Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-02-18
HER STORY
HANSON cab, somewhat ",

way In a cuflously detected manner
through the heart Of New fork's Enst
Side. A fnc drizzlc fell. through which
the street lamps showed as through a
mist; and, with the pavements slip.
perry, the emaciatcd looking horse. the
shafts Jerking and lifting up. at inter.
vabs around its ears, appeared hard put
to II to preserve its footing.
The cabman on his perch drove with
on bis breast. He held the rcins list
lessly, permitting the horse to choose
its own gait. At times he lifted tho
little trap door in the roof Of the cab
and peered into the interior; occasion.
ally his hand, tentatively, hesitatinely.
edged toward bulge In his coat pocket
only to be drawn back again In
sort Of panic haste.
TIE cab turned into n street where,
in spite Of the drizzle. hnwkcrs with
their pushcarts under faring, splitting
gasoline banjoes were doing thriving
business. The horse went more slowly.
There was very little room. with the tnS
pushcarts lining the curbs on Potn
sides and the overflow Of pedestrians
from the sidewalks into the street. It
was perhaps overtaxing the horses
instinct to steer q safe course for the
vehicle II dragged behind It.. Halt.
vay along. the block n wheel OF the
hanson bumped none too gently into
one of the pushcarts, nearly upset.
ting the latter. The hawker, with
| frantic grab, saved his wares from dis
nstor by an uncoufortably narrow mar
gin, and, this done, hurled an impos'
stoned flood Of lurad ofatory ut the '"o'
wheeler.
The cabman lifted his chin from his
breast, stared stonily at the hawksr,
slapped the reins mechanically On tne
the horse to proceed, and the cao "eno'
ed Its way along again.
A. the end Of the block Il turned the
co,ncr and drew up before a small
building that was nested in between two
tenernents. The cabman climbed down
from bis perch and stood for a mo-
,nent surveying the three -g,lded balls
that hung over the dingy doorway and
The iettering-"Paul Veniza. Pawn-
broker''-that showed on the duly
| lighted windows which confronted him.
He drew his hand across his eyes;
then, reaching suddenly inside the cap'
| lifted q bundle in his arms, and en-.
tered the shop. A man behind tne
counter stared at him and uttered q
quick ejaculation. The cabman went ON
into q rear room. The man tr4ln oS.
! hind the counter followed. In the
YEAR room n woman rose from table
where she had been sewing and TOOK
tho bundle quickly from the cabman,s
arms. as It emitted a querulous little
The cabman spoke for the first time.
"Sbe's dead" he said heavily.
The woman, buxom, middle aged,
stared at him, Whitehall her eyes
filling suddenly with tears. =,
"She died an hour ngo, SAID the
cabman, In the same nonotonous voice.
II thought nabbe you'd look after the
baby girl for Bit Mrs. Ven'aa-,you
"of course" said the woman in
choked voice. "I wanted to before,
but-but your wife wouldn't let the
wee mite out Of her sight:
"She's dead now,' said the capinan.
Paul Venisa, the pawnbroker, crossed
"a the cabman's side, and, placing his
hands on tho others shoulders, drew
the man down into a chair.
.'Hawkins," he said slowly: we're
getting on in years, fifty each OF US;
and we've known each other for good
many Of those fifty" lie cleared his
throat. You've mado a mess OF
The woman, holding the baby, started
suddenly forward, q red flush dye!ng
her cheeks. ..
PAUL." shc cried out sharply. "How
can YOU be 80 cruel at such an hour rs
th,s!" r
The pawnbrokcr snook his head. lie
had moved to the back of the cabman s
chair, Tall, sight. grave and kindly
faced, with high forehead and the dark
hair beginning to silver at the temp es,
there seemed something almost esthetic
about the man.
1T is the hour" he said iclihc--
atcly; "the one hour IN when , i"n"5
speak plainly to my old friend, the one
hour that has come into his life which
may mean everything to him. Ills
right hand slipped from the cabman =
shoulder and started, tentatively, hesi-
tantly, toward q bulge in the claimants s
coat pockct---but was drawn back again.
md found its place once more on the
cabman's shoulder. II was afraid
Hawkins, when you married the young
wife. was afraid Of your curse
; The cabman's elbows were on the
table; he had sunk his chin in his
! hands. His blue eyes, out Of wrink' cd
face Of wind-beaten tan. roved around
. the little rom. and rested finally Oh the
bundle in the woman's arIus.
'"rhat's finished now,' he said DULY.
II pray God it IS" said Paul Neniza
earnestly; "but you said that before
, when you married the young wife,
ITS finished now--so help me,
: God." The oabman's lips scarcely
: moved. lie stared straight in front CT
:. him. ,,..- ,
" furnished room for a moment; thcE
the pawnbr"kcr spoke again:
II was born here IN New York. YOU
know, after my parents came fro"
Italy. There was 40 money, nothing
only misery. l remember. 1t Is like
that, Hawkins, isn't 1t, where you have
= just come from, and where you nave
left tho young wifeT
paul" his wifi, cried out again
"IIow can you say such things It
It IS not Ike !ouW Her lips quiz,
cred. She burst into tears, and buried
her face in the little bundle she snug
gied TO her breast.
Tho cabInan seemed curiousiy un'
noved--as though dazcd. almost de-
tnchcd from his immediate surroundings.
uo said nothing.
The pawnbrokcr's hands still rested
on tho cabman'D shoulders, stralls
gentlencss IN his touch that sought
somehow. it seemed, to offer sympathy
for his own merciless words.
II have been thinking OF this for G
long time, ever since we knew tha
Claire could not get BETTER no said
1--WE knew you would bring. tho LITTLE
one here. There was no other place
except am institution. And SO hay