Part 12 (2/2)
In the next street a similar spectacle met them--ruin and solitude In a third, the same In a fourth, the same It was as if a battle had taken place, or rather as if the town had been sacked and cleared by an invading arns of its progress, and signs alone
”This is deuced odd,” was Tony's co is possible in this age of Socialism But is the spirit of curiosity dead? If so, _that_ will be 'the end of all things' Surely everybody can not be ht upon at least one brand fro, interested spectator If it were but a reed his companion ”But listen! I think I hear a noise over there to the right Shall we go and see?”
Tony stopped, friendliness in his heart
”I think you're right,” he said ”But look here! Judging by e've seen, these chaps won't stick at trifles Personally I don't et interested; but you're different--you're an older man Hadn't you better try the station?”
The little an, and then stopped ”I beg your pardon--I haven't sworn these twenty years, but I feel soraybeard yet, and if you can be interested, I can Co to him ”Awfully sorry I said that I say, you _are_ a sportsain, but this time with pleasure ”Thank you That is the second time I have been called a sportsman within twenty-four hours II rather like it, Mr---- By the way, have you any objection to telling me your name?”
”Not a bit, if you'll tell me yours”
The little man considered a moment, and then----
”My name is Hedderwick,” he said frankly ”I feel I can trust you to keep your own counsel”
”Of course Mine is Tony Wild”
They had been walking quickly in the direction of the noise, which every uided by their ears, they entered a street where their curiosity was satisfied At the farther end was a seething crowd of utter children
They were the strikers, or souard had said, they were evidently so of the public-houses had not tended to assuage their wrath Fired by their alleged grievances, liquor, eloquence and the electricity of athe town The police had done all that was possible to stem the attack and vindicate law and order, but they were hopelessly outnuraphed for, and were even nowthe local forces had retired to talk over the return e of lint and arnica The strikers were in possession and thoroughly enjoying the to his couments: pretend to be a labor leader, if you like!” pushed his way slowly through the crowd Robert, his heart bu with fear, interest and excitement, followed him; he was afraid, but not too afraid, and he felt that his holiday was proving a success When they reached the center of interest, after a tardy but good-huht neither had hoped for
The thickest of the croaying round a large shop It was termed the emporium, and almost merited the title The happy anarchs had slass, careless of the rate-payers, and then had proceeded to abolish such of the fittings as offended their esthetic sense In the center of the -space, standing on a chair, was a cheerful striker, conducting a kind of auction More strictly, it was a charitable distribution, for no one oods received The shop was afrom a peraruity of soiven a child's feeding-bottle, and accepted it without demur; with a bellow of approval he seized it by the rubber tube and whirled it round, shouting, till the tube broke and the bottle flew off at a tangent Another received half a pianola--the whole was too much for him to carry, and kindly friends helped him to bisect it with clubs and bars A third, beered off with a dozen volu brokenly ”Suthin' f'r the kids to read,” and dropping at intervals his burden in theand unselfishness
A few moments after Tony and Robert had penetrated to the front, ready- distributed with a lavish hand The auctioneer would seize a suit, or a part of a suit, fro, and with humorous or profane comments throw it to one of the crowd
”Who wants a waistcoat?” he was crying presently; ”a regular fancy article, double-wove, stairls! Just the thing to wear of a Sunday! and when the bloo or a tea-cozy! Just the thing--here y'are!” and he flung it to an outstretched hand
”Now's our chance if ant a change!” whispered Robert He ht up with amusement
”Don't be a fool!” he whispered at once ”These chaps are sie me with a suit?” asked Tony suavely, but in the clearest tones The crowd turned at the university accent Hitherto they had been too busy to notice the new arrival, but as they observed the opera hat, the snized the presence of one of the upper classes and looked black A th and hostility, and a voice suggested with painful clarity the dissection of his internal organs
Tony took in the situation: another ed for action of an unpleasant kind; there was not a , co wrath could burst into flame he took off his hat and smote it The fabric collapsed with a ridiculous _klop_, and the crowd, taken by surprise and ready to laugh at the mere trifle, roared Tony spun it into the air with a careless grace, far over the heads of the throng; and as all eyes were fixed on its trajectory he pushed his way forward ”Aon toward the shop
”By your leave, sir! Excusebeside the auctioneer