The San Francisco call., 1910-12-18

they had drunk had made him dizzy.
I'm crazy in the head" he muttered
Alphabetically; kinda crazy in the
head"
They walked through Union square
to the bar Of a little corner grocery in
Bush street WelGy drank whisky
feverishly; he seemed trying to widen
his brain to an avalanche of new
thoughts. doubts, fears. My business
Is running down." he muttered. I
wapta quit can't afford this legisla-
turs game I'm building new house,
Ham, a new house--and we--and W.
he neandered off unintelligibly, gFlp-
ing his whisky ann staring al the fnif-
rofs
Arnold quietly allowed him drink
and meditation TO the full. and
with drink and thought he weakened
pitiably. Ills tongue loosened, he went
on with d garruleus fecounting Of his
business troubles; 1t was a critical time
for. hin--he was partner in the job
printing office. and he had not yet paid
UP his share of the Investing capital;
living waA high, 1t took lot for Lille
and the babies and for his mothers
keep, and he didn't know--he ought to
be home looking after things and not
i'll this fool legislature.
They went to the quiet bacKroom of
another saloon. had drink and then
Arnold doggedly fired another shot at
him. Lets see, the Bondsle liquor
company is. carrying Unc' Pop on its
books for s1500. isn't it?''
Fred stared at him again with
amazement He didn't know-he sup
posed so-he couldn't see how Ham
knew all these things and what they
had to do with the case, and yet?-well,
of course, the Wholesaler had to stand
in'-sure, that was 1.-THE could see,
They figure. ON all these things,
Ham continued patiently. and then he
fired the last shot. Fred, your shop
had the contract for a great big lot of
the printing for the street railway COM
pany last year, din't it?'
Yes. we dropped everything else for
that. It's 8 big ITEM
And you want it again, don't you?"
Why-why-sufe we've been fgur-
ing on 1t. We loaded up on a lot of
paper stock, thinking of their require
ments. We're going to bid sharp, for
we need that business pretty bad.
Wei, ii you stand right. you can
get it-I know you can! There's a lot
of stuff can come your way, Fred If
you're wise
The assemblymafl was in doubt, then
slowly he saw the matter. He smiled
sadly on his friend. Il suppose it's UP
to me to vote against the investigation,
amt it? Throw down my union and
all the decent people for the gamblers
ring, amt it? Gods sake, Ham,
thought / was going there to be
squarei" He laughed briefly. But I'm
getting in bad-I'fil beginning to need
money, Ham
Money! Arnold's voice was softly
alert; he leaned across the table.
20, WELL meant IN general" Weidy 4
face reddened. Il meant / was getting
hard up, with the new house and allr
Il know. Fred, there's plenty OF
money around It's easy enough to get
And why not? What's the use of stir
ring this rottenness up? Nobody wants
1T except women and few farmers
and some dinizy Methodist and Baptist
brothers who haven't drag enough tc
scare fly Off your hat. The big churches
such as Chatom attends don't want it
They never attack anything there
they're too busy praising God. They're
AFRAID he'll forget his business IT they
don't sing anthems and swing candles
sticks and tell him how good he is.''
20. I don't know don't know" pro-
tested the printer II don't go te
church, but l always thought truth anc
justice got ahead somehow.
Truth and justice retorted Ham
with sermonizing seriousness, always
meet with reward If they're sufficiently
duNeEtlSeu-anQ lney u0h Huil buSl-
ness. Otherwise there's not much de-
mand for the goods
20. don't know Weldy wa'
troubled and confused. There's Chris
and what he taught"
'Christ's out on the street" Arnolt
murmured '.The wise people highei
up couldn't do business with hin
around
They had gone to the pavement
Weldy seeking refuge in self pity. w,
gotta hold that contract-friy partner
no hustler. Ham," he pleaded. Oh
we just gotta hold that printing ng-th'
shops running down. And In the darl
Arnold swung on him with sudden
vicious snap.
Well how is it. Fred?" he whis
pered. Do you need money!
Money? Gods sake-what're yol
talking money for?'' Fred's voice, toe
was In whisper: he tried to assume
trembling Indignation. but the quive
IN his tone was not Of anger.
DO you need a loan2