The Daily Journal

As I walked down Collinsville avenue yesterday evening a melancholy looking individual stepped from a doorway and handed me a card with the request that I "please peruse." I perused the following:

HAVE YOU EVER NOTICED?
When your tongue hangs out
To the top of your shoes,
And your insides cry
For a drink of booze:
Tho' you had the cash
And coin galore,
And spent it freely
The night before:
The liquor won't flow
For money that's spent,
Tho' you have forgotten
Where the devil it went:
It makes no difference
Where, when, or how.
It's a lead pipe cinch
That you have none now;
How your friends all pass
With averted gaze.
And go in silence
Their separate ways:
Or gather around
The flowing bowl.
While you can't drink
To save your soul?
And now kind sir
If you like my stuff
A two-bit piece
Will be quite enough."

What could a poor man do? As he turned the card, much soiled from constant handling (pan handling), to the pocket of his well worn coat, and grasped the coin I proffered, a look of relief plainly showed on his grimy face. As I passed on my way I heard the sound of a softly opened door (side door, Sunday you know) and immediately after a metallic ring from the ever busy machine operated by the man behind the white apron.