Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-05-16
CHAPTER NII-tContinued)


i the open air with a certain sense OF
not knowing whether to go forward or
back There was no case against MN :
there was no Policeman Sronsburgcr
for him to proceed against Yet instead
of simplifying his course these two dis
concerting facts made it more complex
and they. together with light CLEANED
from his talk with the magistrate, sharp
ened his growing conviction that some
thing was radically wrong with govern
ment in Philadelphia.
The idea Of n man of that type in a
magistrates chair" he reflected.
There followed also inevitable rehec-
tons in regard TO Mr. Buckingham Had
he really interviewed? And had he the
political right to intervene? Or was 1t
merely that the organization feared 10
offend him because he was IA man OF
power? Did Mr., Buckingham control the
machine therefore, or did he merely
browbeat il, as he had been known. to
browbeat men and institutions OF other
sorts?
Still debating questions like this, a
certain il-defined curiosity led Jerry
footsteps toward the store OF Moritz
Rosenscweig. 1t was open for business.
and to Jerry's surprise the fruit was on
the sidewalk almost 10 the gutter More.
disappeared. Flies crawled over the
fruit, except as disturbed by most oc-
casional whisk of feather duster In the
hands of Moritz-dust blew into II ana q
policeman. club In hand, swung by. and
beyond helping himself to one OF Roseh-
scweig's pears paid never bit OF atten-
ton to these reckless violations OF the
law.
There was strip of white bandage
around the head of Moritz, and he be-
slowed at first only casual appralslns
.,Vl,Aa "a ttp
s'killful surgery had reduced to plasters'
which a large fedora tolerably well con-
cealed; but the glance OF the little NOR
chant was prolonged as If It had dls-
cerned something familiar in the fea,
lures. Recognition came suddenly and
with a great outburst of volubility.
"Ah, Mister--My friend My friend :.
he excla imed, seizing Jerry's hand and
squeezing il between both of his own
clammy members Rachel Rachel !!
Hurry up, Here is the gentleman what
soaked Strongburger for, me, You bring
me good luck, my friend you bring me
good luck. Day before yesterday comes
Strongburger that he should apologize.
They want l should put my boxes on the
sidewalk now and my store store 9 sh9u,u ae DE
wiggle my fingers at the policeman now.
because you are Mr., Archer
--Not?"
"Yes, | am Mr.. Archer" admitted
Jerry smiling aud embarrassed by the
effusiveness OF his welcome.
All tlre while, too. RosenscNelg was
dragging his distinguished visitor IN
side the store and toward the door AZ
the back. II was through this tina.
Rachel at length appeared and. recog-
nzing Jerry also. collaoorated wi ner
husband In herding him into little
parlor where the embarrassed 'oung
man was made to sit down In N"ae
plush chair. slightly rickety, but mtklns
up In the brilliance of its coloring "hH'
II lacked in solidlty of construction.
Soon two little Rosenscweigs, counten-
ences somewhat soiled. were crawling
over him and investigating his pockets
rs IT, IN his role of family benetactor'
which their small keen brains were
quickly made to comprehend, he might
he Il sort Of perambula ting Santa tlaus
whose garments would yield sweets or
toys. Disappointed In their quest and
sensing, as childhood always does sense.
that their attentions embarrassed. they
became shy and retired to their mothers
chair from the back of which they
hung while she Nolleyed her gratitude,
her joys. her relief and her protestn =
tjons Of undying friendship. All this
time Jerry could feel the occasions,
nreseuce of Moritz somewhere behind
him and knew that he stood at the door
Looking in and listening or interfering
additional sentiments OF his own, tN-
cent as possible customers or poachlng
street arab drew MS atteht'oh 10 tie
"Rut--but YOU know" insisted Jerry
dutifully that the city ordinances
should be obeyed. Everybody should be
made to cover up their fruit. 1t isn't
sanitary-not healthy. you know. And
the sidewalks should he clear Think
hnw much cleaner and nicer your streets
,ouId look how much easier TO get by
"n them. N only the business was done
a., ,bc stores where II belongs. And, OF
nnurse no one should sell goods on
sunday: sunday is the--the Christian
sabbath. a. ho,, ,h, In,
" dey stand in NIT de boss pinsd Nor, ,,
rarsv already, only dies here Mayor
smith he turned In for Deutsch. aud
Seu de police come down on me TO turn
In. too. But I should turn my back on
Jimmie Carey. him what got me out
thev ,ull us Tor gambling For me. you
could bs sure I wasn't playin' thing
eiss but checks, only once put dime
On the red and then two dimes on the
biack-just TO see II system ] thought
out would work. And it would work
me thlrty-six times two dimes. which
4. $3.50. the cops-dey pulled the place
For evidence dey took the s720. but dey
never mentioned 1t at tall and belief
me, dey never gave Il back to
bell rang mysteriously from be-
hind door somewhere close 20 Jerry's
ieft SHOULDER. Rachel arose and went
10 answer Il. but Jerry had 10 rise &c
let the door swing. and In doing %
noticed that 1t opened into q room ap.
2e!sntly next doSr c,,s 20 u the fruit store re,
roo% sS1 sSos, xss n.sss ons " *. n t.Siss :ssu
~ n the steyedore Or navyls
n@& 1c'43 th1 tHhl1