The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1912-09-17

Then Sam Hill realized that the
creature at which he was staring in
the dimness was a small bear, to
which vas attached a chain that
clanked upon the asphalt walk.
"Mr. Jones, is it," snapped Hill.
And who the devil are your"
81 am Pedro" replied the animals
custodian. And even In the gloom
Hill could see the white CLEAN OF a
smile. The slender figure Strengthened
up on the bench beside him.
what Pedro? Pedro who?" de-
manded Hill, interested in spite OF
himself.
"Only just Pedro" came the answer.
Then followed a laugh-a wonderful,
ripping laugh, ending abruptly, as
though a door had been closed upon
music.
well, Pedro, whoever you are" re-
piled Hill. you seem to be in as Ill
straits as myself, else you would not
J be sitting in the square at such an
hour"
Are you hungry, too?" Pedro in
quired.
Hill laughed, a short laugh, not 80
pleasant to hear as the others.
"In a way" said he.
"Ah!" said Pedro p%ltyingly, and by
the tone Hill knew that the youth had
guessed at a hidden meaning In his
words.
"Why do you come to the city,"
asked the latter, after a pause. Your
brotherhood usually keep to the open
road"
81 come because | am an artist, and
here | shall have more opportunity
to paint" replied Pedro.
you speak as though you were a
genius" said Hill bitingly.
Perhaps am" Pedro returned.
There was a silence, during which
Mr.. Jones fumbled the hand of his new
acquaintance affectionately. Then
said Pedro:
"What is your trouble?"
Somehow Hill was not in the least
offended by the question. For a mo
ment he considered 1t, then:
81 must go away and hide myself"
he said.
"And you don't want to go away?"
"Yes-or rather, | want to go, al.
though 1t is a duty take a bitter
pleasure in discbarging. But ! must
60, because | must hide"
"Oh!" said Pedro. why go off to
hide? A good way to get out of sight
is to remain where you are, and tell
no one about it. People so promptly
forget about you"
Hill peered at the youthful face to
see If the bear trainer was joking; but
no trace of mirth could he discover,
"Perhaps!" said he. Then to change
the subject. when did you arrive in
the city,"
"This afternoon"
"And what. exactly, do you expect
to do?"
ITO find a master. and to study; to
find a studio, and to paint" was the
terse reply.
And meanwhile go hungry! Are
you saving all your money for the ends
you mention?"
81 have no money" explained Pedro
cheerfully.
Then how do you plan to get your
studio?"
Il do not know yet" Pedro told
him. But there must be a great many
In so large a city"
$50 you are not daunted by the
somewhat uncertain future before
YOU" remarked Hill. even though
you are unfed?"
81 have been that BEFORE" retortet
Pedro dryly.
WELL" said Hill, the most imme
date OF our troubles can be mended
|, too, am hungry, viii you dine will
me?"
I'VE shall be glad to-" said Pedro.
Hill had forgotten the bear, blu.
when Pedro said I'VE" he realized tina
; there were three hungry beings.
"All right" he said, making a rapit
mental inventory Of Che restaurants h,
knew. Hitting at last on the RICH
, one, he got to his feet with a jerk
r Come along, wen go over to Ga
= lotti's."
They ate the entire menu with yer,
little conversation. Then they pushe,
Z, back their chairs a little. and talked
Hill tossed a package Of cigarette
: upon the table, lighting n himself
Pedro followed suit, inhaling the fume
with a long sigh of contentment.
"You are fond Of that bear?" askeI
Hill.
Il am" replied Pedro. HE is m,
9 good friend; he is the thing ! Low
most of all"
Tell me of your wanderings wit
him." he asked.
And Pedro told him. The elder ma
@ oat 'oiy stiii 40 ho iio'ohSu' MS W."
tilted back against the brick wall, hi
q eyes narrowed to mere Sits of ligh
as no watched the young raconteu
through the blue haze of smoke. VIVA
tales these we're to which he listened
4 how they stirred the wanderlust
him.
Then. too, the fascination Of the al
cient and honorable profession of bea
dancing had taken hold on Hill. BIZ
though he listened well. every littl
while came the thought of his los
q love, and with II a wave of d~epressio
swept we him. With a desperate e
@ fort to pull away from 1t he aske