The Washington herald., 1909-08-01

BY JAMES LANoSlE hODAEhs
That Saturday night It had rained
again. The night before the Dreamer had
been among his people and had discussed
some Of the things which were agitatlng
them. He had divided time with law
YER. with the usual result-neither was
convinced. and the interminable case OF
Privilege VS.. The Proletariat was con-
tinued without day.
Hence Il was the Dreamer was gloomy
and abnormaHy pessimistic- He rallied
against the things that were. and trem-
bled at thought Of the things that were
20 come. He appropriated the fire tongs
and mooduy poked the sullen brands
he who hitherto had confined himself 10
reading spark signs and translating fugi-
tive smoke columns into messages OF
hope.
The Boss had growled that this den Of
the Cozy Conner was devoted TO other
purposes than pessimistlc doldrums- The
Kentuckian had refused 10 null ale. de-
cIaring It was not cheer that was wanted
apparently. but funeral baked meats and
the other concomitants Of an intellectual
wake. Then It was that the Physician
purred his story. resorung 10 his usual
parable &c Offset the gloom with which
the Dreamer lad enveloped the Oldtim-
ers by his diatribes against existing con-
ditions and the alleged 'inhumanity OF
man.
Tt was not so very long ago-even
since the holders OF the material things
Of this life We're job-lotted as male
factoTs-that l was roaming the streets
in the hours that are mine, from mid
night until o'clock. or even later. Those
are the hours during which / speculate
and philosophize. but also during which
1 am attracted to many things that 40
not appeal 70 me at other times.
IAN affair Of some social consequence
was In progress. and an attendant, mega
phone in hand. was bawling out carriage
numbers for those who were taking their
departure. A tall policeman stood beside
the temporary shelter which extended
the porte-cochere TO the carriage step.
We providers of the night are either
friendly with or fearful CT those OF the
blue coat or baton. and there is free
dom OF the early morning unknown 10
the disciples Of the day or evening. Thus
1t was I stood and talked with him. idly
eyeinC the homeward-bound as they took
10 their carriages.
There was a slight congestion at the
entrance, and a couple stood within a
yard or so Of US. One was a tall and
stately young woman. whose flowing coat
o. costly fur could not conceal the splen-
did gown she wore. and as she carelessly
turned toward the policeman and 1 her
splendid beauty flashed in the inSonstant
glare Of the arc light. while diamonds
caught up the rays Of light and shot
them dazzling out 10 shame the sputter-
ing carbon. Fer glance was careless for
a brief second. and then her eyes lighted
up as she took a. step forward and said
in q pleasant tone: Good evening, SER
geant; T. Just then her carriage came
up, her escort seized her arm. ana she
threw a smile over her shoulder TO the
policeman as she departed The latter
had drawn up in salute and stood as
grim and stiff as though the President
were passing him in review.
A remarkably fine figure Of a wom-
sn.' I said. "A friend Of yours?' This
carelessly, for the sergeant bristled up.
but after a moment a half grin III up
his face, and he replied nonchalantly:
Yes: caught her last week
Caught her? Explain yourself What
do you meanr I almost Indignantly
asked him.
Caught her; exactly that. he replied.