The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1909-10-14

PITCHED SOAPY
streets he hands his pasteboard to the
north wind. footman of the mansion
of All Outdoors. SO that the inharit-
ants thereof may make ready.
Soapy's mind became cognizant of
the fact that the time had come for
him to resolve himself into a 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 doomed big and timely in
Soapy's 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
eleemosynary. on which he might set
out and receive lodging and food ac-
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
hands of philanthropy. AS Caesar had
his Brutus, every bed of charity must
have it's toll of a bath, every loaf of
bread it's compensation of a private
and personal inquisition, wherefore it
is better to be guest of the law.
which, though conducted by rules, does
not NEEDLE unduly with a gentleman's
private affairs.
Soapy, having decided to go to the
island, at once set about accomplish
ing his desire. There were many easy
ways of doing this. The pleasantest
was to dine luxuriously at some ex-
pensive restaurant and then. after de-
claring insolvency, be handed over
quietly and without uproar to police
man. An accommodating magistrate
would do the rest.
Soapy left his bench and strolled out
of the square and across the level sea
of asphalt where Broadway and Fifth
avenue flow together. Up Broadway
ne turned and halted at glittering
cafe where are gathered together night
ly the choicest products of the grape,
the silkworm and the protoplasm.
Soapy had confidence in himself from
the lowest button of his vest upward.
He was shaved. and his coat was de-
cent, and his neat black, ready tied
fourth hand had been presented to
him by lady missionary on Thanks
giving day. If he could reach table
In the restaurant unsupported. success
would be his. The portion of him that
would show above the table would
raise no doubt in the walters mind.
A roasted mallard duck. thought Soapy.
would be about the thing. with bot
tie Of Chablis. and then Camembert, a
demitasse and cigar One dollar for