The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1912-09-01


he cheerfully. and put his pipe back
into his mouth.
Three nothing" sneered the Water
melon.
Jealousy" said Mike, putting his
hat on the back of his frowsy head
Jealousy maketh the tongue cruel and
the heart bitter. Me-" he spread forth
his fat dirty hands, me beauty is such
1t gives me no concern. / realize
youse cannot gid the lily"
The Watermelon drew himself up to
his full height, threw back his shoulders
and fastidiously adjusted his cuffs, with
their heavy gold links.
With every passing moment, more
beautiful" murmured Mike.
James snorted
WELL" asked the Watermelon, who
gets the prize?'
Me humble faculties" said Mike,
with one wary eye on James, me hum
bble faculties are incapable of rendering
true and accurate judgment in the pres
ent case where two such rare specimens
of manly beauty compete in my hon.
ored and deeply grateful presence"
The Watermelon laughed and ran his
hand over his smooth chin and hairless
checks with a gesture of gentle pride.
James said if ! could not get suit.
| would be counted down and out l.
and he drew himself up, Il do not have
to take advantage OF a mere techni-
cality. | scorn to win by default"
True nobility" said Mike, SIS in
them words"
"Aw, cut the gas!" growled James.
"Wbere'd ,o,- nat ,ba btoo,,,;ru S,,tf,, ~
Il win, do II" persisted the Water
melon.
Mikes the judge" returned James.
ously one-sided contest
In this competition, there are three
points TO decide" declared Mike, not
quite sure whom he feared the more,
James or the Watermelon. Beauty of
face. beauty of clothes, and beauty OF
soul The one who gets two points
out of the three wins"
The Watermelon nodded James
grunted.
Mike glanced thoughtfully from one
to the other and decided that danger
lay in either choice. Neither of you"
said he slowly and wisely, win. For
uneXcelled art in raiment. mo young
friend here might be said 10 be the
only competitor For rare physical
beauty and winning charm in looks.
unaided by mere externals, me friend
and fellow-citizen, James, gets the just
reward. and for pure, manly beauty of
the soul, truth which | always follow,
compelS me TO give the prize to me
humble self"
"Aw," growled James. this amt no
show. We will have another"
The Watermelon hitched up his
trousers and chose a clean seat on
fallen log When coat and trousers
legs were adjusted so as best TO keep
their faultless creases, he spoke with
the bored accents OF the weary scion
of great wealth.
I'm starting for motor tour with
some of me friends said he
Il" said Mike. have always felt for
you, as for dear and only SON"
"Gwan," said James, imperiouSly.
Where did you get the glad rags"
The Watermelon told them briefly
how nameless hobo a few short hours
before, he had become a famous young
fnancier, hobnobbing with generals and
milIionaires He chuckled as he told
il with the half-cynical amusement OF
the philosopher for the follies OF the
poor. seething, hurrying. struggling
crowd OF humanity. too busy in their
rush for gold and social position to see
their own Imaginable pitiful shamS and
affectations. Poverty clears the eye
sight as nothing else can, and the Water
melon had been poor so long and was
so indifferent TO his position that he
had lost none Of his clearness OF vision
in the strenuous endeavor of the others,
and he saw. unconsciously, but never
theless keenly, the dead level of human
nature, with its artificial hills of gold
and social position.
Me father. | believe. is a police
man." said he "Nle mother a wash
woma:l II l had a grandfather, no
one knows. I'm fortunate to have a
father and no questions asked, yet just
because | can write me check, as they
think. for a million and have it honored,
I'm my boy to the elite OF the land.
the best people Gosh. it's enough to
make an ass bray
1T is that" said Mike. For me,
only the intrinsic worth of the soul
Maybe there was a bit of change N
the pockets" he added as an after
thought.
Yes. there was quite bit He's
fresh at the game and carries a roll to
show off with" returned the Water
melon, pulling a roll of bills from his
pocket Mike edged bit nearer. "See
here, want you fellers to do something
for me"
For YOU" said Mike, 81 would give
me immortal soul"
Il want something more than that. !
Mike" said the Watermelon.
ME plug of baccy?" asked Mike
with feeling.
The Watermelon shook his head as
he slowly pulled a greenback from the
bunch he held Il want you two to go
to that lake. get my clothes out of the |
log and give 'em to the poor devil"
Don't be a fool" advised James. |
Hes all right. Nothing will happen
10 him"
Il know, but l keep thinking of him. |
He can afford to lose what he is going |
10 lose, but all the same, he's cold and
tired"
cav, don't go and do that" pleaded |
Me He'll have youse arrested"
81 amt going to be around here; be-
sides, no one would think of looking |
Tor me with the swell bunch I'm going
with
Maybe not" admitted James grave