raid on a platter of beans. Dinner
that night didn't look very promising.
ut seems to me I know Of the very
thing for you young fellers," our friend
finally remarked, and we picked up our
ears.
He said he had q friend in one Of
the large stores on State street who
had found hne places for some young
men he had recommended. They wers
making big money now. Eds eyes be-
gan to glisten. But suddenly anotheg
idea struck our good friend. He low.
cred his voice and drew m 10 one side.
Would one Of us like q fat job where
there wasn't much work except special
times-a gay kind Of place. whore we
could see something Of life? Ed was
pretty eager. but | rather suspected
what he was after.
Il guess the other place q more what
we want" I said
"Ain't up to snu6 just yet?' he gig
! gled. wait q week or two. and you
will be rs quick rs the next one"
As we made no reply and I was msv-
Ing toward the door. he remarked:
Sure. it's stopped raining! Let's b
moving up the street and see what my
friend can do for you"
So we started up State street with
the man in the silk hat. At the door Of
big dry goods store, where We had