Chapter 35

I was soon near out of money and at my wit's end, but my will was
unconquered. In this plight I ran upon Fogarty, the policeman who
had been the good angel of my one hopeful day in journalism. His
manner invited my confidence.

'What luck?' said he.

'Bad luck' I answered. 'Only ten dollars in my pocket and nothing
to do.'

He swung his stick thoughtfully.

'If I was you,' said he, 'I'd take anything honest. Upon me wurred,
I'd ruther pound rocks than lay idle.'

'So would I.'

'Wud ye?' said he with animation, as he took my measure from
head to foot.

'I'll do anything that's honest.'

'Ah ha!' said he, rubbing his sandy chin whiskers. 'Don't seem like
ye'd been used if hard wurruk.'

'But I can do it,' I said.

He looked at me sternly and beckoned with his head.

'Come along,' said he.

He took me to a gang of Irishmen working in the street near by.

'Boss McCormick!' he shouted.

A hearty voice answered, 'Aye, aye, Counsellor,' and McCormick
came out of the crowd, using his shovel for a staff.

'A happy day if ye!' said Fogarty.

'Same if youse an' manny o' thim,' said McCormick.

'Ye'll gi'me one if ye do me a favour,' said Fogarty.

'An' what?' said the other.

'A job for this lad. Wull ye do it?'

'I wall,' said McCormick, and he did.

I went to work early the next morning, with nothing on but my
underclothing and trousers, save a pair of gloves, that excited the
ridicule of my fellows. With this livery and the righteous
determination of earning two dollars a day, I began the inelegant
task of 'pounding rocks no merry occupation, I assure you, for a
hot summer's day on Manhattan Island.

We were paving Park Place and we had to break stone and lay
them and shovel dirt and dig with a pick and crowbar.

My face and neck were burned crimson when we quit work at five,
and I went home with a feeling of having been run over by the
cars. I had a strong sense of soul and body, the latter dominated by
a mighty appetite. McClingan viewed me at first with suspicion in
which there was a faint flavour of envy. He invited me at once to
his room, and was amazed at seeing it was no lark. I told him
frankly what I was doing and why and where.

'I would not mind the loaning of a few dollars,' he said, 'as a matter
o' personal obligement I would be most happy to do it - most
happy, Brower, indeed I would.'

I thanked him cordially, but declined the favour, for at home they
had always taught me the danger of borrowing, and I was bound to
have it out with ill luck on my own resources.

'Greeley is back,' said he, 'and I shall see him tomorrow. I will put
him