El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1910-10-03

keep them, and Elsa had taken little
engagement
For little time he he'd experienced
the humiliation of living upon his wife,
though she, dear woman. was content
enough 70 work for him. But her en-
agement was all too short, and things
got worse with them. He tried his
hand at a little Journalism, and he sue
ceeded in selling an occasional article
to the papers. They moved from
cheap lodgings to cheaper. till now
the next move would be TO the street.
There come tripping footsteps up
the stairway. though he was so en-
crossed in his own thoughts that he
did not notice till a boy. with a boot
polishing box on his back. stood smil-
ing in front of him.
Hello. You're in early, Tommy"
said Jim Haddon. NO trade. eh?"
Rather, Plenty" said the boy.
jingling the coppers in his pocket.
only I'm going Off for a bit of a
'oliday this afternoon. Cotter ave a
'oliday sometimes. or I'll be laid up "
brain flag. Don't like leaving my pitch.
y know, in case some other merchant
goes and squats on it, but 1 couldn't
find anybody reliable. I say by CUB!
You write for the papers a bit, DON
article. I'd do it myself If 1 could
sling words a bit Write as If you
was a toff out for lark. "Ow got
my Twin as a shoe black and you take
my box and git the experience your
self this afternoon
by Jovei The papers would Jump
az it. I believe" he said. Where's
your pitch?"
Just on the kerbstone opposite st.
Pancras steps,
The takings are yours cried the
boy, as he handed over the box. I'll
just be paid for the polish you use.
His crib was by no means inappro-
pirate to the position, for he wore his
oldest and most worn clothes. for the
simple reason that his better ones
were all pledged; but he suffered
agonies of shame when at last he put
down the box in the public way. adver-
Using the fact that he, Jim Had
don. late of Neither CropweIl-Manor.
was ready to clean the boots of any,
one willing to pay him a penny or so
for the job. If it had been really
journalistic enterprise his self respect
would have borne it; but he was frank
with himself that it was not expert
ence he was seeking, but the coppers
that would flow in as a result of his
labor.
a pimply youth. smoking cheap
cigaret, and wearing an imitation
Panama, was his first customer. The
youth called him my lad' and
babe him hurry his fingers.
Jim could have strangled him and
yet he answered sir" and performed
his task for twoDence
Other customers come. There were
plenty of them. He worked mechanic
ally. The pennies were coming in,
that's ali he cared and each one meant |
so much comfort for Elsa.
Then fate played him trick harsher
than human ingenuity would have !
thought Of.
boot was thrust on his box. He
picked UP his brushes and glanced a |
ct his clients face. and he
found himself looking into the eyes of
his father
Jim! by heaven!'
Father"
Are you reduced to this?" asked the |
hair was white, his face furrowed as /
though by much sorrow. "Jim-Jim. Is
this what you have come TO, or-or-"
His voice broke.
JIM looking into his eyes. saw the |
tears streaming out of his eyes.
1T has come to this. he said slowly. |
as though the words were choking |
him."
He griDped his brush and instantly