The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-05-24
LIES DERELICT
Thru Chinatown on n Dare, He
Left His Soul There.

Hello, fellows, amt you got the
glad hand for one of your kind? Say,
I'll have drink with all of you, if you
don't mirfd. Now, listen, don't get
sore and turn away from me. look
bum enough. and dirty, too. but can't
you see, that down deep in my heart
there's a spot that burns with shame :?
Cause 1 can't get up and be q man
and live up to my name. For my
name was coming to the front as fast
as any could. And I'd of been among
the best, il 1 only would. That was
two years ago, when 1 was working
hard to be a man. AS 1 was getting
Now, here, won't you listen for a
minute, 1 want to prove to you
that I'm on the square and honest in
all I've said to you. And I can show
that I'm taking right. without doubt.
So wait minute. fellows, don't go,
know how the old hop get into this
frame? Well, I'll tell you how I got
started playing this game. I was a
darn fool, you know, like most kids
will be, 1 wanted to go thru hop
joint in Chinatown, to see how the
Chinks put that good old stuff into
their brain. So took one smoke, on
a dare, then vowed I'd ne'er do it
again. OF course that was all right, at
least for one time. Then trouble came
to me and still had on my mind the
thoughts of how soothing that drug
had been to me. So decided to try a
little more, the harm I could not see.
I was working then, had right good
job, you know; and I felt this awful
trouble of mine would soon leave and
go. But it got worse and worse, for
the hop had done Its dirt; I sunk lowed
and lower and finally couldn't work.
I've got so I can hardly stand, 1 get so
III l. Nd AwrvrN Ne
days. sometimes, without a bit to eat.
My old friends don't seem to remem-
Der me any more; when 1 come round
they move off and shun me as a bore.
I've tried to mulch a dime this whole
day long. My looks queer me,
reckon, guess I'm in wrong. / haven't
got a friend to turn to for any pity
now. They've forgotten me, and what
I was and how, I'd been a man, but it's
all so different in q way. I'm an out
cast, degraded, despised; that's what
they say. I'm very glad my mother
died, before sunk so low; cause no
one can go to her and tell her. she'll
never know. Say, boys. take up a
collection to see what you can do. ]
haven't had a Whit of ven this whole
day thru. Thanks, pals. that's two
dollars, twill put some life in me, and
maybe keep this old frame alive a
little longer, you see. Before 1 go.
look; here stands a wreck all because
L was fool enough and took a dare.
and now I'm a wasted life that no
one can reclaim, but what's the use
of crying and look for some one TO
blame?"
And then he was gone, this ragged,
hollow checked lad, & mortal to be
pitied, for he was one who had had
every chance of making good, but he
had failed and so he's forgotten now
and down where all of his kind go.
Next morning Officer Shay found
the body of a man. dead, he had lain
for hours in the cold. damp sand. On
the slab next to other of Life's dere-
licts he lay. BLESS, my soul, if it amt
Jimmy the Dope Head" said Shay.
Pneumonia" said the doctor.
whats that in his hand?" They pried
them open and there all covered with
sand were two dollars that had been
given him to go his gait. But they
had done no good. they had come
too late. N. S. A.