The Washington times., 1911-03-22
CHAPTER V.

TIMNY CURTICE was permitting
himself the luxury of a day off
He felt that he was entitled to It,
For two weeks he had labored
steadily on the night force Of the Dial.
with the result that he had been in
formed, only the previous day, that his
:erViCeS were appreciated, and that II
had been decided to increase his salary.
To this, yau may be sure, Jimmy raised
no objection, merely remarkng to his
Informant, for effect. that he didn't
know but what he'd quit before long
and try free-lancing 1t again. This be-
ing accepted with the customary in
Credulous acquiescence, he added a re-
quest for one free day, which was will
1ngly granted him.
warm morning, he was feeling rather
well satisfied with himself The In
crease in pay was distinctly gratifying
it is a form of applause which one feels
freedom from the drudgcry of the re-
porter's life-which he unfeignedly de-
tested, however well he cid his work
was quite as pleasant. Moreover, two
weeks salary. together with check
received Unexpectedly as the proceeds
OF short story, had enabled him to
enlarge his wardrobe. and thus TO re-
gain his Salf-respect as we'll as to i'm
prove his market value. For. as with a
EOod-cOnditioQed slave, so with a we'll
dressed newspaper man; he is proper
tionately worth more to the slave-driv-
0r, whether that worthy be a manag-
ing editor or merely a Simon Legree.
Curtice had planned this day with the
intention of doing some OF his own
work, than which he could imagine
nothing more delightful. To the man
who writes. whether for bread alone or
for the love Of his work, there is moth
ing more inspiring than the rattle of
his typewriter or the scratch of bis
pen. The primal creative instinct is
strong within him, driving him to la
bor, and the joy of the thing created
is his great reward.
Nevertheless, the beauty of the day
had tempted Jimmy, and he had Yielded
and gone out to ii. telling himself. as
he put on his hat, that he would spend
q few hours in the open air to clear the
cobwebS from his brain, and would re-
turn to work refreshed and with re-
newed vigor. And that is a sound doc
trine in most cases. Curtice's was the
exception: his work suffered nightly
thereby. Had he remained at his desk
one portion of the map of the world
would perhaps have remained un-
changed But that was Fate's doing: II
would seem as if she, seeking for a
tool of certain temper, had chanced
upon Curtice and brought her quest to
a contented end.
His walk took him down the shady
side of Fifth avenue to Washington
Square. He dawdled along, breathing
deeply. ana enjoying every step OF the
way He turned into the park just in
time to bump into an old acquaintapce
a tall. lanlty New Engiander, wealth
er-beaten and bronzed: a man whose
keen eve and assured bearing. as of
conscious prowess, gave the lie to- his
graN-streaked hair.
This person flung himself upon Jim
my with great violence, so that the
passers-by became aware that he was
glad to see the young man.
"Howdy. son: howdy!" he shouted.
well, well! To meet you here!"
Jimmy pumped the mans hand up
and down with Yigor.
I'm glad TO see you, cap'n, Where
do you hail from this time, you old
Sinner?'
Captain Hendry grasped Jimmys
shoulders and held him off at arms
length: his face beamed with pleasure
md perspiration.
You come along with me, young
man." he said. I'm goine to buy you
4 drink II it's the last act of my life.
.fust the fellow 4 wanted to see more'n
anybody on Gods earth!'
What devilment have you up your
Eleeve this trip, capt?"
Never Won mind. You come along
with me, and you'll find out all that's
good for You to know"