Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-03

point-they to blame! Why, don't you know. all
the best authorities agree that poverty crime
and the Of crime? 1t is individual, personal
ldt and should be recognized by society in general
Now, wal lookn' for debate any more'n | ever
am; but the cocksure, positive way that Whitney puts
this over sort of es me up Think so: says well,
don't. Strikes they don't all have the chance
to begin with
another common and msrhievous fallacy," says
Whitney "Never in the history of the has the in
divdua had wider opportunities The professions the
arts the sciences, all open to hm-helr OF all the
ages, you know. Schools are free universities practc
ally So Industry and merit so lavshy
warded. One has only to choose, and the wonderful
riches of ripe civilization are his to command He
fill his home with beautiful pictures listen to inspir
ing music travel in luxurious motorcars glide
through the air All these marvels are for those who will
grasp them. If they lack the will, then let them live
in their horrid enements debase their bodies and minds
with rank liquor and end in the gutter. They them
selves have made the choice. Do you follow me?'
Hardly says l. "Was you referrin to Stat Tucker"
"If that was the name of the wIetched person whom
| saw as [ came in. was, says Whitney. Evidently
he prefers the gutter, he wouldn't be there We
each of just what choose to make of ourselves1
one thing you another he what he is The same advan-
tages for acquiring wealth. knowledge, culture,
within the reach of all. will venture to say that, il
you should trace his from the beginning you
would find record of wasted opportunities. Have you
ever looked up his early career?'
"Slats?' says1 why, no. never took pains to"
= corner, and Stat Tucker is revealed once more.
Seems while this lively discussion about him had been
gon he'd gone peacefully to sleep and then rolled off
the bench against the
"Hello!' says |. "Why, here he is now, and we
get the details straight from headquarters Hey, you,
Sat Come out of the trance and sit up while get the
story of your life. That's it! Now up on the bench
with youl Never mind that dark brown taste in your
mouth the buzz head but tell the gentleman
here how it you didn't go to college and get to be
plute with fancy for oil pantins and steam yachts
And Stat he wipes his eyes with the back of his hand
and gawps foolish at
"See here!' SAYS |. what was it you was heavln in
so liberal all last night?'
"Why, mixed ale, mostly" says Stat. "You see Sir.
went down to Keegans with some of the boys and
ayes, | know the rest, says |. "None of you knew
when to quit But I'm surprised, Stat that you should
stick to mixed ale all your life, when YOU might have
developed taste for champagne Just easy There,
don't stare in that CLASSY way! Tell us what you've got
against ridn in linousines, and havn' box at the
opera, and empoyin valet and all that sort of thing
'Fess up now, Slat!'
Il don't know what you're gettin at says he.
Don't, eh?" says l. "Well, we'll begin farther back.
Where do you hail from, anyway
"Brockton. Mass, Stat.
"Where they make so many shoes, eh?' says l. @Wel,
SCHOOL," says he. "Why, I'd got most through the
eighth grade at fourteen; then | went into shop,
pastin' heels"
"How odd of YOU Slat!" says l. "Couldnt force you
to study art, or go to college, could they
Il dun no." says Stat hangn his head sheepish. @The
old man said had to get to work.
"Wel. what next?' says |.
"Why, six years after that | got to be
laster, he. "You know,sew the uppers to the
soles Made good money at times too, eighteen or
twenty week.
"And yet you never knocked off for few months to
go to Italy and the picture galleries, climb
the Alps get posted up sculpture goes on, real
NO Stat admits. "I-I got married when l
twenty girl in the stitchin room"
Il See" says I. ANY children"