The San Francisco call., 1913-11-05

er's burial he had been half demented.
His curt, disconnected answers had
lost him two places as an errand boy
which he could easily have secured.
His small stock of money ridiculous
ly depleted by the open hints Of the
undertaker's assistants, barely suf-
feed to keep him in food for a week.
Then he sought employment. but with
such stiff upper lip and naughty in
difference to success that he unknow-
ingly turned those against him who
would have assisted him.
For two days he was chosen to act
as van boy for a parcel delivery firm.
He earned a few meals, but in a fit of
alteration induced by the sight of a
lady who was dressed in a costume
similar to one he remembered his
mother wearing at Dieppe. he allowed
ham to be stolen from the rear of
the van. This procured his instant
dismissal. with threats. Then he sold
newspapers. only to find that every
good site was jealousy guarded by a
gang of roughs who mercilessly bull
lied any newcomer Personal strength
and courage were unavailing against
sheer numbers His face was still
swollen and his ribs sore as the re-
suit of being knocked down and
kicked at Ludgate circus; at Charing
Cross next day he was hustled un-
der the wheels of an omnibus and
narrowly escaped death. So he was
driven into the side streets and the
quiet squares, in which, during three
or four days, he managed TO earn
an average of eightpence daily, which
he spent on food.
Each night he crept back to the
poor tenement in Johnson's News, his
bleak home amidst the solitude of
empty stables and warehouses. The
keeper OF coffee stall, touched one
night by his woebegone appearance,
gave him some half dried coffee
grounds in a paper. together with
handful of crusts.
put 'arf that in pint of water,
he said, looking critically at the sod
dened mess of coffee, AN when it
comes TO a bile let ii settle It'll sur
prise you to find 'ow grateful an
comfortin' it tastes on a cold night
AS for the crusts, IL you bake EN-
over the fire they're just as good as
the rusks you buy in tins
This good Samaritan had repeated
his gift on two occasions. and Philip
had a fairly large supply of small
coal sent to his mother by the col
liery company, so his position, des-
perate enough. was just bearable had
he Dul SOQkDl To dtCAASlVl4i sHAAAStAA W
the new conditions of life. There was
a chance that his wild broodings
would have yielded to the necessity
to earn a living, and that when next
situation was offered to him he
would keep it, but the occurrences Of
this stormy night had utterly shaken
him for the hour. He was on the
verge of lunacy.
AS he passed through the dark
archway leading to his abode the
desolate stable yard was ftfu1ly lit
by lightning. and in the distance he
heard the faint rumble of thunder.
The elemental strife was beginning
again. This was the second and more
disastrous outbreak OF the evening of
March 10.
Although wet to the skin he was
warm now on account of his long and
rapid walk. When he unlocked the
door another flash of lightning re-
vealed the dismal interior. He closed
and locked the door behind him. On
the mante1piece were a farthing can
die and some matches He groped for
them and soon had light On other
occasions his next task was to light
a fire. BY sheer force of habit he
gathered together some sticks and bits