The Press., 1914-08-12
k shaded 0fI lamn.

ly shaded oil lamp
 On Tuesday night Fully was on the fourth reading of the same novel and had begun to weary. The fifth night he simply sat still with his chin in his palms and fought of strong desire to weep.
 During the daytime he walked far and wide. listening with extended ears for sound-any sound. The exercise tired him out. but sleep refused to come. He began to paw over the thought of hurling a hitching post through the meat shop window to see if anything in the way of audibility would result.
 'T'm going daffy.'' he made judg- ment when he found himself kicking an empty salmon can along deserted lane and gloating over the sounds it made.
 Far away each night-milliOns of miles in the distance-he could hear the faint whistle of the night freight train. It passed through East Waldo boro at in the morning. bound for Bath, Brunswick. Portland. Boston and New York.
 On sleepless nights his greatest, su- premest joy was to lean out of the broad VaeldOw under the oak trees. waiting for the faroff toot. It was at 2 o'clock Thursday morning that he sat motionless and considered nasty thought. For five minutes the details of the thought rushed about in his head.
 Then he began to remove his paja- mas with great speed. and. disregard ing all consequences. he turned up the oil lamp and hastily packed his dress ing case A new light shone in his eyes, and he was smiling gloriOusly. His head felt light. as ones head does after three glasses of champagne on an empty interior. He felt fine.
 Dear Mrs. Knight" he wrote on the sheet of paper. which he pinned on his pillow. my stay with you and your niece has done me universe of good. I am the healthiest man in the world. But am going away from you. thank ing you over and over for your kind ness and your thoughtful acts. l am going away because it is so quiet here that if I stay two more hours l will commit some desperate deed. haven't the courage to face you and tell you this, and. besides. the night freight train is coming. and 1 will be in the caboose or death will end it all"
 Mr. Fully let himself out of the Knight home on feet of velvet and aimed at the station. The night freight stopped there to turn switch. and when the caboose slowed down a strange young man. carrying suit case. climbed the steps and shook hands with the sleepy conductor.
 Fully sat up the entire trip to Port land and enjoyed himself beyond hu- man understanding. The chatter of the wheels over rail joints, the creaking. grooming of the brake beams and the scratching of the metal shoes were sweet sounds in his long famished ears.
 The yeIls out of the night from yard men and station agents assailed him like pleasant Opiate. The roar of passing trains threw him into an ec- stasy of delight. He decided that he would spend the remainder of life rid ing in a freight caboOse with a greasy brakeman.
 When he struck Broadway and Twen- ty-third street Fully was mass of goose flesh. and each member of the said goose flesh was unit of joy. He found his apartment and entered 1t se- renely.
 He drank a large glass of water, uH- fVo KFnkA bed and for the first time in two week@ he went to sleep-such sleep as dying victims of insomnia picture in their 1e- verish rawlings.
 He was awakened by large, greasy, blue overalled figure sitting on the enc of steel girder outside his window.
 The man was staring down at hE!ya. and envy written over hts grimy cOuntenance.
 In his hand he held machine gun attached to pneumatic hose. which he waved at the surprised Fully to en- phasiZe his remarks.
 You're some sleeper, young feller." the riveting man said amiably.
 Whats the matter with yOu?" Tu!Iy inquired, wondering at this steel en- throned ones proximity.
 Eve been rivetin' bolts into this gir- der for the last hour and watchin' you slumber l wish l could do that. mis- ter. envy you."
 "Oh. shut up and let me alone" Fully growled.
 He turned over. punched the pillow and returned to deep sleep at once.
 The man on the steel beam renewed his clamorous attack upon the metal support with fresh energy. shaking his head and wondering.