Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-04-17
E. PHILIPS OPPENEiEIM
(copyrisAt, 1912. By Little. Brown Z Coz

chap in, the corner is a barber, got a
small shop Of his own now. I go there
sometimes for a shave. He lived on
thirteen shillings a week for six years,
while he saved the money to start Tor
himself. It was touch and go with him
afterward. In three months he'd nearly
lost the lot He'd married little wife
who stood behind the counter and had
worked almost as hard as he, but some.
how or other the customers wouldn't
come. Then she had q baby, was laid up
for time, he had to engage some one
to take her place. and at that time he had
about fifteen shillings left in the world
I used to be shaved there every day then.
I knew all about it. l used to hear him,
when he thought no one was listening,
go and call cheerful word up the stairs
Shop full of customers! Sold another
bottle OF hair restOrer! or something OF
that sort. Then some one lent him a
fiver. and, by Jove he turned the corner!
He's doing well now. That's his wife
the plump little woman who's straighten-
ing his tie. They come here every We'd
nesday night and they can afford 1t. Yet
he was up against it badly once. Julien.
He's q communicating little beast, isn't
he. but he's got stout heart"
II think" Julien said, that I could
guess the name Of the man who lent him
You'd be a mug II you couldn't, /"
Hendricks retorted. "It's doing that sort
Of thing that helps you to smile some
times when the knocks come. tell Jbu.
Julien. some Of the people-these small
shobkeepers. especially-do have the devil
out q sss nsF Of eesy
them. They don't know anything about
that big west-end world. with pleasures
tuned up to the latest pitch. where you do
even your work with every luxury at
hand to make It. easy. There's = little
sitting by the side Of the old man with
the gray beard. That mans his father.
They both landed over here with scarcely
Q copper. The young fellow worked like
he was getting, and he kept the old man
on 1t. Then he lost his job, couldn't get
another. The old man had to go to the
workhouse: the young man slept on the
Embankment, ate free soup, picked up
sesaps ,, nye S, on the garbage heap Of lie;
another job. improved It, saved few
shillines, drove up In q cab and took the
old man out. Look at them now. He's
got little tailor's- shop not hundred
yards from here. and somehow or other
one or two people on the stage-they're a
good-hearted lot-have taken him up. He
gets lots OF work and brings the old man
here now and then for q treat. How are
you, Pietroy' he called across the room.
when are you going to send me that
coat along?"
The young man. grinned.
TOO many orders to make you that
coat. SIR" he declared.
Hendricks smiled.
Mo one can deny that I need a new
coat" he said. 81 told Pfetro when things
were slack that he could make me one,
but he gets lots OF orders now. See the
little girl In the corner? She's going out
mo. she's going to stay here; they've
found her room at that table. suppose
YOU'D turn Your noaa I'D Mt her because
she has q lot too much powder on her
cheeks. recognized the man. I'll tell you
who the girl IL. She's q manicurist at
the Milan
Julien looked around and watched them
for q moment curiously. Again he no
ticed that his interest in the young man
was at least reciprocated.
The fellow has recognized me, Of
course" he said. "You know, Hendricks.
remember two or three years ago q
most amazing item Of news was brought
to uD-One that made q real difference,
f00-f6Fough n 0a1nfCUriat"