houses filled with the products of the whole world, and
guarded by iron shutters and heavy gates; the banks with
their unthinkable billions of wealth, all buried in safes
and vaults of steel.

And then one day there befell Jurgis the one adventure
of his life. It was late at night, and he had failed to get
the price of a lodging. Snow was falling, and he had been
out so long that he was covered with it, and was chilled
to the bone. He was working among the theater crowds,
flitting here and there, taking large chances with the
police, in his desperation half hoping to be arrested.
When he saw a blue-coat start toward him, however, his
heart failed him, and he dashed down a side street and
fled a couple of blocks. When he stopped again he saw
a man coming toward him, and placed himself in his
path.

"Please, sir," he began, in the usual formula, "will you
give me the price of a lodging? I've had a broken arm,
and I can't work, and I've not a cent in my pocket. I'm an
honest working-man, sir, and I never begged before. It's
not my fault, sir--"

Jurgis usually went on until he was interrupted, but
this man did not interrupt, and so at last he came to a
breathless stop. The other had halted, and Jurgis sud~
denly noticed that he stood a little unsteadily. "Whuzzat
you say?" he queried suddenly, in a thick voice.

Jurgis began again, speaking more slowly and dis~
tinctly; before he was half through the other put out his
hand and rested it upon his shoulder. "Poor ole chappie!"
he said. "Been up -- hic -- up -- against it, hey?"

Then he lurched toward Jurgis, and the hand upon his
shoulder became an arm about his neck. "Up against it
myself, ole sport," he said. "She's a hard ole world."

They were close to a lamp post, and Jurgis got a glimpse
of the other. He was a young fellow -- not much over
eighteen, with a handsome boyish face. He wore a silk hat
and a rich soft overcoat with a fur collar; and he smiled
at Jurgis with benignant sympathy. "I'm hard up, too,

[[278]]

p277 _ -chap- _ toc-1 _ p278w _ toc-2 _ +chap+ _ p279

v?