The Washington herald., 1913-11-02

helping put the bait on the hook
The two figures at the distant table
leaned back Something was settled.
The elder man brought forth a packet
Of papers folded Iengthwise.
''McCosh was right" said Brian. you
can make the man from Keokuk do
stunts in " York he's never dreant Of
in his home town"
Maybe it's not so bad as you Think
suggested Brian.
Didn't you see the orange-colored en-.
cravings in the paper? That's Good
fellow and Surprise bunk he's selling the
hick-and look! Rube's pulIin' his check
bookr'
Sure enough, the lamb was already
reaching for McCosh's fountain-peu.
There was a moment of intense scrib-
bling, during which McCosh bit a black
cigar and forgot to light it. Finally a
pink leaf from the check-book guttered
in his palm. and he handled it like a
rare orchid. An instant later McCosh
was seen to rise rather feverishIy, but
ton his coat over the new-made check,
extend a loving hand to his victim, and
stride forth into the unknown. Brian
jumped from his chair.
You're not going to"
You bet am! AS a stranger IN town,
amt a-goin' to sit here and see my
helpless brother skun bright red on
Broadway"
The young man sat reading an orange
printed sheet of GoodfeIlow and Sur
prise rapturously, even as the Moslem
scans the Koran, when Brian accosted
him.
Excuse me"' said the Little Booster.
II don't know what part of the woolly
West you come from, but you'll take
back less wool than you brought with
you.''
Meaning" inquired the youth, ad.
justing his eyeglasses
do you know who that bunk is you
just"
That bunk as you roughly term
him." said the young man in a modu-
lated barytone, lis Mr.. Hotchkiss, well
known in Goodfellow and
His name was McCosh when / met
him. Now, listen to mother. There amt
any time to feed the chickens. I'm tell
ing you. You Just fallen for a man
who's a professional walnut-pusher, a
card-handler, a life nem=
Der of the Gold Brick Layers Union
in plain California, a bunko man. Be
cause you left your brains the other side
of the Ohio River, III wise you. You've
been biIked, trimmed"
But he came to New York with tbs
highest Of references"
Splash! I've a good mind to touch
you for a thousand myself. How much
was in that check you just signed?"
"Forty-fiYe hundred and fifty.
Get your bank the first thing in thu
morning and stop IT"
Lord" groaned the csIlow one. TIA
on the Night and Day Bank!''
''Telephone-hot foot, kidr'
The sedate griIl-room was enliVened by
the sight of a red-headed enthusiast
chairs toward the telephone-booth. \
few minutes later Betsy. to her relief,
beheld her husband returning calmly
with the new-found hick
Nov, Marcus" Brian was saying,
we've got to kite it over to the Night
and Day and identify you. Friend wife
and I'll tag along to see that the rest
of your wad don't jump out of the VIM
dow"
The hick had a taxi-waiting by ths
hour apparently outside. As they
bumped over New YorK's asphalt, which,
like her skyline. is picturesque but IN
even. Betsy tried to soothe the stranger
with commonplaces-
Doesn't it seem grand in New York
after the country" she asked.
1T does" said the hick folornly.
When he emerged from the sleepless
portals of the Night and Day, there
were tears in his pale orbs, suggestive
Of seafood.
They've fixed it-but it hurts me To
think I've been betrayed by friend"
he sobbed-
That's what they all say" chirped
Brian. brightly. Now, Mrs. Bride and
I'll escort you past the bogies to your
hotel.
Now look you, son." Brian went on.
for he must have his lecture. He put
his hand patronizingly now on the hicks
knee. Il just got to hand it out Take
il or leave it. When in Rome you gotta
do as the Romeos do. Don't talk to
large men with fancy vests Maybe
you'll thank me for this when you get
OaCk 10 the nome IOhn-
TITS not my fault It's the way the
old man raises me-" the callow one
moaned. Never letting me go into
business, like other fellows"
'Say.'' Brian had an inspiration. IF
you ever want a wise guy to take you
around N York. ring me up. I'm at
the st. Sidon. Stick around, kid, and
I'll show you all the new stun"
Thanks, awfuIly," said the hick.
The taxi stopped before brick house
with a white door.
You've pulled me-out of an awful
hole, old man." he continued, as he
stepped out I'D like to see more OF
you. Here's my card
The hicks face stared into the taxi
door, pale and anxious. Brian, as he
accepted the card. felt a thrfN OF re-
morse. Perhaps he. had been "a bit
rough in this language to this outsider.
who, after all. would learn his New
York in time. Under the fiickeying cor
ner light Brian held the card. spelling
each letter carefully. Already the hick
was disappearing up the front steps.
"Sayi' said Brian. calling after him.
and again looking at the name on the
card. ~ got letter Of introduction to
you"
And as the hIck returned. the Little
Booster brought forth o'Malley's enve-
Iope addressed TO Mr.. Dyckman wyn-
koop. 1s1s Washington Square.
Il thought I might as wen hand Il 10
you now, seein' Tln around ysur way"