I wore a big leather boot to kick someone on a hot day, but now I am satisfied and kicked me to the ground.

In order to prevent suspicious readers from throwing this book into the corner, I want to clarify in time that this is not a news report. You won't meet all-knowing editors, novices and top reporters in the news pages of this city, exclusive news and nothing.

However, if readers allow me to put the background of the first scene in the interview room of Beacon Morning Post, I will definitely reciprocate and strictly abide by the above promise.

At that time, I wrote for the Lighthouse Morning Post and got a piece-rate salary, hoping to become a regular employee one day. I don't know who helped me clean a small space on a long table with a rake or shovel. The table was full of exchange publications, congressional records and old information books. I work there. I often wander in the street. I write everything when I see something whispering, yelling and laughing in the market, but my income is unstable.

One day, Tripp came in and leaned against my desk. Tripp works in the workshop. I think he has something to do with the picture, because he smells like plate-making medicine, and his hands always bear traces of acid soaking and burns. He is about twenty-five, but he looks forty. His face was half covered by short red curly hair, just like a brown cushion at the door, and the word "welcome" was erased. He is pale and unhealthy, showing a flattering look. He borrows money from others all day, and the amount is 25 1 yuan. One yuan is his maximum limit. He knows the limits of his credit, just as the National Chemical Bank analyzes the collateral and knows its moisture. When he sits on my desk, one hand holds the other hand tightly so that neither hand will tremble. This is the result of drinking whisky. He has an air of pretending not to care and pretending to be a hero, but he can't fool anyone, but it is useful when borrowing money, because this air is too pitiful and obvious.

On that day, I stubbornly received five shiny silver dollars from the cashier. As the editor of the Sunday edition, I reluctantly accepted the advance payment for my feature. So, although I don't feel at peace with the world, at least I have declared a truce to the world. I began to write the manuscript of the moonlight scenery of Brooklyn Bridge with great energy.

"Well, Tripp," I said, looking up at him impatiently, "what's the matter?" Today, he looks more miserable, shrinking, haggard and down than ever before. He is so pitiful and arouses your sympathy so strongly that you really want to kick him.

"Do you have a dollar?" Tripp asked with his most flattering expression. His dog-like eyes twinkled in the narrow space between a very tall tangled beard and a very low tangled hair.

"yes." I said; Then I repeated "I have", louder and more rude. "There are four more. I can tell you that it is difficult for me to get along with old Atkinson. My money, "I continued," is something to do, something to do, something urgent, and it needs exactly five dollars. "

I have to emphasize this point, because I have a hunch that I will lose a dollar at that time.

"I don't want to borrow it." Terry once said that it made a stone fall from my heart. "I want to give you a good close-up clue, and you will be satisfied." He went on to say. "I found a wonderful topic for you, enough to write a column. If you write it correctly. It must be beautiful. It may cost you one or two yuan to get this material. I don't want any benefits myself. "

I became more amiable. This structure proves that Tripp is grateful for the benefits I gave him in the past, even though he didn't repay it. If he had asked me for 25 cents, he would have got it.

"What kind of theme?" I pretended to be an editor and asked him with a pencil.

"I tell you," Terry once said, "about a girl. A beauty. Extremely beautiful. Rose buds with dewdrops, violets on moss-covered flower beds, you can describe them freely. She has lived on Long Island for twenty years and has never been to new york. I met her on 34th Street. She has just arrived in new york by ferry from Dongjiang. I'm telling you, she is a fascinating beauty. She stopped me in the street and asked me where I could find George Brown. Ask me how to find George Brown in new york! There is such a thing! "

"I chatted with her and knew that she would marry a plowman named Dodd-hiram Dodd next Thursday. But George Brown is still the first of her young fantasies. A few years ago, George oiled his cowhide boots and went to town to try his luck. But he forgot to go back to Grimborg, and hiram was chosen as the second. But in a pinch, Goda-the girl's name is Ida Lori-found a horse, rode eight miles to the railway station, and then took the 6: 45 train to new york. Come here, George. You know, you know the temper of women. George is not here, so she wants to find him.

