Evening star., 1919-05-04

anybody to look after them and warn
them OF the pitfalls? Or were most
of them alone in the world? William
cogitated seriously. He was toler-
ably familiar with the street scenes
at night. He knew the breed. too,
of the man with whom he had just
clashed. Fine manners, sympathy.
patience, money and good looks, and
hearts as black as inkpots; and the
silly little fools thought they saw
the golden knight. Most Of these chill
dren came in from the country and
the small cites, to become great ac-
tresses, musicians, painters. William
wondered how many of them We're
able to live at all. 1t always seemed
that when they were loneliest, old
Cow -Hoof came around the corner to
cheer them up.
"And they call for guys like that
he murmured. He couldn't under
stand. "They wouldn't look at me
through a telescope, not if ! had dia-
monds on both hands. It's looks.
that's what gets 'em; looks, soft soap.
They run into every kind of danger
with binders on, They amt any OF
'em bad, just curious and lonesome.
Aw, hell"
William never dwelt long upon any
subject. especially if it were dis
tasteful. He began to chuckle. Per-
haps this was the fatal hour, accord
ing to that clairvoyant. A few nights
since he and some of the engine house
boys off duty had paid visit to a
nearby clairvoyant for the lark of it.
he g Of 10 hol
portentous (at so cents); there would
be some money they never said how
much, being conservative). and the
influence OF the planets Venus and
Mars would soon be felt. Well. he
had the money all right; he was now
ready for both Venus and Mars. Mars
was all right; he had been born un-
der that planet, no doubt, been scrap
ping as far back as he could remem-
ber. Any clairvoyant with true eye
for business could get away with that
line of talk after one glance at his
topknot. But this Venus stuff was
TO laugh; pure bunk. And, my, my!
the poor simps who went to clairvoy-
ants and believed in 'em. Yeah!
As he entered his room, murmur-
ing something about "the new-mown
hay for his" he shifted the boiled
cabbage. He smacked his lips over
the recollection Of his dinner. No
body could cook corned beef and cab
bage like Ma Hanlon.
I've often wondered if Bayard. or
Quixote, or Roland ate New England
dinners on Thursdays. William gen
orally did.
s.,1@ hn fo1l iNn
noon William Grogan signed his name.
to certain documents and thereupon
became a legal member of the firm Of
Burns, Dolan & Co.
And now, partner. what's on the
program?' asked Burns, as he and
william sat down before their beer
in the little saloon where Burns
usually ate his lunches.
Said William, after some deliberation,
I'm going to take a vacation
Sure What are you going to do
go fishing"
Nope. I'm going around the
world, Mr.. Burns
Huh? What are YOU giving me?"
"Surest thing YOU know. You see.
its like this. I've got to go to get
the idea out Of my coco. My whole
souls been longing for steamboat and
trains and the likes since l was
kid. Got to go. If | take the trip
while I'm young IN get all there Is
in it, This talk about doing these
things when you've retired from bust
ness is all bull con. You know it
just as we'll as ! do. ! expect to be
gone six months. when ] come back
III be on the job for keeps. Now
shoot"
son, you've knocked the breath out
of me. You hiking around the globe.
seeing the sights, living in hotels and
ships. and coming back W 18th your grip
covered with labels! Well. that's
Irish enough for anybody. You're the
doctor. Bill. I've taken care Of Mrs.
Dolans money for six years; | guess
] can take care of yours for six
months. You're 81 sly ruffian. though.
You wait until you're in the firm be-
fore you shoot this stuff. All right;
go as far as you like. Business is
good. And when you come back. get
married. 1t takes woman to keep
the dollars from running wild. How
much are YOU going to take with
you?"
"rhree thousand. That1 leave
about FIVE roosting in the bank. |
want to ride the elephants; and be-