West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-09-30


the meat would leave him filled aud
happy for the journey to his winter
refuge.
But as Soapy set foot inside the res
taurant door the head walters eye fell
upon his frayed trousers and decadent
shoes. Strong aud ready hands turned
him about and conveyed him in silence
and haste TO the sidewalk and nverted
the ignoble fate OF the menaccd mallard.
Soapy turned or Broadway. II
seemed that his route TO the coveted
island was not to be an epicurean one.
Some other way OF entering limbo
must be thought Of
At corner OF Sixth avenue electric
lights and cunningly displayed wares
behind plate glass made n shop win
dow conspicuous. Soapy took n cob
blestone and dashed Il through the
glass. People came running around
tho corner, a policeman I'm the lead
Soapy stood still with his hands in
his pockets and smiled at the sight
OF brass buttons.
where's the man that done that 2"
inquired the officer excitedly.
Don't you figure out that might
have had something to do with IT."
said Soapy. not without sarcasm, but
friendly, as one greets good fortune.
The policeman's mind refused to ac-
cept Soapy even as a clew. Men who
smash windows do not remain To par
ley with the laws minions. They take
to their heels. The policeman saw a
man halfway down the block running
TO catch car. With drawn club he
Joined in the pursuit. Soapy. with dis
gust I'm his heart, loafed along. twice
unsuccessful.
On the opposite side OF the street
was n restaurant OF no great preten-
sions. IL catered to large appetites
and modest purses. Its crockery and
atmosphere were thick. its soup and
napery thin. Into this place Soapy
took his accusive shoes and telltale
trousers without challenge. At n table
he sat and consumed beefsteak, flap
jacks. doughnuts and pie. And then
to the waiter he betrayed the fact that
the minutest coin and himself were
strangers.
Now get busy and call n cop" said
Soapy. "and don't keep a gentleman
waiting"
mo cop for youse," said the walter.
with voice like butter cakes and an
eye like the cherry I'm a Manhattan
cocktail. Hey, Conr'
Neatly upon his left ear on the cal.
lous pavement two walters pitched
Soapy He arose, joint by Joint, as q
carpenters rule opens, and beat the
dust from his clothes. Arrest seemed
but rosy dream. The island seem
ed very far away. A policeman who
stood before n drug store two doors
away laughed and walked down the
street.
Five blocks Soapy Travelled before
his courage permitted him to WOO cap
ture again. This time the opportunity
presented what he fatuously termed
to himself "cinch." A young WON
an OF a modest and pleasing guIse was
standing before n show window gaz.
Ing with sprlghtly interest at its dis.
play OF shaving mugs and inkstands
and two yards from the window q
large policeman OF severe demeanor
leaned against water plug.
IL was Soapy's design to assume the
WV VI Nht hfnlIlNAblt anu tAEGIdltl
"masher." The refined and elegant ap,
pearance OF his victim and the cont
guilty OF the conscientious cop encour
aged him to believe that he would soon
feel the pleasant official clutch upon
his arm that would insure his winter
quarters on the right little, tight little
Isle
Soapy Strengthened the lady mission
ary's ready made tie, dragged his
shrinking cuffs into the open, set his
hat at a killing cant and sidled to
ward the young woman. He made
eyes at her, was taken with sudden
coughs and "hems," smiled, smirked
and went brazenly through the impu
dent and contemplate lltany OF the
"masher." With half an eye Soapy
saw that the policeman was watching
him fixedly. The young woman NOV
ed away n few steps and again be
slowed her absorbed attention upO1
the shaving mugs. soapy followed
boldly stepping TO her side, raised hi,
hat and said:
"Ah. there, Bedelia! Don't you want
TO come and play In my yardT
The policeman was still looking The
prosecuted young woman had but "a
beckon a finger and Soapy would be
/ practically en- route for his insulaI
haven. Already he imagined he could
/ feel the cOzy warmth OF the station
house. The young woman faced hin
and, stretching out hand, caught
| Soapy's coat sleeve.
Sure. Nike" she said joyfully, ~
/ you'll blow me to a pail OF suds. I'd
have spoke to you sooner, but the COZ
was watching"
| With the young woman playing tho
clinging ivy to his oak Soapy walked
/ past the policeman, overcome with
| gloom. He seemed doomed TO liberty
At the next corner ne shook or his
| companion and ran. He halted in the
district where by night are found the
lightest streets. hearts, vows and II
brettos Women in furs and men IN
greatcoats moved gayly IN the wintry
air. a sudden fear seized Soapy thai
some dreadful enchantment had ren
dered him immune TO arrest Tn,
thought brought n little OF panic upor
| it. and when he came upon another
policeman lounging grandly In front Of
a transplendent theater he caught al
the immediate straw Of "disorderly
! conduct"
on the sidewalk Soapy began 60 yei
drunken gibbcrish at the top Of hil
harsh voice lie danced, howled, ravet
and otherwis, disturbed the weikin.
/ The poiiceman twIffe. club, turn
cd his back TO soapy and N slEed 4
I q cfff,on. =.