The free press. (Poplarville, Miss.) 1890-19??, 1919-04-10
Front!
oo
BY Floyd Hamilton Hazard
(Copyright.)


1t was at least third larger than
Jones himself, and, for this reason, the
greater part of the time, he had a
firm conviction that Jones was quite
q man, and equal to almost any high
achievement.
He was an alert, practical, business
man, with a large stock of knowledge
dearly purchased at the University Of
Hard Work and there was brick dust
In his hair. His eyes were of deep,
comprehending blue, and when there
was anything worth seeing he seldom
closed them. His trim appearance was
greatly in his favor; but for the past
week it had availed him nothing.
Was it his fault that the old firm
had failed?
mo, it was not
Was it his fault that his weary
search for another position had so far
proved utterly fruitiess?
Again no!
Was he to blame because his saw
ings had melted away?
Well. hardly!
He was standing on the curb, at the
intersection of Fifth avenue and Thir-
ty-fourth street, In New York, modify
rehearsing in his mind his recent expe-
riences, as he abstractedly watched the
people in the dining room of the enor-
nous hotel opposite.
'What a week."
His search for similar work had de-
generated into a frantic scramble for
any kind of work at all. And how, on
nothing, pay rent and doctors bills and
acquire food and cash to go on?
"Great heavens!" he thought. eff
only had some cash"
Cash! Cash! Cash! beat in on his
brain.
"Got to have it! Can't get itr' said
Jones.
"Can get itr answered Jones' spir-
1t. keep a-going Can and will get
It,"
I'm hungry" complained Jones.
"Shucks :" scoffed his friend. Pull
in your belt a couple of holes"
At the edge of a pile of gutter-rub-
Dish near Merry's, he noticed a string
of pinkish beads.
"The little girl that lost them won't
mind if I give them to Helen" he
unused, as he slipped them into his
pocket. "a trlfling present and a
doubtful one, but big help at that.
1t isn't her fault that she doesn't
know I'm OUT of work.
He cleaned them in the fountain and
placed them in the lonely security of
his empty purse.
A copy of the mornings paper was
stuck between the Stats of the bench
on which he sat. He was too tired, too
harassed by doubt and fear and hum
ger, to read; so he carried it with him.
This spirit o. his made him stop to
sympathize with little girl on roller
skates, who had fallen and bumped her
nose, near his home. 1t also nerved
him to greet the doctor at the entrance
to this up-to-date tenement.
"Hallo, doc! How's my wife?" he
,genially inquired with a sinking heart.
"All right" was the reply. "The crl-
Sis came at noon today, and she will
recover, If you can manage the diet.
But how about my bill?"
Again was Jones prompted.
SLOW about your bill? Why! Aren't
you Doctor Billy" he laughed. Cant
See you tomorrow"
Satisfied, the doctor left him; but
there was another touch needed to
almost complete his misery. Jones met
the agent.
"Your rent has been overdue five
days" was this individuals pleasant
salutation.
81 know It," answered Jones nonchal-
antly. would a check on the First
Commercial do you right now?" he
queried in bantering tone.
sit would, II could get it." was the
reply in forbidding tones.
"Well!" said Jones cheerfully.
"Don't look so grouchy! Let's be hap
py. Come round and see me tomorrow
night"
His feet seemed fastened to the
steps as he slowly dragged them up
the five flights of stairs, but after the
click Of the latch-key his heavy heart
was lifted by glad cry as he entered
the little three-room fiat.
Cyrus! Oh, you dear! Come
quickly and let me press you close
The doctor says I will soon be well.
Well! Yes Completely and soundly
well What do you think of that?"
"Think 70 he choked, as he bent over
the bed and kissed his invalid wife.
"Why. Helen, darlingl can't think
for the glory of It'll"
"Hooray!" shouted Jones and his
spirit. "HoorayV
There was a wall from the crib by
the bedside.
"Hallo, son" he cried. as he caught
up the baby and kissed him. 'Mom-
mer is II goin t. get well! Dye hear
that! Yes, sir Listen to that and
quit it-you dear little Indlan!"
He drew up chair and sat heavily
Iii L. r. 10,