The Washington times., 1938-11-07
THE CHAMPION


q lob to pay for meal?'
Joe listens to so many hardlucE
stories that he's not a sucker for
them any more. He knows that
mostly guys that ask for JOB OF
work in trade for a meal don t
really want to work.
yeah" Joe asked, what can
you do?"
He stared at the stranger then,
expecting the usual run OF allolS.
But the other Steadied his eyes,
and looked right back at Joe.
Anything you say" he tod Joe
after a minute. And III work
before I eat"
ASKING NO FAVOR
"Okay," he said. you asked
Sor it."
So he sent him over to Where
Orlando Muscle, who was billed as
the worlds strongest human, was
working with a roustabout to get
his tent up. This Orlando was a
hard citizen that nobody liked.
Most big, strong fellows are easy
poing-but not Orlando. His idea
of a Joke was to take your wrist
In his two hands to show you now
he could break it with a tWlst'
"Orlandoll teach him not to be
a wise guy" Joe muttered as ne
watched I he stranger shuttle
away.
You know, I've seen that lug
some place before" he said, but
/ can't figure out where"
The roustabout told us most OF
what happened after the stranger
got over to help with ORLANDO S
tent. The strong man looked nm
over when he reported.
Fine" Orlando said, "let's
shake hands l like to be pals
with everybody who works Tor
me-"
So the stranger stuck out his
hand. and Orlando grabbed it and
squeezed hard. He held on, 1t
being his habit to squeeze until
the other fellow yelled, but the
stranger didn't holler.
His face went grey, and all the
whisky flames died down out OF
It. and his lips were almost white.
But he didn't say anything. Finally
Orlando let go, and the stranger
shook his bruised hand like dog
shakes itself when it comes out
Of the water.
you've had your fun" he said,
then, now show me what I've got
to do. I'm hungry, and have to
work to earn my meal"
WORK, WORK, WORK
So Orlando worked him like a
dog, gave him all the heaviest
Jobs. and no rest between lifts.
'You want to work." he groWled.
Gall right, work then"
The stranger kept his mouth
shut, even though he looked like
he would drop any minute. He
Just worked until the job was al
most done, with Orlando and the
rCustabout standing around going
through the motions.
He was on the last peg, as
matter of fact, when Lolita came
along, swinging free and easy, the
way she always Walked-juSt like
the snakes she worked with in her
act. She saw the stranger, and
she stopped.
Hi" Lolita said. got you work
ing. haven't they?"
The roustabout says he never
saw such a look in a guys eyes
as the stranger had when he gave
that peg a final whack, and
turned to look at Lolita.
Yeah" he said, they've got
me working. yAnd-and-thanks,
lady"
Orlando heard that and turned
around, his little eyes hard. It
didn't suit his book to see this
stranger get any time from any
body-especially Lolita.
Listen" he yelled. "you amt
supposed to talk to anybody. If
you're through with your work,
get the hell out of here" Then
he made a grab at Lolita.
Take your hands off me, you
mutt" she cried, tearing away
from him, her black eyes blazing
''1've told you before to leave me
alone"
But Orlando only laughed, and
grabbed at her again.
Then, the roustabout says. a
funny thing happened. The
stranger began to move smooth
ly, like all his muscles and joints
were floating in oil, and his fists
went out faSt-like the roustabout
had never seen fists go before
Orlando dropped his hands from
the girl, and put one of them up
to his mouth which was bleeding
you'll pay for it right away" And
he started for the stranger.
But Lolita got between them
'Listen," she screamed, you big
bully. Don't you touch him, OF
I'll have you pinched.
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