The Pulaskian., 1921-06-02

inclined to hide his own hunger.
 ''Ho, hor exclaimed Mr. Bloggs, for he knew very well that the boy was hiding his hunger.
 Do you call that liefn the Shep- herd asked as soon as the minister had gone.
 "A little onel But in my opinion it don't count" said Mir. Bloggs. 'sYou were thinking of those who need food more than you and that turns it square around. 1 call it Il golden lie-I do."
 The minister had scarcely turned the corner of the street, when he met Hiram Blenkinsop, who was sbivering along without an oyercoat, the dog Christmas at his heels
 Mr. Singleton stopped him.
 "Why, man. Haven't you an over- coat?' he asked
 No, sir It's hangin' on a peg in a pawnshop over in Hazelmead. It ain't doin' the peg any good nor me ueitherr'
 Well, sir, you come with me- said the minister. It's about dinner time, anyway and I guess you need lining as we'll us covering"
 The drunkard looked into the face of the minister
 Say it ag'in," he muttered
 'I wouldn't wonder if little food would make you feel better" Mir. Sim gleton added.
 "A little, did you say?" Blcnkinsop asked
 Make it lot-as much as you can accommodate
 And do you mean that ye want me to go an eat in yer house?"
 Yes, at my table-why notg'
 Tt wouldn't be respectable. I don't want to be too particular, but tramp must draw the line somewhere.p
 "I'll be on my best behavior Come on' said the minister
 The two men hastened up the street followed by the dejected little yellow dog, Christmas.
 Mrs. Singleton and her daughter were out with Il committee of the children's helpers and the minister was dining alone that day and, as usual, at one o'clock, that being the hour for dinner in the village of Bing- Vile.
 Tell me about yourself" said the minister as they sat down at the ta- ble
 'Myself-did you say?s Hiram Blen- kinsop asked as one of his feet crept under his chair to conceal it's disrepu- table appearance. while his dog had partly hidden himself under serving table where he seemed to be shivering with apprehension as he peered out. with raised haclSles, at the stag's head over the mantel
 'Yes."
 q amt got any Self sir; it's all gone,' said Blenkinsop, as lie took swallow of water.
 "A man without any Self Is a curi- ous creature" the minister remarked.
 'Tm as empty as a woodpeckers hole in the winter time The bird has flown. I belong to this 'ere dog. He's a poor dog. I'm all he's got If he had to pay license on me I'd have to be killed. He's kind to me- He's the only friend I've got"
 Hiram Blenkinsop riveted his atten- tion upon an old warming-pan that hung by the fireplace. He hardly looked at the face of the minister.
 How did you come to lose your Self?" the latter asked
 Married a bad woman and took to drink. A mans Self can stand cold an hunger an shipwreck an loss O friends an money an any quantity O bad luck, take It as It comes, but a bad woman breaks the works in him an stops his clock dead. Leastways, 1t done that to mep
 She is like an arrow in his liver" the minister quoted. "Mr Blenkinsop. where do you stay nights
 Eve shake-down In the little loft over the ol blacksmith shop on Water street. There are cracks in the ga- ble, an the snow an the wind blows in, an the place is dark an smells O coal gas an horses feet. but Christ mas an snug up together an manage to live through the winter. In hot weather we sleep under q tree In the ol graveyard an study astronomy. Sometimes l wish I was there for good"
 "Wouldn't you like bed in a com fortable house?"
 No. I couldn't take the dog there an I'd have to git up like other folks"
 Would you think that a hardship?"
 Well, ye see, sir, if we're layin' down ye ain't hungry. Then, too, likes to dilly-dally in bed"
 What may that mean?' the min ister asked
 q likes 10 lay an think an build air castles
 What kind of castlesf"
 Well. sir. I'm thinkin' often O time when I'll have grand suit O clothes, and . shiny silk tile on my