Uncle William

r of floating-of decayed vegetables and engine-grease and dirt. It was the universal port-smell the world over, and Uncle William took it in in leisurely whiffs as he watched the play of

hat has brought them to port, gripsack in hand. There are innumerable details-duties, inspections and quarantines, and delays and questionings. The sea

s in hundreds of ports. The city bubbling and calling outside had no bewilderments for Uncle William. New York was only one more foreign port, and he had touched too many to have fear of them. They were all alike-exorbitant cab-men, who came down on their fare if you stood by your box and refused to let it be lifted till terms were made; rum-shops and gambling-holes, and worse, hedging the way from the wharf; soiled women haunting one's steps, if one halted a bit or turned to the right or left in indecision. He had talked with women of every port. They were a huge band, a great sis

oung feller a lift?" Uncle Willia

"That's all right." He moved along on th

imbed up wit

suggested Uncle William. "H

on him, sir." The van rumbled away and

recalled his face sometimes at night, as they wakened for a minute from sleep. The big smile reached

kind of gnome of usefulness. But his great frame gave him advantage. He was like a mountain among them-w

m the simplicity, common to big men, of being the thing next at hand. Like a force of nature he laid hold on it, and out of the ground and the sky an

t's rooms, and his rap at the door, gentle as

was the querulous

jar with his foot while he r

ing at the door. In the dim light from the s

there," he said soothingly. "I guess I'd lie down." He put hi

ing at him with wide eyes. "Who-are-y

epened. "I guess ye know

re at him. "You came throug

iam. "'T wa'n't locked any mo

ook broke. "I though

l, I

y. Sit down." He look

ending forward a little. One big hand rested on the young

mile. He drew a deep breath. "Yes-y

m. His big bulk had not stirre

in it. His eyes clos

ed. "Sick folks ge

the fever-and you-" The voi

se slowed-and leaped again-and fluttered, and fell at last to even bea

, his face had a kind of gentleness-a kindliness and bigness that wat