Show I 1 ms HIS SORROWFUL STORY 1 it wa a pretty 11 fair ir story all but the tile 4 bwl in before y you on turn in me away from your door sir began the battered specimen ipe clinen ol 01 manhood on the back porch I 1 ask as a javor thit that you isear my story IB Is ft it a long story asked the man of 0 the house I 1 to narrate it t in detail would requite something like an hour and a bait half but I 1 can giro give the principal points of it in a few minutes you may give it to me in its abbreviated form 1 I was born bam in ohio how old are you now forty three please skip about forty two years and eleven months t across therace the face of the rickety looking tourist flashed a spasm of pain but he be resolutely brought bis his narrative down to mod tru ern times Inn inserting ertin g a row of stars ho he eaid said to represent that portion of my history which I 1 may inay be described as my childhood grow th tb I 1 maturity and decay suggested the listener and decay absented assented the eleemosynary I wanderer 1 I will come to the events that have kave shaped my career for the last few days if it you find thit that the recital of the facts f acta agitate you too much said the master of the house feelingly you can lean up against the bide side of the porch thanks rh anks replied the man drawing liim self up with dignity 1 I am accustomed to all kinds of treat treatment men your sarcasm Is not lost upon me sir but I 1 am inured to hardships of this description I 1 shafts of satire do not penetrate if I 1 may 00 express myself the armor the the the incrustation said the other coming to his relief the moral coat of mail mall tb that at protects my inner self from hurt and injury proceeded the traveler ignoring the suggestion tiou they do not pierce it it may interest oa and it may not to learn that I 1 am a refugee from It Ku isia nosir no sir I 1 rom mississippi Taina I 1 am a flood sufferer emr so soon r the refugee coughed a depreciating cough 1 I could easily explain the celerity of my movements he replied but a at t your request I 1 have lave drawn a it yell ro llover over my history almost up to the present moment suffice su mee it to say I 1 was a flood sufferer a thew days ago today I 1 am here A few days ago I 1 was a happy contented dweller in mississippi today I 1 am a homeless wanderer unprepared for disaster not dreaming of the horrors to come I 1 walked about my little plantation antho in the valley of the it was the it I 1 you are right it was the life waa was a dreamy idyl care free I 1 roamed the woodland the meadow tho the cultivated field poss possessed emed of sufficient means to enjoy life without the de depressing preshing necessity of engaging in manual labor it waa too bright to bastl the enchanting dream waa was followed hy by a swift awakening the rains descended the floods came and the lovely Talla hatch be came a roaring flood it swept away the accumulation of years it reduced me to penury in a moment yet I 1 did not abandon my lome home until driven to the last ex tre mity As the roaring waters mounted I 1 climbed to the roof root of my dwelling ire I 1 remained there until the topmost brick in the highest chimney was submerged and arid then I 1 fearlessly committed myself to the water I 1 swam hold ont on you fearlessly committed yourself to the water did you 1 I did sir I 1 swan until that will do my friend I 1 have listened patiently to your story I 1 have accepted without argument your statements con berning your former prosperity and pres ent adversity I 1 have been much interested in the abbreviated history of your life and i I 1 have thrilled with sympathy for you my friend my generous impulses have been stirred to their inmost depths and I 1 have fejt the tears of compassion welling up from their hidden source but if it you dont climb down off this porch and take yourself out of these premises in less than no time you lazy dirty lying worth w orth le less ax rum nosed vagabond ill kick you clear up through your greasy gremy old hatt get cutill the next time I 1 work off that story muttered the grimy tourist to himself after he had bad got safely outside the gat gate and started on down the street ill omit that Bw imming swimming bath it seem to wash chicago tribune |