The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1916-02-17
Damon and Pythias
How Two Old Bum. Worked
q Crowd.
By M. QUAD
Copyright. lslS. by Mcclure News
paper Syndicate.

ii paper 6yuOIC8Ie.
Just after breakfast the other morn.
ing an old bum made his way from the
street to an empty bench in one Of the
city parks. He wasn't q tramp. he
wasn't a vas. He wasn't . hobo.
There was no name to at him except
bum"
Soon a younger bum came sneakinR
across the park and sat down on the
other end Of the bench. He also gazed
into vacancy. He also heaved deep
sigh. They had not even looked at
each other when the old bum num-
bled:
did you git anything?'
mot red. was giving the old gent
q fine song and dance about my dying
wife when a cop appeared and shook
me till my teeth ratified"
'"There's an old gent coming this
way" said the big bum. He looks like
an Uncle Rube walking out to see the
sights Of the city. Let's work the old
gag on him."
Whereupon the big bum whirled half
around so as to stretch out on his back
and lay his head in the lap Of the
younger one and close his eyes.
Yes, Uncle Rube had come to town
the day before. He had put up at q
hotel near the park and was out at an
early hour to see II the town had grown
any since his last visit Of twenty years
ago. As his walk brought him near the
buns his curiosity was excited. Here
was case that demanded investiga-
ton, and Uncle Rube advanced and
called out:
"Say, now. but what's the matter
here?"
"Sick," was the answer.
"Sick, Ell? What kind of sickness?'
"Weak heart. 1t allus goes back on
him when he's been without food for
three or four days"
Good Lord! But you don't tell me-
that's the case now?"
Damon, how long is it since you
had a meal?" tenderly asked the little
bum as he bent over the head on his
! knees.
"Mebbe week." was the faint reply.
II can't believe It," said Uncle Rube
Nothing to eat for week right here
In this big town, where they throw
away enough every day to feed hun
dred hogs. What's his name!"
Ellis name is Damon and mine is
Pythias. We are comrades. You've
read about Damon and Pythias of cid
haven't you?"
II guess have" replied Uncle Rube
with doubtful look, "but I've forgot
ten. But what are We going to d.
about this case?"
"YOu are good man." said Pythias
'but you have come too late. Damon
he has come too late, hasn't he?"
II think he has. Pythias, but mebb
there is just one chance yet. II coul,
sit down to a full meal once more
think my life could be saved; other
wise there is no hope for me-"
"Does he think that food will saw
him?" anxiously asked Uncle Rube.
At this moment half dozen mel
crossing the park stopped to inquire
what had happened, and Pythias an
swered their questions by saying:
Poor DamOn's heart has given OH
on him ut last"
"NeighbOrs, the case is this" added
Uncle RUDE. with flourish of his arm
'This here dying man has been with
out food in your midst for hulfsweek
while you have been trotting around
with loaded stomachs."
More men came up until the crowd
numbered thirty or forty. Most OF
them took a look at Damon. whose
hands were clinched and eyeballs turn
ed up. and then smiled at each other
1t was an old gag, and many Of them
had seen 1t worked before.
Uncle Rube took a dollar bill from
his pocket and dropped it in his hat
and passed the hat around among the
crowd, saying:
III ever met with worthy cause
this is the one Of all. should be
ashamed to go home and face Hannah
IL that man died on the bench with me
looking on. You look like men with
hearts. Come down"
There wasn't man in that crowd of
fifty who didn't believe he was being
gulled, but they were a good naturell
lot, and almost every one contributed
from dime to quarter. The change
was wrapped in the bill and the whole
! handed over to Pythias, who said:
Gentlemen, you have done merci.
full act. and 1 thank you, and Damon
thanks you. And you thank these gen
tlemen. don't you, Damon!"
81 do"
"And you will never forget this no.
BILE hearted old man who has spoken
SO we'll Of us?'
"Never. Pythias. never!'
"And you have resolved to live on.
Damon:"
II havew
do you hear that, gentlemen" said
Uncle Rube as smile came to his
face and the moisture to his eyes.
''They are both going to live ON and
lead nobler and purer lives. feel like
giving three cheers!
But before he could give them Pyth.
las stood up and interrupted with:
"And 1t only remains. gentlemen-it
only remains to-