Towards democracy

A Mightier than Mammon 399

And this is of a poor lad born in the slums, who with ‘aching lonely heart once walked the streets of London.

Many spoke to him because he was fair—asked him to come and have a drink, and so forth; but still it was no satisfaction to him; for they did not give him that which he needed.

Then one day he saw a face in which love dwelt. It Was a man twice his own age, captain of a sailing vessela large free man, well acquainted with the world, capable and kindly.

And the moment the lad saw him his heart was given ‘to him, and he could not rest but must needs follow the man up and down

yet daring not to speak to him, and the other knowing nothing of it all.

And this continued—till the time came for the man-

‘to go another voyage. Then he disappeared; and the youth, still not knowing who or whence he was, fell into worse misery and loneliness than ever, for a whole year.

Till at last one day—or one evening rather—to his reat joy he saw his friend going into a public house. It ‘was in a Jittle street off Mile-end Road. He slipped in and sat beside him.

And the man spoke to him, and was kind, but nothing more. And presently, as the hour was getting late, got up wand said Goodnight, and ,went out at the door.

And the lad, suddenly seized with a panic fear that he might never see his friend again, hurried after him, and when they came to a quiet spot, ran up and seized him by the