The Press., 1918-03-07
New Start
  By Evelyn SanbOrn Mayo


 ''Ive turned honest, ma'am, and you've given me big boost on the way to decent life by fitting me out so finely"
 ''I trust so, I believe so," responded Mrs. Morley. 'FYou have a good face and I should feel very sad if thought you would think of selling those clothes for drink"
 'Tm through with the red stuff, ma'am, believe me. I'll be only too glad to feel dressed like a real man, as I once was. I'll do myself proud and straight as die, to show that I appreciate your kindness"
 With the words, Ben Dorkins went on his way, carrying a neat parcel un-. der his arm. It contained suit of clothes. a hat shoes, in fact, com. plete outfit. Ben had come to the lit; tie Morley home about noon, asking for food, a dOwn-at-the-heel tramp. He had offered to work for meal and had done so, tidying up the back yard and carrying some ashes to the all ley, behind the house.
 ] Mrs. Morley gave Ben DorlSins not only a good meal, but half dollar. Then, noticing his uncouth attire, a; sudden impulse swayed her generous spirit.
 "Wait," she said, T just thought of suit of clothes my husband discard-i ed only two days ago. He is just about you. size. Would you like. them? They are not much worn, but: my husband has new suit of the same goods"
 "Oh, ma'am! that's too much to: think of giving an old ragbag like me-" but as Mrs. Morley after a bE1ef absence Peappeared with the outfit en- tire, Ben's eyes gIeamed with pleas ure. +9
 "You can step into the next room, If you like, and put them on," suggest ed Mrs. Morley, but Ben shook his head vigorously.
 "Not l." he dissented strenuodsIy. ''Tm bound back for the city and work, which those fine rags will help me get. I'll stop at your barber shop here and get a shave and a hair cut. Then it's me for that pretty river running ont side of the village. If you'll put in a piece of soap, please, I'll make my first bath for month famous one."
 ''I'1l do that" assented Mrs. Morley, "and there's some collars and couple of neckties. Be good, won't you, new?Y she finished persuasively.
 "TH respect my word, ma'am. You've set me on my pegs right and I'll keep right" pledged Ben DOrlzlns. .,se,
 He went on his way rejoicing. He got the shave and haircut, he reached a secluded part of the river course outside of the town, where he was free to disport in the water unseen by oth- CTS and undisturbed3
 'I feel new all over!' iubiIated he, as he drew himself erect with pride and satisfaction and kicked his dis carded rags into the river. "Now for a ffteen-mile tramp and something better than carrying in coal or beg ging my grub" -.-
 The renovation inspired Ben with distinctly new and worthy aspirations. He more than once glanced down at the trim-fltting suit. He began to practice the erect and manly swing, abandoned into careless slOughing when he fell from the good-breeding manners of former days. It was after dark when Ben reached Faneville, half the compass of his trip. citywardH.
 He had fifteen cents left of the half dollar Mrs. Morley had given him and he invested ten of it in n cup of cof- ho down the street, entered hotel and sat down fin an arm chair in it's lobby.
 It was a truly agreeable situation to have the cntree to responsibility once more, for no Iynx-eyed porter or off, ciOus desk clerk resented his pres ence. The suit was conspicuous, but tasteful, not loud, but 1t had a cer- tain independent identity. It had orig finally cost over forty dollars, so its present wearer passed muster as to personal appearance. ex.
 Coincidence or fate, Hal Morley had left that very hotel as Ben entered it. Morley had come to Fanevllle for his bank Nt his home town, where he was employed. His mission was to meet g ! wealthy old Invalid against whom the bank had disputed claim of nearly ten thousand dollars. Morley had seen Mir. John Archer about the middle ! of the afternoon and had gone oyer the business he had been commissioned ! to transact. NIT. Archer was in charge ! of a male nurse and after he and l Morley had agreed upon compromise, | directed him to oacome to. the hotel at l eight o'clock that evening, when he l would adjust the matter finally.
 At about half-past seven Morley en- tered the hotel, saw that he was too I early and decided to take brief stroll \ to put in the time. Ben paFkIns, luxuFtating in the eapaoiOus aFm chair, had been seated less thap dye I minutes when young man came down 1 the stairs, seemed to recognize him at a glance and handed him f1aRfEIa envelope. @ 5,.a f@I
 'SMr. Archer has Lad one of his had ! spells,'' said the newcomer. "He told 1 me to hand you this and have the bank send back the notes. can't de- lay, sir. Mir. Archer may be taken worse at any mOI lent," and away sped the speaker, leaving Ben in a half i supplied condition.
 Here's queer ga," soliloqnized Ben. "Oh, myw He had removed the band securing the envelope, He stared and thrilled as he noted Its cen tents-bank notes. One of them, he noticed, was of one thousand dollars For a flashing instant Ben realized that he had been taken for some one else and entrusted with ! small fortune. and wild temptation crossed his mind. Then, his lips eonl- pressed, his chest stood out and he went up to the clerks desk,
 ''Is there a Mir. Archer here3" he asked. T must see him at Opcs,"
 "Not to be dtsturbed-he is ill., I'll e, I,fa