The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1909-03-19

any cnudrcn behind viii rescue them
from starvation
Mrs, Bowser had nothing to say to
this, though queer Iook passed be-
tween her ana the family cat, and ten
minutes later tho druggist was being
questioned. Yes, he knew the wo.
man by name and he knew where she
lived. Her body had gone home, lie
couldn't say as to the children Hc
agreed that It was Il very sad thing,
and he thought Il very commendablo
of Mr.. Bowser to ho Interested, He
said all this and considerably more,
but there was a half smile ON his face
as he said Il. When he asked Mr.,
Bowser II Mrs, Bowser WAS IN sym
pathy with his mission and was an
swered that she didn't care rap II
half the town died OF hunger that half
smile turned into grim that irritated
and annoyed.
MFR. Bowser had only few blocks to
walk. lie looked for crowd around
the house, but no walls smote his
ear. Tho door was opened to him by
woman weighing 200 pounds and OF
liberal breadth OF body and arms like
a blacksmith. and he felt a bit ahashed
as he put the inquiry!
"was woman brought hero dead
about an hour agor
what sort OF gutf Is thisH" was the
reply. delivered IN voice as hoarsc
"a the below Of bull.
"over on the corner Of state and
Chestnut streets woman dropped
dead OF starvation this evening. !
was told that her dead body was
brought here Did she leave any chill.
dren2"
"And who are your
"My name Is Bowser"
at ought to be Tom Fooll II you
are up to any gum game, old man.
don't try Il ON here, | haven't trav'
eled over Europe. Asia and Africa. but
Two been as far west as Chicago and
can't be bamboozled by any such mug
as yours"
But you can be civil, can't your |
came here TO see what / could do In
the matter. am man with heart
In me-"
"oh. you are what they call phi,
lauthropistT'
That's II. | am not one 90 stand
By and see woman die OF hunger on
the streets and he buried in pau.
per's grave Did you say she left
chidrenT
IL didn't! III let her do the saying,
oh, Mary! Here's a gent as wants 10
chin with you. Come down"
| A woman of about ave and twenty
appeared at the head Of the stairs and
descended with uncertain steps, She
was poorly dressed and under the IN
fiuence Of drink, She was the woman
Mr., Bowser had seen drop dead.
"pid you sec the circus on the cor
nerf" she asked, with a grin.
Il saw you drop dead, as I sup
posed"
pretty good, wasn't It? didn't die
you see, but simply threw a fit 10 gel
drink Of brandy from the druggist" !"
"And you-you weren't hungry" asked
Mr.. Bowser.
Laughed at Him.
Both women laughed loud and long.
And you haven't got any starving
childrenf"
They both laughed again. and ther
the 200 pound woman opened the dooi
and said
"shoo, old gander! Chase yourscff
Mr.. Bowser looked around for some
thing TO murder, but the street wal
deserted by all save dog. and th'
canine took to It's heels at once. HI
headed for home. going block out O
his way to avoid the drug store, anI
at the gate he encountered man witt
big bundle under his arm. he sait
nothing, but a Wild idea buzze'
through his brain, and he dew up tn
steps and into the hall to call out 4
Mrs. Bowser:
"Woman, there's a fellow out her
with a bundle"
"YesT was the reply.
"Has he been hereT
"Yes, Just now"
What for?'
"Why, he was after old clothes, ant
| gave him two Of your suits. II
knows a tramp that win come for an
other in the morning. You know yo
told me not to turn any one ava,
empty handed. Did you arrange 10
the poor woman's funeral. and are W
to take in the starving children unit
they can be sent to homer
And Mr.. Bowser tainted away TO
the first time in his llfe... NJ. QUAD.
ONE BATH IN IL YEARS