the despotic days of fiddling Nero than those of advanced
civilization under the constitution of the new republic.

While waiting for a car that would take her to the hospital, Chiquita
noticed numbers of men in rather shabby attire approach better clad
individuals and after a little conversation each would go his way. In
some instances the better dressed speaker put his hand in his pocket and
handed the other a coin. Then the latter waited a time before accosting
another and then another. Oftener would the better dressed individual
shake his head, even savagely repulsing the appeal of his less fortunate
brother. One of these solicitors-at-alms, for such they were, approached
Chiquita, and as she presented no frowning or repellant mien, he
politely doffed his cap and explained in a few words his mission.

"Pardon me, lady, I am unfortunate, I am out of work and have no place
to sleep tonight. I have three cents; for five cents I can get a bed.
Will you give me a penny? I will get another somewhere."

Closely scanning the man's face she saw not the hardened lines of
dissipation, not the pallor of the convict nor the attenuated features
of a cripple, but a young man in good health, decently clad, though in
rather threadbare clothing. Chiquita had seen hundreds of men brought
into the hospital of all grades and callings and had become an adept as
a student of human nature. The man before her did not shift his eyes nor
stand irresolute, but the mournful voice and drooping mouth told only
too plainly that discouraging, despondent tale thrust so suddenly upon a
prosperous nation in 1893.

"Why are you without work?" asked Chiquita.

"Canceled orders and help laid off indefinitely," replied the young man.

"Why were the orders canceled?"

"I don't know exactly, but Wall street and free silver had something to
do with it."

"Had you no money saved up to fall back upon at such a time?"

"Yes, ma'am; but the savings bank went to the wall and my three hundred,
which I had been five years getting together, went with it."

"Can't you get a job as porter rather than beg?"

"There's a thousand men waitin' for all the 'porter' jobs. Lady, you
don't know it, but half the population of this country is out of work."

"Where can you get a bed for a nickel?" asked Chiquita, dubiously.

"On the west side at one of the 'Friendship' houses."

"You mean a whole bed and room by yourself?"

"Oh, no, lady, just a shelf to lie on, p