The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1938-04-22

Behind the counter the big, red
SP ed man was frying steak to
go on a plate already well-laden
with beans and potatoes. Watch
ting him. Ed Shivered. That gnaw-
ing pain in his Stomachl 1t even
made him forget how cold he was.
He moved closer to the glass. SO
funny the way things had turned
out! He's been pretty hopeful when
he came East to take the job
here in town.
WIFE GUSTS HUNGER
So many months since he'd seen
her soft, sunny hair, her brown
Autumn-leaf eyes, The sudden
thought of his wife made Ed for
get for a moment the grumbling
of his empty stomach. To get back
to Millersville, to hold her in his
arms again! He's be there now,
II
Eds wind-whipped face dark
ened. That rat Doyle, who had
worked next to him in the con-
Struction gang! SWindling him out
of the little money he'd saved for
train-fare home! No way to find
him, now he'd disappeared COM
pletely.
No way to get back to Millers-
vile, either; Mary's folks couldn't
afford the eighteen-forty train fare
even if he could get in touch with
them.
The door of the restaurant
swung open. A man emerged, con-
tentedly picking his teeth. The
rush of warm air, laden with the
odor of hot coffee, frying grease
and batter cakes, made Eds mouth
water. So long since he had eaten!
Blindly he pushed open the door,
moved toward the counter.
The big, red-faced man behind
1t tossed hamburger on the grill,
studied Eds unshaven cheeks, his
threadbare coat, with stony atten-
ton. Very deliberately he flattened
the lump of meat with his cake
turner.
Boss. Ed laid a grimy hand
upon the counter. I'm hungry"
PLEADS FOR FOOD
"Yeah?" The big mans voice
was cold. well, that's what I'm
running a lunchroom for. Hungry
people. . with the price"
Nothing to eat for two days"
Ed went on, but a couple of hot
dogs. Starving, almost" His voice
broke weakly; his blue lips trem-
bled. The smell of the frying ham
burger awoke clawing demons in
his stomach. IF I could only get
Q square meal. ="
Whats stopping you?" the big
man asked savagely.
Money. I'm broke. If you'll
stake me to feed. I'll pay it
back some day. Honest" Ed
Swayed slightly. Don't you see,
mister? got to eat"
The proprietor of the lunchroom
rang up the 50-cent check one OF
his regular customers had tossed
on the counter, returned the
change.
The regular customer. brushing
the crumbs from an expensive vest,
gave Ed sympathetic glance.
Whats your story. buddy" he
asked.
Nothing much, I guess" Ed
said duly. Been working here a
few weeks. Had enough dough
saved up to get back to Millers.
vile where my wife'S staying with
her folks. Got chiseled out of the
money, been drifting around since
Nowhere to go. nothing to eat. >
Huh" the proprietor snorted
That's what they all say! Scram
cut of here, bum!"
You heard mel" the owner of
the lunchroom growled. Get go
ng!"
Ed turned away, his shoulders
trembling.
GETS HIS MEAL
"Wait a minute" The sympa.
thetic customer. full of benevo
lence and beer. stopped him.
"Give the kid chance, Dan. His
story sounds okay."
Dan McGurk's eyes narrowed
coldly. Better to set this bum up
to meal than lose a regular
even if it did burn him to be
olaVed for a sucker
"All right" he snapped. Go
over there and fill yourself Then
bring me the check" He banged
the cash register with renewed
violence as another diner paid his
bill. These damn panhandlersn
Ed moved unsteadily toward a
table, sat down. AS though in a
dream he watched the waitress
bring his order to the table.
But with the demands of the
stomach satisfied, another and