Evening star., 1914-03-15

ANYWAY, here am, dom the Strap-SW1ngn act pa
tent, without maxim any mad dash for seat at sta
tions, but hangin on and watchin the crowds shift
of curious. You might WELL you know; for if
you do get chance to camp down durln the rush
hours, along fat lady and stands putin in
front of you thin, tired looln who glares at
you the top of your paper But you standee
yourself you feel free look any of en in the eye
And say, amt glurn, peev1sh, sour look1n lot,
here in New York? You'd most think that shown' any
signs of good nature vioatin city ordinance, and
that all dispositions had been treated with acetc
acid Why by the suspicious looks give the stranger
who rubs elbows with US. you might suppose popu
lation ninety per cent. escaped criminals.
As the idea struck me may have loosened my mouth
corners little, may not. Anyway, pulls into
72d-st. and the wild scramble to catch packed
press begins finds myself gain absentinded at this
slim, shoudered gent in the Next thing
know he's smlin' friendly and pointin' to vacant
seat alongside.
First off of course thinks he must be someone I've
met casual and forgot; but slides in beside him and
gets closer view know that he's of the ninety
odd millions of unfortunates who, to date amt had
the benefit of my acquaintance In other words, he's
one of the common suspects, an utter stranger.
Course, far as his looks CO. he might be perfect
gent He's dressed and plain except for the brown
spats; but you a spat wearer only
and then you're bound to guess they amt just right
somewhere. The sallow-complected face with the
prominent cheekbones don't count much against
him. Them points common. What caught me,
a twinkle in 'em. Always does l know like the
wideset, starry kind that go with open-facei smile
and loud haw-haw; but for the quiet chuckle and
the twinkn' eye! Still, he hadn't proved yet that he
want pckpocket a wife beater; so just mods
committal over my shoulder and my usual
aristocratic reserve
HOW does it happen says he. "that you aren't on
- your way to the funeral too?'
&Eh?r saws l. little Jared at this odd openin
sS,I, fo,,
rowse Look at them!" he goes on, wavin his hand at
the carful.
ooh, get you," says I. 4Not cheerful they
might be- are they?'
aBut is it necessary for all be so selfshly sad
says he $50 gloomily stern? True, we have each
troubles, little some big; but why them al
ways faces? Why inflct them on others? Why
not, when we can. the brave, kindly smile?'
3Just the way it struck me minute ago. says /.
"Did it?' says he, beamn'. @Then claim you for
our clan
@Your which," says I.
aOur brotherhood, says he.
4Cant be very exclusive, says l. 4if I've qualified
easy. Any par.ic1ar passwords grip to it''
4We rehearsed the whole ritual before you sat down.
says he. @The friendly glance. that's all. And now
WELL prefer to be called Alvin"
@So-o-o?" says sort of distant. But I'd no more'n
got it out than felt mean What if he was man,
worse? ought to be able to take of myself. So
goes on, 3McCabe's my name; but among friends I'm
centrally known as Shorty.
@The best of credentials" says he. @Then hail,
Shorty and welcome to the Free Brotherhood of Ego
Tamers!"
1 shakes my head puzzled. aNow I've lost YOU"
says l. 3If it's comedy line shoot it
@Ah but it's only tragedy says Alvin 3the original
tragedy of man. See how its blight rests on these
around US! Simply overstimulation of the ego; our
souls in the straitacket of SELF freedom of thought
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