The San Francisco call., 1913-11-17
Copyright. 1904. eF
Continued From Saturday

The human eddy in that throbbing
center of life was sending off its
swirls TO all points OF the compass,
and the eastbound vehicles were
boarded by an eager crowd almost
before the passengers arriving al the
terminus could descend.
A poor woman. greatly hampered
by a baby, was struggling with others
to obtain seat in the Mile End road
bus. Philip coming late on the scene
saw her swept ruthlessly aside by a
number of men and boys. The con-
ductor Jerked the bell rope several
times There was no more room.
The woman. white faced and disap-
pointed. looked around with woebe-
gone expression. Philip, who would
have gladly paid for a cab to take
her to her destina tion. dared do moth
ing of the sort. But he said:
Keep close to me. I will get you
q seat in the next bus.
"Oh. I wish you would" she said.
with a wan smile. II am so tired. 1
have walked here from Shepherds
Bush.
That's a long way to carry a
baby"
What could I do2 People won't
take care of children without pay
ment. I heard I could get work in a
laundry there. so I went to look after
it. There's nothing TO be had down
our way. is there?"
Things turn UP suddenly" said
Philip.
you know that without my telling
you. But you are young. and will
soon be a man."
a SAD TALE
Her wistful tone went to his heart.
Didn't you succeed at the laun-
dry?' he inquired
Yes: I ought TO be thankful I can
earn nine shillings a week there. 1
start on Monday
isn't your husband at work.
He is dead. Poor fellow, he caught
cold last Christmas and was buried in
January. God only knows how 1 have
lived since. If it wasn't for the kind
ness of neighbors, baby and I would
have starved. l can i'll afford this
tuppence, but I can't walk any tar
ther"
well, look out now he said.
cheerily Here's our bus
AS the vehicle drew up he caught
the brass rail with his left hand and
warded off assailants with the bundle
under his right arm.
Quick" he said to the woman. as
soon as the people inside had de-
scended. Jump in"
She essayed to do so. but was rudely
thrust aside by young man who
had paused on the roof to light
cigarette Philip sprang on to the
step and butted the young gentleman
in the stomach with his parcel, caus-
ing the other to sit down heavily on
the stairs. The boy caught the
woman's arm with his disengaged
hand and pulled her UP. He dfved in
after her.
you Young roared the discom-
flied smoker.
Ere Come OFF of it," said the
conductor. why didn't yet git dahn
before2 Dye want a lift?"
Others hustled the protesting one
out of the way.
"Confound the east end, I say" he
growled, as he crossed TO the Mansion
house. What the deuce Lady Louisa
Morland wants 10 keep on sending me
to that wretched news for l can't
imagine. Anyway, ! can tell her this
time that the place is empty and will
be pulled down next week.
And thus it was that Philip collided
with Messrs. Sharpe & Smiths clerk,
detailed by the anxious Lady Morland
to discover his whereabouts. They
met and bumped into each other in the
whirlpool Of London just as two ships
might crash together by night in mid
Atlantic and draw apart with ruff1ed
feelings or scraped paint, which is
the same thing. without the slightest
knowledge of each others identity.
Within the omnibus the woman was
volubly grateful. She had a kindly
heart. and timidly essayed questions
as to Philips relatives. hoping that
she might make their acquaintance.
IN be bound now" she said, that
you have a good mother. You can al
ways tell what the parents are like
when you see the children
MY mother was, indeed. dear to
me-" he replied sadly, again driven
out Of himself by the mournful recol-
lections thus suddenly induced, but
she is dead, lost to me forever"
Some people In the bus ceased talk
ing They were attracted by the strong
clear voice OF this unkempt boy, whose
diction and choice of words were so
outrageously opposed to his garments
his new friends sympathy might have
brought about an embarrassing posi-
tion.
Poor thingl And is your father
dead, too2'
Yes He died long ago.
where do you live now"
"Oh,' he said, II have been staying
in North London, but will leave there
soon, and I have not settled anything
definitely at present. Where is the
laundry you spoke Of? I Will call some
day. if I may, and learn how you are
getting on"
4 will be so pleased 1T is a little
place in James street.-the only one
there Ask for Mrs. Wrigley."
"It is lucky you understand laundry
work, or things might go hard with
you"
She laughed pftifully.
L don't! They asked me If was a
washer or an ironer. / thought wash
ing required least experience. so
said I wash a washer. | am quick to
learn, and will watch the other