The Washington herald., 1920-08-21
THE MAKING OF 4 NE w
YORKER - - By O. HENRY

large as a harvested wheat field,
the complexion OF a baptized in
FAINT and the knuckles of a prize
fighter. This type leaned against
cigar signs and viewed the world
with trapped contumely.
A poet is a sensitive creature,
and Raggles soon shriveled in
the bleak embrace Of the undeci-
pherable. The chill. sphinx like,
ironical illegible. unnatural ruth
less expression of the city lert
him downcast and bowiIdered.
Had it no heart? Better the
woodpile. the scolding Of vine
gar-faced housewives at back
doors. the kindly spleen of bar
tenders behind provincial free
lunch counters. the amiable true
ulence of rural COnstables. the
kicks, arrests and happy lucky
chances Of the other vulgar, loud
crude cities than this freezing
heartleSsness.
RaggIes summoned his courage
and sought aims from the popu-
lace. Unheeding. regardless. they
passed on without the wink OF
an eyelash to testify that they
were conscious OF his existence.
And then he said to himself that
this fair but pitiless city Of Man
haitian was without a soul, that
it's inhabitants were manikins
moved by wires and springs. and
that he was alone in a great will
derness.
Raggles started to cross the
street. There was a blast, a roar.
kissing and a crash as some
thing struck him and hurled him
over and over six yards from
where he had been. AS he was
coming down like the stick of
a rocket the earth and all the
cities thereof turned to frac-
tured dream.
RagCles opened his eyes First
an odor made itself known to
him-an odor OF the earliest
spring flowers of Paradise. And
then a hand soft as falling
petal touched his brow. Bending
over him was the woman clothed
like the princess of old. with blue
eyes. now soft and humid with
human sympathy. Under his head
on the pavement were silks and
fUrs. With Raggles' hat in his
hand and with his face pinkcr
than ever from a vehement burst
of OratOry against reckless driv-
ing. stood the elderly gentleman
who personifed the city's wealth
and ripeness. From a nearby cafe
hurried the by-product with the
vast jowl and baby complexion.
bearing a glass full of a crimson
fluid that suggested delightful
possibilities.
Drink dis. sport" said the by
product, holding the glass to
Raggles' lips.
Hundreds of people huddled
around in a moment, their faces
wearing the deepest concern. Two
flattering and gorgeous police
men got into the circle and
pressed back the overpIus of
Samaritans. An old lady in
black shawl spoke loudly of
camphor; a newsboy slipped one
of his papers beneath RaggIes'
elbow, where it lay on the muddy
pavement. A brisk young man
with a notebook was asking for
names.
A bell changed Importantly, and
the ambulance cleaned lane
through the crowd. A cool sur
geon slipped into the midst of
affairs.
How do you feel, old man."
asked the surgeon, STOPPING easily
to his task. The princess Of silks
and satins wiped a red drop or
two from Raggles' brow with a
fragrant Cobweb.
Me-" said Raggles. with
seraphiC smile. 81 feel fine"
He had found the heart of his
new city.
In three days they let him
leave his cot for the convaIescent
ward in the hospital. He had
been in there an hour when the
attendants heard sounds of con-
I fiict. Upon investigation they
found that Raggles had assaulted
and damaged a brother GONZALES
cent--a glowering transient whom
freight train collision had sent
in to be patched up.
Whats all this about?" in
quired the head nurse.
He was runnin' down me
town" said Raggles.
What town." asked the nurse.
Moo York" said RaggIes.
Copyright loa0 hy wheelar S,,ra3,. -,