Evening star., 1933-08-13
The quaint adventure
of a couple Of smart guys who
were tired of the touch"

buckWheat cakes for breakfast, aIo
they're too dumb to try it. How are you soms
to make emp"
There must be s5me way" Bill asserted
ploomily And anyhow, where We going to
get the money to buy tickets?'
How much have We got?"
Bill. who acted as treasurer of the partner
ship, drew an old envelope from his inside
pocket and studied certain figures. Mine num-
6red francs. When that's g1ne, we can start
hoofing it for Havre.'
His eve was caught by a decrepit figure sulk-
ing on the safety zone in the middle OF the
street. Don't look. Ike" he warned his part
ner but there's that panhandler coming our
way"
"Who?"
"Coney. Hes going to try to make a touch"
"Fat chance" Ike snorted. They tell me
hes got new line. He makes out ike hes
trying to commit suicide. He's pestered every
body so much that that's the only thing they'll
give him money for now. He got 80 francs cut
CT Hargens to buy himself revolver. and the
next day he tried to borrow IS francs from
Moore to get himself 10 feet Of rope"
DOTH partners bent studiously over their
y glasses But the panhandler. paying no at
tentiou to their obvious GOODNESS, came up to
their table and sat down. "H'ya, boys" he OBJ
served
Coney had been a man of many professions
At odd times in his life he had been BAR
tender. a ships steward and . side-show barker
at Coney Island. The last employment had
given him his name.
He was incredibly ragged, sockless and dirty
On top of his deplorable head rode high
crowned derby hat Around his wrinkled neck
a tall rubber collar collaborated with a patent
necktie in q last effort to assure his respecta-
bility.
Neither Ike nor Bill answered his jaunty
greeting. waiter came promptly to their
table, regarded Coney with dsapproval Du'
awaited his commands.
Gin vermouth," said Coney.
"Hey" Ike protested who's going to pay
for it? You needn't think we are!'
who invited you to have drink?" Bill
asked.
I got money" Coney assured them. He showed
the corner of a new 100-franc note Lots OF
it. I don't forget my friends see? You boys
treated me right and now want to treat you
right
"Where'd YOU get it?"sIke wanted to know.
Found it in front of the American Ex-
press" Coney assured him. "Whatu you
nave?" The waiter had returned with Coneys
drink 1.-TWO more of the same waiter.
Half an hour later the partners were in
clined to see in Coney the innocent mctim
of an unjust world. The pile of saucers that
testified to their indebtedness had risen to the
proportions Of skyscraper. Gin vermouths
were francs apiece. That made francs
a round, and they had five rounds.
This IS on me, and I'll pay it" said Coney.
He hourished his 100-franc note before the
walters eyes.
But when the waiter returned, instead of a
plate full of change he brought with him the
manager who was turning Coney's bill in his
hands Coney looked at him beliigerently.
where's the changer" he wanted to know.
This bill is counterfeit" the manager said
suavely. There was a pause. >Coney was
aghast. Ike and Bill looked stormy, and rose
from their seats.
THE manager allowed his gaze to wander
toward the policeman who loitered at the
club Ike and Bill realized that the manager
meant TO turn them in unless some one pro-
duced As francs Bill reluctantly took q note
from his pocket and laid it on the table.
Thank you" The manager gave the coun-
tcrfeit note back to Coney. Il advise you TO
take this bill back where you got IT." he said.
The partners walked unsteadily down the