The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1909-10-03

A4ANhHb f8OHA
streets he hands his pastpboard to the
north wind footmau of the mansion
of All Outdoors SO that the inhabit-
ants thereof max make ready
Soaps mind became cognizant of
the fact that the time had come for
him t, resolve himself into singular
committee OF ways and means to pro-
vide against the coming rigor And
therefore he moved uneasiy on his
bench.
The INTERNATIONAL ambitions of Soapy
were not ~ the highest. In them there
were no considerations of Aediterra-
mean cruises. of soporific southern
skies or drifting in tbe yesuvian bay.
Nrep months on the island was what
4 saui ernved Three months Of as
snred beard and bed and congenial
company. safe from Boreas and blue
coats. seemed 10 Soapy The essence of
things desirable.
For years he hnspitable Blackwell's
had been his winter quarters. Just as
his more fortunate fellow New York
prg had bought their tickets to Palm
Beach and the Riviera each winter. so
Soapy had made his humber arrange
ments for his annual hegira TO the is
land. And now the time was come
On the previous night three Sabbath
newspapers. distributed beneath his
coat. about his ankles and over bis
lap. had failed 10 repuIse the cold as
be slept on his bench near the squirting
fountain in the ancient square. SO
the island doomed big and timely in
Soapy's mind He scorned the provi-
sions made in the name of charity for
the city's dependents. Sin Soapy's opin-
ion the law was more benign than
philanthropy There was an endless
round of institutions. municipal and
cleenlusynary. on which he might set
ont and receive lodging and food ac-
cordant with the simple life. But 10
one of Soapy's proud spirit the glfts
OF charity are incunbered. II not ID
coin YOU must puy In humiliation OF
spirit for every benefit received at the
hands of philanthropy. As Caesar nad
his Brutus, every he'd of charity must
have its toll of bath. every loaf OF
bread It's compensation of private
and personal inauistlon. wherefore
Il better TO he a guest OF the law,
which. though conducted by rules, does
nor NEEDLE unduly with gentleman
private affairs.
Soapv. having decided to go to the
island. at once set about accomplish
inp his desire There were many easy
ways of doing this. The pIeasantest
was to dine luxnriously at some ex-
nensiye restaurant and then. after de-
clsring insolvency. be handed over
Quietly and without nproar TO police
man. An accommodating magistrate
would do the rest.
Soapv left his bench and strolled OUT
Of the square and across the level sea
of asphalt where Broadway and fllIh
avenue dow together. Up broadway
he -fnrned and halted at gltttefing
cafe where are gathered together night-
IL tho choicest products of the grape
the silk worm and the protop'asm
Soanv had confidence in himself from
tha lowest linton of bis vest upward
10 vas shared. and his cont was az
cent. and his neat hlnck, ready tiea
fnur.ia-hana had heen presented 70
hin, bv a aay missionary al Ihailks-
giving aav II he could reach table
ii tho restaurant nnsuspected. sh'9,ess
8 xxnIald bes his. The portion OF hiia 'ildt
..at,a show above the table Woisie
rails, 10 denot IL the waltef lsl'li. .
i roasted nalllfd s'ui h thaas VI NY, '..'
..a,la 81. aIp,i1t the thing. viii : h's-
~ II t-raAlis. and then isaln'91T''zFE.7' .
dcnlitasse aui II cigar ''ie a'''a' ~