Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1916-03-30
The Answer
From Life
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The dim lights of the old pawn
brokers' shop flickered violently as
the street door opened, letting in a
gust of icy wind. The man who came
with the wind closed the door with
difficulty, approached to the low desk,
took off his thin coat, shook the sleet
from it and laid it on the counter.
"As much as We can," he said crisp.
ly. "Tis me last!'
The broker measured the garment
with careless glance and tossed fiji
ty cents on the counter.
Come wanst moe, NE friend! IT'S
not enough for the Elegant coat"
Pathos did not appeal often to the
old dealer, but this time it did. A vi.
bration in the voice exactly fitted
the mystery of something buried deep
In the subconsciousness. He question
e6 the other wiz swift glance, hes;-
tated, and by the coin laid another like
1t. The man nodded.
"Tis little enough, but twill do"
I'VE have known aiche ither more'n
bit. Ye know I'm not tn drunkard
nor tn loafer. / know we aire a har-rd
: man-ye have to be in this trade
har-rd but square. l am off for good
and all; tits for the sake of the gyrul
and the little man. She'll not go home
| till lave er! Sind tn money and the
line to the place it spells; twill pay
ter way home-they'll take her, witt.
out me; they have said it. Will We do
| it?"
"Yes!" he said at length.
They waited and then shook hands
for no reason, after the fashion OF
men.
what have you been doing of late!'
voice broke in that was clear cut,
sharp and almost offens,vely authy .
itative. 1t came from third man
stcnding near, unnoticed. The coat
less stranger regarded him steadily,
his face hardening. He saw a shori,
rotund figure, almost swallowed up in
a fur coat now thrown open, heavy
chain across the prominent paunch, IN
enormous diamond above, prom.
nent curved nose and sweeping black
mustache. An elbow on the counter
supported jeweled hand that poised
t. fat black cigar with an ash half an
inch long.
The eyes of the two men met, Celt
and Hebrew. A moment of strained
silence and something passed. What
Eternity's messages travel many cha l.
nels. The lrishman's resentment fad
ed; his lips framed slow, sardonic
grin
Me? Sure, l been searchin' for the
Christ! Do ye mind that ye saw Hin
along the way ye came?"
NO" said the other simply. "He
ooes no. live in New York! You spoke
of going for good. Where--without Il
ooat-by the bridge route?"
"An is't your business?" The Irish
blood flared.
Perhaps" replied the Hebrew, cool
ly Ticking the ash. And then:
'Wouldn'4 you lther put it off ant
take a job?"
IF you would, come to my place
?ne Star Pool and Billiard Palace
four blocks above the bridge, and III
start you at twelve and a half weelI
One of my men skipped with forts
collars worth of billiard balls yester
day am looking for them now. Ycl
can have his job. A man who WI
pawn his coat a night like this for hi
wife and baby and don't get dru.l
won't steal Billiard balls. It's bust
ness proposition"
He drew from his pocket fat rol
OF bills and peeled off a five.
"Take this on account" he con
cluded studiously avoiding the other,
gaze. 1T will loosen up things a
home until tomorrow. Here, take you
coat along!"
From the door the Irishman rushe,
back, seized the garment. eXtcnde,
his hand but suddenly withdrew it.
mot now, sor," he stammere,
hrokenly. Sure j can't say it! IL
say it livery day l work for ye."
Good! YOU'VE all right! Now hus
tie my boy"
The woman in the room sat prom
on the floor, her thin shawl shelter
ing herself and wailing infant. Not al
article of furniture remained, not ey
en- her little charcoal burner-it ha'
been the last TO go. The firm. quicl
footsteps in the hallway carried
message that brought her face up an,
drew her eager gaze to the door. TIL