The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1909-09-06

Downtown was his objective point. but he could
not bring himself any distances by leaving
the shelter Of the buildings Now he was obscssed
not decide from what point of espial unseen eyes
following him; from any Of the innumerable
windows it might be. So strongly did the unwholc-
some dread seize upon him that he crouched in a
deep doorway to be out of the range of all those
sinister orbs, while he finished his bread and cheese.
The beer-bottle he about to throw away, but
grew fearful of the nkling OF the broken glass; and
left it carefully in the doorway
Once, just beyond the hotel, when he thought he
heard the sound of stealthy footsteps, he paused
mid way in the street and peered anxiousy about
his steps he resumed his fight, moving more
softly. In passing the entrance of the Fatiron
Building his eyes distendea at behoding several
spider-webs blocking the doorway. 1t was incred-
ible, terrifying, and his soul shivered
Where were the crowds? The dull the intent the
lstess, the hopeless ard the ambitious faced peo-
pie; where they? Sympathy? What rocked
that Companonship! Companionship of his
fellow-men, of dog, of anything, what he
hungered for. Simply the companionship of pass
ing presence
The glare of the countless windows had by this
time become intolerable. His last glimpse of the
Metropolitan building decided him on a new course
He would take to the Subway With this thought
hope and he thrilled with high expectation.
The people. of course, fearing calamity, had
taken refuge underground This the explana-
ton. Else how could entire city empty itself in
individual behind: But the horses? Where were
the horses? Bus and dray private equpage and
cross-town horse stood abandoned all along his
way. But the horses, like the drivers had vanished
Then he remembered the spider-webs and wondered
if they could have been spun in single night
He still debating these two points when he
he clattered down the steps he mechanically pro-
duced coin and showed it in the small window But
no lightning hand brushed it from his sight, no
ticket-chopper waited expectant-the Subway was
as deserted and quiet as the upstairs world A
downtown express stood empty beside local. and
wall of backness forbade his passing beyond the
rim of murky light hltering down the stairway.
He crept back. his distorted face rejecting the
torture of his soul. Outside he crouched against a
building and gnawed his fingers. Should he go
north south? Then the picture of the empty
square, surrounded by eering staring windows also
the stealthy footsteps behind him. decided him to
risk the unknown and try for Brooklyn.
He was dimly conscious OF being uncomfortable
from the heat, and without bothering to remove his
pocket-book he threw away his coat. The on
terrified him He must keep up till he reached
the bridge. For now. he reasoned, the people had
crossed into Brooklyn Blu: what about the webs
on the Flatiron?
Then he paused inspiration came to him
Why had he forgotten the newspaper Offices? Had
he turned north to Herald Square and the Times
Br..1ing he would have ascertained by this time
what had eliminated the life of the great city.
Newspaper Row." he rnumbled and then afraid
of open speech he sought to condone the eternal
silence by repeating the words in whisper
af1Ea Hstft1 - s