The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1919-01-29
de way and let folks passl" he call


he &c ,osted several and asked them
to help him find boarding place.
Each put him off with a snarl or
laughed in his face. Finally at a
corner he came upon an elderly
gentleman who seemed to be wait
ing for someone. eff he can stand
he thought. So he stepped up to
the old gentleman and stated his
business. The stranger looked him
over with critical eye and his
hand went involuntarily to his
watch-chain to determine If it was
still there.
Are you Southerner or fool?'
the old man asked after a few min
utes hesitation.
The hot blood mounted to Mer-
Inns face and to save himself he
could not help clinching his fist.
Viewing it from all angles,
think am both," he answered;
~ am a Southerner because I was
born in the South and a fool for
ever coming to a damned place like
this and speaking to such an old
reprobate as you'll"
The older man smiled. "Golly,
L like your nerve" he said, "And
fare you really from the south?
You needn't have told me. / would
have known it after hearing you
make that little Speech Well,
young man, that little show of spir-
it has made friend of me and
am going to help you. all l can.
What sort of place do you want
cheap one?"
Il wish to find- moderate beard
ing place but not one where the
proprieters do not show the high
est sense of decorum and respecta-
bility."
Good for you, my young FRIEND
said the old gentleman, II like that
spirit 1t will make a man of you"
Following his newly-made &C
quaintance, Merlin crossed the
street and boarded a car marked
Dawson Street." In a few min
utes they started and as they sped
past block after block of magnifi-
cent residences and finally entered
the business section, he caught his
first glimpse of life in great
metropolis. On each side of them
the way was blocked with rushing
traffic and the car was forced to
creep along at a snail-like rate, Of
ten stopping to avoid collision.
The noise was deafening. The
jingling of bells, the screaming of
automobile sirens, the footing of
horns mingled with the shouts of
men, was like one continuous roll
of thunder.
The car emerged from the traf-
fic and entered the public square.
Here the streets were equally
crowded. Far across the square
Merlin could see the immense
throng surging, pushing, bust
ling-a vertible sea of humanity.
They passed down tree-lined quiet
avenues and at last came to
beautiful residence, when the old
gentleman rang the bell ind the
car stopped.
Following him, Merlin passed
under an arched gateway and up
long cement walk to the tall build
ing. An accomplished middle
aged woman met them at the door.
Mrs. Watkins, this is Mr."
Mitchell" said Merlin.
"He wishes to board with you
and hope you will make him as
said the stranger"
He is a splendid young man and |
am sure he will be a desirable
boarder."
The old man bowed and started
down the walk.
"Wait a minute, please, merlin |
called after him." | wish to thank
you for your kindness. / will ev-
sr appreciate what you have done
Tor me-"
That's alright, young man, |
was in the same fix twenty years
ago when | arrived here from {
Tennessee. He waved his hand s
once and passed out of the gate. &
Merlin never learned his name nor
lid he ever see him again.
Tie was soon made to feel at ,
home at the boarding house. Mrs. a
the proprietress, was pro-
use with welcome and cordiality.
They soon agreed on terms and he ]
rooms for the period of
he week. From his window he c
:ould see the city which was now
sparkling sea of lights. "a
Loft alOna In biG room when n