The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1911-01-22

bare. After all, his rent might as
well have been single room; Little
vacant, would do him.
Darkness had fallen, and he was sit
ting alone, telling himself that his hav-
ing a position that assured him a
salary at the end of the month was
all very fine, but how was he to live
till that salary was due, when Mr..
Rogers came in.
at has occurred to me that perhaps
you could use little ready money
Mr.. Rogers said, in his low voice, and
he laid several bills upon David's table.
There's one months wages in ad-
vance" And before David had recov-
cred from his surprise Mr.. Rogers was
out of the room.
While David was still staring at this
money, there was another knock. He
opened the door upon the mayor of
Avenue A. The mayor walked in and
lowered himself heavily into the one
rocking-chair.
ers," he called out, as though David
were a block away. You'll find Rogers
quiet, but the real thing. He's got a
heart that really beats"
He looked about. Just using this
with the others?'
Nothing
why don't you rent emp"
"D'you think I CAM"
Can? You can't help it. Why, only
yesterday a family was askin' me to
how much them four rooms would be
worth. I pay thirty a month up on
the second floor; this might fetch six
teen or eighteen, or mebbe twenty.
You've got the best room; take that
off and say-well, say twelve a month.
How'd that suit your"
IF l could only get it,
The mayor drew out q fat wallet.
That fixes my family up. then. Here's
your twelve"
You're In earnest?" David asked,
slowly.
Sure. The family'u be in tomorrow"
But l can't take the money in ad-
vance-and from you"
1T amt my money. It's theirs. And
advance-nothin'! Rents always in ad-
vance. And If don't cinch the bargain
now somebody'll come along and offer
you thirteen. and then wherell l be?
Here, stick this in your pants and shut
up
David took the money
Mr.. Hoffman, don't know how can
ever thank you for your fayorsT
"Oh, this amt no favor. This is bust
ness. But II you think it's favor-well,
some day l may be on my uppers. Re-
member it then" A pillowy hand drew
forth his watch, lit up with diamonds.
Well by George! if / don't chase right
over to my joint ! won't even have any
is always forgettin' to water the soup.
When he was alone, David sat with
eyes looking at his fortune, which ne
had heaped upon the table. and with
mind looking at the situation in which
he now found himself. Eight years be-
fore he would have regarded this JAM
tors position much as man on a green
sunlit bank of a Cliff-walled. tumultuous
river would regard a little bare edge
below against which the water frothed
in anger-as something not worth even
a casual thought. But he. had been IN
that stream which sweeps its prey on
to destruction; his hands had slipped
from its smooth walls: and just as he
was going down he had caught the 1T
tie ledge and dragged himself up on II
and now this bare roGH to him was tne
world He did not THINK OF the green
fields and the sun above, toward Whlch
he must begin 20 climb; he could only
as it were, lie gasping upon ms back
and marvel at the miracle OF MS es-
cape.
his thoughts, when he was reused by
vet another knock. He had asked ms
landlady to send Tom over when the
boy returned, and as he crossed the
room he hoped he would find Tom al
the door. Sure enough. there stood the
how. He came in quietly, with certain
hesitancy, for during the past week the
two had hardly spoken-they had mere
" been aware of the others existence.
What's all dis mean?" he asked
slowly. looking around in amazement
David clapped his hands on Toms
shoulders in a rush of spirits. 1T
means, my boy, that we're going to be
gin to live. See this room? The rents
paid for as long as we stay here. And
look at the table,"
Tom looked, instead. at David's face.
Gee, pard. If you amt got grim he
cried Forthwith a grin appeared on his
own face He turned to the table-and
stared Say, look at de bank he
gasped.
That's something to eat, Tom. And
new clothes There's twenty-four dol
lars in that pile, and twenty-four COM
ing in every month, with no rent to
pay"
Don't say muffin. pard. If dis is
dream, don't wake me up. But what's
de graft? How did you get next to all
David related his days experience.
When he had ended. Tom did few
steps to a vaudeville dance, then seized
David's hand. well, amt dis luck!
It's like God woke up. But what you
goin' 10 do wild all de coin?"
"Oh! buy railroads and such things
David held on to the hand the boy
had given him and took the other
Tom he said. looking down into the
boys face. I've got an idea neither OF
US is very proud of all the things he's
done lately. Dyou think so?''
The boys eyes fell to the floor.
81 shouldn't care to tell you all I've
done. Should you care to tell me-"
The tangled head shook,
well, from now on we're going to
be straight-all on the level. Aren't
WEI"
Tom looked up. "I guess we are,
pard," he said, in a low voice.
They looked steadily into each
others eyes for an instant. Then
David gave him a quick push. ION
with your hat, there, my boy! Let's
see If the groceryman won't take
some of this money"
After their dinner. David began to
tack up prints. Tom meditatively
watched his back. then suddenly an
nounced, II seen her today"
David turned sharply. He knew the
answer. but he asked. Saw who?"
you know-de lady what I fetched
up. I seen her on de street"
David tried to appear unconcerned.
"D'd she say anything"
"She asked how you was"
what did you tell herr"
Ct didn't know what to say. 1 was
afraid O queerin' something you might
"a told her 1 justssaid you was bet
ter"
David tackled up another print. while
Tom again watched him thoughtfully.
Then Tom asked abruptly:
she's a friend o yourn, ain't she?'
mo"
a tone of disappointment. why aim
"Well-I guess she doesn't like me-
Don't like you.' cried Tom indie-
nantly. Den she's a bum steer" he