But each time he gripped his hands
together and set his teeth. He would not beg. He would find work.
And so on through the morning. He went into stores, big and little.
Sometimes they answered politely--sometimes gruffly; but no one
hesitated a moment. He went past warehouses, where men were loading
wagons--surely there would be work here.
He spoke to a busy foreman in his shirt sleeves.
"How often must I tell you no?" cried the man.
"But you never told me before," protested Samuel with great
earnestness.
"Get out!" said the man. "There are so many of you--how the devil can
I tell?"
There were so many! And suddenly Samuel realized that he had passed a
good many poor-looking men upon the streets. And were they all hunting
jobs and not finding them? Perhaps some were even begging and getting
nothing by that.
He went on with a blank terror in his soul. He gazed at the people he
passed on the street; some of them had kindly faces--surely they would
have helped him had they known. But there was no way for him to let
them know--no way but to be a beggar!
He came to the suburbs and asked at the houses. But no one wanted
anything done. It was noon and people were at luncheon--he caught
odors as doors were opened. He went back into the city, because he
could not stand it. He was feeling weaker, and he was afraid with a
ghastly fear. Pretty soon he might not be able to work!
It was a new idea to Samuel, that a man might starve in the midst of
civilization.
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