Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1912-05-24

might be necessary, "as 1t has beel
expensive. Let's see-sixpence to tn
match-g girl and half crown to tn
'clark'-that's three shillings. I coul'
live q day and half at some Of thes'
little joints for that-if 1t could b.
called living. Home, sweet home! B!
George, it seems good to be even her
with the real flag flying out in front
"The consul general will see yol
now, sir" said the clerk, reappearint
presently from behind the glass
mounted partition. The half-crowr
had been effective.
Deck followed the clerk toward 6
frosted glass door, which the young
man opened, and then announced:
"Mr. Decker Melton, Of New York
sir"
AS Deck entered the door was CLOSED
behind him.
The consul general ran a quicl
I'glance over his visitor. and then as
sumed a receptive expression. He was
tall, rather spare man, with an erect
military bearing, clad in the conven.
tional black frock coat Of officialdom
His face was dark and somewhat
scanned, but not unpleasant; his dark
hair had been slightly thinned by age
and he wore a dropping moustache
and small imperial, which further
strengthened the impression that he
had seen military service.
What can l do for you, sir?" he
said.
my name is Decker Melton" said
Deck, "and l live in New York when
I'm in Gods country"
There was the fain,est Indication OF
smile in the slight twitching of the
wrinkles at the corners Of the consul
generals eyes. He had muchs expert
ence with these fellow countrymen OF
his, who grew more aggressive In their
fondness for their country the longer
they stayed away from it; and, unof-
ficially, he heartily agreed with them
Shall / retire?" asked a deep voice
that gave a strong Hebraic twist to q
German accent.
Deck turned toward the speaker
who had half risen from his chair In
the corner. He was Of ponderous fig
ure, dressed, from the shining SILK
hat which he carried in his hand to
his yellow stitched patent feathers, In
garments that were just a trifie toe
striking for good taste. Across his
ample paunch stretched a heavy gold
watch chain, and in his ascot tie was
a diamond whose yellow tinge alone
prevented it from being almost price
less. HIS bald head shone with the
polish of time-seasoned ivory, and
above his bushy black burnsides, his
face showed the dull red of good liv-
ing. From beneath the dark eyes that
twinkled with shrewdness, a hooked
nose hung over a heavy black mus
tache.
Not on nay account" answered
Deck, carelessly. II haven't anything
to say that 1 want to keep dark,
though / can't say that I'm particular
ly proud of my song"
The man in the corner sank back in
his chair. Turning again to the con-
sui general, Deck went on.
Il suppose you hear all kinds of
hard luck stories here so I'll make
mine short"
The consul nodded appreciatively.
And l know" Deck continued, that
you can't do much to help us innocents
who come over here so wise that you
can't keep them from being skinned
by people who couldn't fool a police
man at home. So if I don't get any
thing from you but good advice I'll
be better off than 1 am now"
The consul general nodded more af-
fably this time. Here was an unusual
type; a man who appreciated official
limitations, and was reasonable in his
attitude and expectations.
I'll be glad, of course, Mr.. Melton
he said, pleasantly, ito be of any SER
vice to you that can"
"Of course, you've guessed by this
time that I'm broke, and want to get
back to the only country on earth
that's worth living in. And this Is
the way 1t happened.
Il came over here about three
months ago with plenty, and, as
didn't know how long I'd want to stay
| didn't fix myself for passage back;
just thought I'd wait till l got ready
and then buy a berth and pull out.
We'll. l went the rounds-Paris
Baden Baden, Monte Carlo and all that
sort of thing-and ! broke about even
Then I thought I'd try the game as Os-
tend. i take off my hat to the Os-
| tenders; they're too good for me!
When / came out of my trance, l had
just about enough left to take a quick
pike at London and the suburbs an6
get back to Broadway. So l came
here, and had my letter of credit turn
ed into handbills that pass for money
HeTS-tnHly-H pOuiiuS III uouSeis
slowed away in my vest pocket, and
five pounds in gold and silver fol
handy use in my trousers.
| Now. this is the part Of it that I'm
ashamed of. Last night l went to the
Hippodrome-alone, for l don't know
anybody here. There was full house
and coming out l got into an awfu
push. People kept humping up agains
me until they nearly bumped anC
squeezed the wind out of me; but l wa!
too wise to know the differ nce-tiH
got back to the hotel! Then | found
my thirty five pounds in black ant
white was missing. I'd been touched
I've got about twenty dollars left
which my hotel bill will cut to pieces
and I'm over three thousand mile!
from a place where I know how t
make a living"
Cant you write or cable to you
friends for funds?" asked the consu
general. I'VE could find a place wher
you could live very economically Will
you were waiting for a reply"
Il suppose l might but I'll be harde