Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1915-10-13

DOLLAR FOR vUN rRETZEL."
the lock long time before he finally
turned the key. and then he wheeled
fol- his pretzel-to see that it had dis
appeared
Mem Gottr. he groaned as his eyes
bulged and frightened snort whistled
from his nostrilS.
1t was the end for sure this time,
and he waited for the clammy hand to
come from the unknown and yank him
into eternity. But nothing happened.
The fat dog sighed contentedly and
lazily licked UP pretzel crumb from
the floor. but the popeyed, expectant
Fritz was dead to this piece Of damag-
ing evidence.
AS the minutes rolled on poor Fritz
fell to thinking again.
The night waned. With dawn Fritz
got up. He went into the shop and
looked around at the familiar tools,
the bench, the rows Of shoes to be re-
paired side by side with those neatly
finished and waiting for their owners.
lie sighed. Yesterday morning he had
been happy.
He decided to 60 and get beer at
Donovan's-thatf Is, he would II fate
did not interfere. He was prepared
for anything now.
1t was very early. One or two Ital-
ians on their way to work, with lunch
boxes and shovels, were drinking. The
bartender looked sleepy. but not half
SO hollow eyed as Fritz.
Beer" said Fritz.
~Ye look rocky. Dutch" commented
the bartender. MADE night Of it,"
'Nein," said Fritz.
Schneider took a little sip. Even
from beer the Joy had fed forever.
And when joy fees from beer for a
man like Fritz, what has he left?
.Dass ich so traurig bin" ran through
Fritz's mind.
Schneider felt something. He could
not tell at first what it was. But when
he saw out of the tail Of his eye the
dark stranger lean over the bar not ten
feet away, he knew what had settled
like thick. cold cloud over his soul.
1t was the same man. Schneider was
too scared to move. He knew that
the end was now at hand.
Hello. Mike!' said the bartender,
his face Frightening.
Hello yourself. We son Of gum!
returned the stranger. I'VE look like
mourner at tn wake av yer own
fun'ral."
"Quit yer kiddin," replied the other.
'Tf ye'd ben up all night. we wouldn't
be no better yerself."
"Ain't ben up all night, laughin.
cried the mustached instrument of fate
as he roared and beat the bar with his
fist. IL scared Dutchman in here
yist'dy till tn poor mutt turned the
color O. sauerkraut. Ye oughter seen.
i'm.
II comes in a feelin' peevish fer
wunst in me life, an here was that
Dutch shoemaker that stuffs himself
with pretzels and drinks beer fer the
whole ward.
HE was lappi6 'em up from bot
hans. Thinks I, I'll take me crouch
out on tn Dutchman. looks uglier'n
Donovan's prize bull pup an walks
up to i'm wit me jaw out.
".Ye've eat yer last pretzel,' SEE I.
An I'll vote thu straight Republican
ticket IL he didn't fall fer it. TIL poor
boob looked at me like he'd seen a
ghost. 1t was too good to spoil an
beats it out the door an hid arOun' tn
corner. He comes tearin' out in
minute. mutterin'. Den he goes back"
Fritz had listened. his mouth hang
ing AS the roar of the bartender's
laughter arose Fritz came to life with
bump. He set down his beer and
plunged both hands to the wrists in
the pretzel bowl. AS a pretzel crunched
between his teeth he took long drink.
1t tasted good again.