Cinder Path Tales

1/2 CINDER-PATH TALES in the Bowery district. The boysadmit the scent isnot strong, but anticipate good sport in the hunt, whether they bagthe game or not. There is always fun with Paddy, for though hehas become a mighty knowing man on cinder-path and track, andis not as green as when he tackled the " ghostly hurdler," he is a delicious bit still. He appearsa moment after, the" Knight of the Rake and Roller," accompanied by Tom ;and judging from the aroma that clings to them, the necessary precautionshave been taken against the baleful influences of the night air. Tom is as happy and sanguine as ever, shakes me by the hand as if my arm was a pump-handle in midsummer, and imme­ diately protests thatnot a step will he take out of the house unless I go with him. At thisthey all insist that the partywill be incomplete without me. I must go, or I shall break up the party andspoil sport. After considerable resistance, which I admit now was assumed, Iconsented at last. The truth was that, while I had not trained as had the boys, Ihad given many months of care and anxiety to them, andreally wanted a bit of a fling myself. I knew very wellwhat the little walk would lead up to, but reasoned that the boys werebound to get into trouble, and that