New-York tribune., 1910-02-20

as that of the white man and indeed. in MS case.
was proving less cruel.
Walsh having no other home and wishing to econ
o1nize lived on the boat. Now that ne had stopped
drinking. he realized that saloons had been about the
only places of entertainment he had known tor years
and that their temptation was hard to resist.
Once he ventured into one and sat down at table.
hungering to talk With some one and Wiling TO pay
companionship. He bought round OF dr1-hs Ior
the men at the table, drinking and paving Tor ord-
nary water for himself. A cersc Of lOathlng came
over him at t5ir Des. They could not understand
man who would buy water. As he sat there and
thought Of all the davs he had passed in saloons, and
watched his companions grow 1Oquaclous under the
influence of alcohol ne wondered what attraction he
could ever have found in such surroundings. Tie
was still meditating when a rough voice called:
-" oh there's Walsh The Qu1tter, Ain You teIlers
got no better company n him:
A HUSH fell over the table and all of those who had
n accepted his hospitality scowled at him. One or
two of them stood up One said something insulting
but he was not looking at that man He mad jumped
TO his feet and staring at the one who had recalled
the evil pseudOnvm. 1t was one OF the crew OF the
Elsie B. with whom he had worked but to whom he
had never spoken.
The man and his fellows had expected no resist
ance 1t is regarded safe proposition, according
to rule, to insult the man who has no spirit and
record of cOWardiCe Everything crashed and
whirled The man from the Elsie b and any others
who interfered went down under the Tnaddened
smashes of Tom Walsh fists as he struck right and
IL.
drawn lips until at last he stood IN the center OF
crowd that feared to modest him. Two three
tables had been overturned and broken glass Uttered
the floor. Three men We're being assisted to their
feet and the proprietor fearing meet the fighting
animal in the center OF the group and wishing TO be
rid of him quickly lest police call JeOpardze his Ii
cense gruffv irnpOred him to get out OF the place
I'll go" Walsh declared, unless some one else
here wants to call me quitter. Any OF YOU want the
Job He glared from face to face; but no one vol
unteered. Here, take this, It'll pay for damages.
he said throwing fVe-dollar bill at the proprietor
and starting toward the door.
The crowd opened and made way for him in re
spectfu silence. He opened the door and turned
round For what seemed long time he glared at the
watching him and the man who had gone behind
the bar He lifted his hand above his head, and the
silence became intense.
III never again. so help me God he said walk
into another saloon! I'm through with them, for
good and all
He swung out into the night and slammed the door
shut after him. He walked away into the darkness
toward the Elsie B. leaving behind him babel of
excited conversation and several who would
again dare use the term of contempt.
THAT was the last time Tom Walsh sought com
panonship. 1t the last time that anyone
ventured to call him gutter. because of
the wharves travels faster than the tide He
regarded dangerous man. one who on occasion
might prove deadly.
His habits underwent another change He found
the companiOnshp of books, and night after night
poured over new treasures He learned the Joy of
impartIng knowledge To another and patiently
taught the niger 10 read. to write. to calculate
and take interest in his work KS the months
away he took a curious interest IN the experiment of
teaching the black engineering, and looked for
ward whimscally to the time when the niger"
could stand examination and get license
marine engineer.
San" he would say after hearing lesson.
''y-lr head is thick; but it isn't thick it
You Il doing well Now, day after tomorrow you've
u know all this and Wpu'i then turn over with