Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1909-10-08

ON The CALLOUS PAVEMENT IWO WhliIho
PITCHED SoAPY.
streets he hands his pasteboard to the
north wind, footman of the mansion
of All Outdoors, so that the inhabit-
ants thereof may make ready.
Soapy's mind became cognizant OF
the fact that the time had come for
him tc resolve himself into q singular
committee Of ways and means to pro-
vide against the coming rigor. And
therefore he moved uneasily on his
bench.
The International ambitions Of Soapy
were not of the highest. In them there
were no considerations of Mediterra-
mean cruises, of soporific southern
skies or drifting in the Vesuvian bay.
Three months on the island was what
his soul craved. Three months of as
sured board and bed and congenial
company, safe from Boreas and blue
coats. seemed to Soapy the essence Of
things desirable.
For years the hospitable Blackwell's
had been his winter quarters. Just as
his more fortunate fellow New York
ers 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 his
lap, had failed to repulse the cold as
he slept on his bench near the squirting
fountain in the ancient square. So
the island loomed big and timely in
Soapys mind. He scorned the provi-
sions made in the name of charity for
the city's dependents. In Soapy's opin-
ion the law was more benign than
philanthropy. There was an endless
round of institutions. municipal and
eeemosynary. on which he might set
out and receive lodging and food &C.
cordant with the simple life. But to
one of Soapy's proud spirit the gifts
of charity are incumbered. If not in
coin you must pay in humiliation of
spirit for every benefit received at the
VI SuCoul
his Brutus, every bed of charity must
have it's toll of a bath, every loaf of
bread its compensation of private
and personal inquisition, wherefore ii
is better to be a guest of the law
which, though conducted by rules, does
not NEEDLE unduly with gentleman's
private affairs.
Soapy, having decided to 60 to the
island, at once set about accomplish
ing his desire. There were many easy
ways of doing this. The pleasantes
was to dine luXuriously at some ex
pensive restaurant and then, after de
claring insolvency.. be handed owe
quietly and without uproar to police
man. An accommodating magistrat,
would do the rest
Soapy left his bench and strolled on
of the square and across the level set
Of asphalt where Broadway and Fiftl
avenue flow together. Up Broadwa!
he turned and halted at a gitterin.
cafe where are gathered together night
ly the choicest products Of the grape
the silkworm and the protoplasm.
Soapy had confidence in himself iron
the lowest button of his vest upward
He was shaved. and his coat was de
cent, and his neat black, ready tiet
fOur-in-hand had been presented t,
him by lady missionary on Thanks
giving day. If he could reach tabl
in the restaurant unsupported, success
would be his. The portion of him tina
would show above the table woul,
raise no doubt in the walters mind
A roasted mallard duck, thought Soapy
would be about the thing. with bot
tie of Chahlis. and then Camembert.
demitasse and a cigar One dollar 70
the cigar would be enough. The tota
would not be so high as to call fortl
any supreme manifestation of revenge
from the cafe management, and ye
the meat would leave him filed anC
happy for the journey to his winter
refuge.
IT, But as Soapy set foot inside the res
'taurant door the head walters eye fel
upon his frayed trousers and decaden
shoes. Strong and ready hands turned
him about and conveyed him IN sileuc,
and haste to the sidewalk aud averte,
the ignobe fate of the menaccd malard
Soapy turned off Broadway. |,
seemed that his route to the coveted
island was not to be an epicureap one
Some other way of ep.sring limbo