The Argosy, October 1906 — page 37: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

is ~ Pa + a : ‘tion with’ the vendor. - €larkson. . ~ helping himself to all the nuts he could ON THE SPUR OF THE MOMENT. morning when food had Jast passed his lips, dnd it was now getting well along toward evening; byt when he realized that his opportunities for feasting were seriously curtailed, his appetite became positively ravenous. ~ What could one get the most of for five cents? He pondered, wavering un- écertainly between the rival attractions of a fruit- -store and a soda-water fountain. He-knew, of course; that. at. almost any saloon the purchase of a glass of beer would entitle him to the privileges of the free-lunch counter; but, somehow, crackers and cheese and sliced onions did not appeal to. him-sovstrongly- as did the “ banafias at the fruiterer’s and the malted <milk-at the fizz-fountain. » He-was about to cast his vote for-the lattér; when his eye was caught by the sight of a peanut-roaster on the corner. Ah,.that was the fare for him.» Cheap, but: Zootlisenes and at the. same time filling! “He hesitated no longer; but in- * -yested:in a Sack, and standing there be>: side the roaster, cracked the shells**and z - *stuffed-the kernels into his mouth with a relish, Insensibly he drifted into cOnversa- The man-chanced to. mention that ~he was from~ Palermo, ~ and Horace recalling some of the Sicilian “patois which he had picked up from ‘old Tony during his early apprenticeship, de- “lighted the chap by addfessing him in’ his — own tongue. After-that, nothing was too good for The man« insisted on his eat, and waxed effusive.in confidences. He told Horace how homesick he was - for-the vineyards and olive-groves of his hative land, and that he and his wife were saving up every penny that. they could lay by to go back. Just then a dark-skinned, round-eyed Italian Juno came clumping heavily up -the street toward them. “Ah, there she comes now, signor. Rosina, my wife,” with an ecstatic _wave of his hand. “Is she not beautiful? The little one!” She would only have made about six of her skinny, undersized husband. But Rosina was not there merely to be admired. She wanted to purchase a gay, yellow kerchief for her head at the big All _ départment- -store across the way, and as she did not speak English very well, she wanted her husband to go along =e help her in the selection. Antonio was immediately all dea tion. * But, Cae he eiplained: “how can I?. I am a busines$ man, yes: How then can I leave the roaster to be depredated by thieves during my absence. Gladly would I lay down my life to go with you as you desire ; but you see your- self it is impossible. | Clarkson, who had been a forced » listener to the volubleexcited dialogue, here interposed. If they. had no ob- jection and were willing to trust him, he would look-after the stand during their brief absence, and- attend*to any cus- tomers who might come along. ‘ “You, signor?’”’ exclaimed Antonio m= thunderstruck amazement. ‘But no ; you-merely jest... You are a gentleman.” Oh, it wouldw’t be the first time I’ve dotie_it,” Horace assured; ‘and I gueSs my*dignity can still stand the strain with- out breaking in two. _Run along now, the pair of you, and get that yellow kerchief. - I want to see if my eye is as good for a pint measure as it used to be.” He would listen to no protestations or denials, and, in the end, Antonio, de- ciding that he really-meant it, acceded to' his demand, and went eff joyfully upon the arm of his buxom spouse. “Well, this is rather: getting back to first principles,” commented Clarkson, turning up the wick in the lamp, ~and starting the cylinder°revolving. “One never Knows when old Dame Fortune’s wheel will land you batk at your start- ing-point.e I wonder.now if I am going to have any trade?’ As if in answer to his query, a mes- senger-boy came up just then and de- manded a sack; then an oldish man with two little girls ‘who called him “ Uncle” stopped for ten cents’ worth; and, to top off with, a “ Seeing New York ” automo- bile with a crowd on its roof was halted opposite him by a jam of traffic. Horace saw his opportunity, and, filling his arms with bags, wormed his way under. the horses’ noses out to the big, cumbersome vehicle. ‘Fresh reasted! Hot peanuts! Five a bag!” he called lustily, clambering ‘up com. Ecomichooks =