The Washington times., 1911-01-21
By LEROY SCOTT

! Doubts and fears that had been rising
now stamped him; the mayor talk was
| only platform talk; the mayor was
! doubtless Ike all the others that had
| refused him, insulted him. He walked
! up and down the avenue, passing and
repassing the cafe and the narrow little
| shops that lined the sidewalk. Then he
| told himself that he had nothing to lose
| another refusal would be merely another
! refusal. He summoned back his cour-
| age, delivered himself into its hands
and entered.
| room, whose green walls were hung
! with signs OF breweries and with pla-
cards announcing the balls OF The
Lady Orchids THE Twin Brothers, -
The Carl Hoffman Association" and
dozen other social organizations OF
the neighborhood. Six rows of tables.
some marble-topped, some linen-cover-
ed. with chairs stacked upon them.
stretched the length OF the room, and
black-tacketed walters were mopping
the linoleum-covered floors.
One of the walters came forward to
meet David and cleared the chairs from
table. Nothing to eat, thank you,"
said David. Il want to see Mr.. Hoff-
man"
"Sorry-he's out. But he's likely to
be in any minute Just sit down. No,
wait-there he is now"
David looked about. Coming in from
the street was the ample form Of the
charged and paid two fines" the mayor
announced to the walters, who had all
looked up expectantly. And when I
got 'em out of the courtroom l lined
'em up and gave 'em gentle fits.
They'll keep sober for a while
He turned to-David. why some de-
cent men amt never sure the New
Years really begun till they've poured
themselves neck-full of whisky-mebbe
. Nl,-& A.,
but Carl Hoffman certainly don't"
David admitted that no more did he,
and then asked for a few minutes
talk-in private.
the mayor burdened David's waiter
with overcoat, muffler- and hat: and
David saw that gorgeous silk waist
coat had replaced the white one of last
night, And, say. boys" he shouted to
bin go for while and get busy at
somethin' out in the kitchen"
He led David to table in one corner,
beside a platform where ladies' or
chestra played at night, and after lift
ing of the chairs, they sat down facing
each other. well, now, what can do
for your" the mayor asked.
David did not give his courage time
to escape 81 was at your Inauguration
last night" he began quickly. "and
heard you say that II any man needed
"fhe poor mans friend-that's me-
broke in the mayor With With q quick oSa nod; q;
which burned a great diamond-before
him on the table.
And the poor man~thats me-" said
David.
tor. what's ailing you?" The mayor S
eyes became sharp, and his face became
as stern as it's pink fullness would per-
nit. But one word first. Some people
think I am an easy mark. l amt. I've
got two rules; never give a nickel to a
man that don't deserve it, and never
give the icy mitt to the man who de-
serves the warm hand. I guess I amt
never broke either rule. CRATER amt
got no more chance with me than a
chunk of butter in a fryin-pan. I amt
sayin' these things to hurt your feelin's,
friend, but just to let you know that IL
you amt on the level you're wasting
precious time here. If you're on the
level-fire away, I'm your man."
This was rather disconcerting. "I can
only tell you the TRUTH" said David,
choking within.
anything else the mayor said dryly.
II can generally tell when the chicken
in a chicken pie Is corned beef"
David gathered his strength. Il shall
tell you everything. To begin with
I've been a thief
stared. +Tales of woe always begin
with the best things fellow can say
about himself. If you start off with
bein' thief. Lord man, what'H you'll
be when you get through?''
I'm beginning with the worst. I'm
out of prison about four months. / was
sent up for-for stealing money from a
mission-st. Christpher's Mission-four
or five years ago"
Again the Mayor stared, and again