Evening star., 1909-05-30

garretllke place of my abode There must have
been at least hundred working there at one
o'clock in the morning, shadowy. moving phantons
of black, weaving in and out round shadowy teams
of sleeping horses and high. ungainly, shadowy
wagons The lights from the ends OF the street made
these fitting shapes seem tangled One was stand
ing quietly for the time being just few feet from
where halted, and another phantom approached it.
Are you the foreman?' heard voice of peculiar
resonance ask.
Yep The crisp reply interested me, and /
Sidled
Well, sir, I'd like to go to work
But the papers say men are wanted to shovel
and that the pay twenty five cents an hour.
the resonant voice insisted.
The foreman moved farther up. the line. He
waved an imperative hand at of the teamsters.
Hee yS he called Wahe WAX up Move
The applicant. of whose face | could not get
view followed him Cant you give me work."
The foreman wheeled round as if annoyed by this
nportunty No l can't! l told you that be-
fore" He peered at the other man for instant,
and then continued, What can you do You're
too old to be any good Get OUT Don't bother mel.
But can hold hour -
The foreman suddenly plunged out into the heart OF
the gang as If to escape and began giving sharp orders
mixed with brisk oaths The rejected one stood for
moment as if inclined to make another attempt:
ard l. admiring his persistence moved closer to him.
thus beg inning our acquaintance.
Wouldn't give you anything to do, eh | queS-
toned almost in his
He swung round abruptly so that the light from
of the at the end of the street shone full on
world the kind of man meets in Broadway at
the noon hour, whom would pick the small
business man probably we'll to do, perhaps prosper
ous possibly wealthy His beard snow white
that had at time been natty From all that
could see standing there in the half-light that
kind to him. he appeared gentleman
You heard what he said? was his reply
Yes, heard, and-excuse me-. to save my life l
couldn't help apologizing to m,-''you needed the
twenty-five cents.
Quite true" he assented but don't blame
him | am rather old for that kind of work. I'm
seventy-three Goodnight
HE started for the corner and felt properly
IL bufed but was trif1e rritated by what con-
ceived to be false pride So followed him until we
stood in the outer edge of the pool of white light at
the street intersection
Pardon Can't you spare moment p
Perhaps he thought too was derelict. Anyway,
he stopped and stared at me from beneath thatch
of white eyebrows
You desperate, l said
To my surprise he laughed Not in the least
I'm not even discouraged There are hundred
other gangs of men working tonight I've ex-
hausted my chances with only those I've met since
eight o'clock in the evening.
See herei" | said amazed at his attitude II
want to help you You're busted"
What of that" he answered That at most is
not disgraceful. There are probably several other
in similar STATE of depletion tonight How
can you help me! Have you any snow to shovel?''
Yes. > l burted out but it has to be shoveed in
the daytime. You can have the job"
Where shall L report he asked rather eagerly.
l was stumped parried for time in front of this
mpecunious old gentleman whose speech and actions
had enlisted my sympathies. IN explain to you
Tomorrow" said. In the meantime perhaps you
would like advance the work "
This he accepted thankfully l had just dollar
in my pocket, and gave it to him, together with the
number of my dwelling 80. j..
My name is Howe" he volunteered as he TN
buttoned his overcoat and tucked the bill
away, . Howe F G.
l still inquisitive What's your postofice
address,"