"Well, you know, I can't let her run around the Hudson River alone in this city full of lechers. I think she thinks asking anyone will say,' George Brown? Oh, yes, let me see. He is a short man with blue eyes, isn't he? Oh, yes. George is on125th street, next to the grocery store. He works as a cashier in a harness shop. She is so naive and beautiful. Do you know that Grimborg is in a small waterside village on Long Island? There are only one or two duck farms for leisure and entertainment, and the income only depends on eight or nine summer tourists. That's where she came from. But hey, you should see her! "

"You said I have what way? I don't have the money for the night, and I don't remember what it was like. She bought a train ticket and spent all her pocket money. Only twenty-five cents left, and I bought gum. She is eating a paper bag of candy. I took her to a boarding house on 32nd Street where I lived and put her there. It cost a dollar to redeem her. This is the price of Grandma mcginnis's rent for one day. I will take you there. "

"What's this, Tripp?" I said. "Didn't you say you have close-up materials? There are many girls going to Long Island at every ferry on Dongjiang River. "

The wrinkles on Tripp's aging face deepened. You can see from his unkempt hair that his brow is furrowed.

He spread out his hands and stretched out his trembling index finger to emphasize his answer.

"Can't you see," he said, "what a wonderful close-up this material can write? You can write well. Around this love story, you know, describe the girl, add something about true love, insert some jokes, and dig at the long island people who have never seen the world. Well, you know how to write it anyway. Anyway, it's not a problem to change this article for fifteen yuan. As long as you spend about four dollars, you can make a net profit of eleven dollars. "

"Why should I spend four dollars?" I asked him doubtfully.

"Mrs. mcginnis has a dollar," Tripp answered at once. "The girl's journey home costs two yuan." "There is still one yuan?" I asked after a quick calculation.

"Give me a dollar," Tripp said. "Buy whisky. Will you do it or not? "

I smiled mysteriously and opened my arms as if I were going to continue writing what I was doing. But this indomitable, dejected, humble, pretending to be honest and unlucky cow can't get rid of it. His forehead suddenly became warm and bright.

"Don't you understand," he said calmly in despair, "that this girl must be sent home today? Not tonight, not tomorrow, but today. I can't help her. You know, I'm the concierge and communication secretary of the unlucky club. I think you can write an article based on this material and always get some money. But, anyway, don't you understand that she should go home before dark? "

At this time, I began to feel that heavy and depressing feeling, which is generally called responsibility. Why does this feeling fall on people's shoulders as a burden and burden? I knew that I was doomed that day, and a large part of my hard-earned money had to be taken out to help this Ida Lori. But I swore to myself that Tripp would never get the money to buy whiskey. He can generously use other people's money and do heroic deeds with mine, but he can't drink a lot of wine afterwards to commemorate my weakness. I put on my coat and hat with cold anger.

Tripp, who was courteous and flattering, tried to please me in vain, led me to the tram and went to the pawnshop in menstruation, mcginnis. I paid the fare. It seems that this Tangjihede who smells like collodion doesn't even have the smallest penny. Tripp rang the doorbell in front of a moldy red brick dormitory. Hearing the faint bell, his face turned white, just like a rabbit hearing the sound of a hunting dog, he bent down and was ready to jump up and run away at any time. I guess what kind of life he used to lead. He was frightened by the landlady's footsteps.

"Give me a dollar first, quick!" He said.

The door opened a crack six inches wide. Mcginnis menstruation stood there staring into a pair of eyes. I'm not wrong. It is white. A yellow face, a hand grabbed the collar of her dirty pink flannel pajamas to prevent it from spreading. Without saying a word, Tripp put the money under the door and bought us a way in.

"She's in the living room." Mrs mcginnis turned around and returned her pajamas to us.

In the middle of the dark living room, a girl sat at a cracked marble table, crying with satisfaction and chewing gum. She is a flawless beauty. Crying will only make her bright eyes more radiant. When she chews gum, you only think about the poetry of this action, and at the same time envy the unconscious candy. Five minutes after Eve was born, she must be like Miss Vida Lowe, who is 19 or 20 years old. Tripp introduced me and a piece of gum was left out in the cold. During this time, she showed a naive interest in me, just as a puppy might show interest in a crawling beetle or frog.

Tripp stood at the table, his fingers spread out on the table, just like a lawyer or emcee. In fact, he is nothing like a teacher. The collar of his faded coat was buttoned high, as if to cover up his lack of tie and shirt. I saw a pair of wandering eyes between his unkempt hair and beard, and I thought of a Scottish dog. For a moment, I felt it was a shame to be introduced to Tripp as a friend in front of such a victim. But Tripp obviously intends to preside over all the ceremonies, no matter what. Judging from his actions and gestures, I think he tried to impose this occasion on me as a newspaper feature. There is still a glimmer of hope that he will get the dollars for whisky from me.

"Miss Lori, my friend," I shivered, "Mr. Chalmers," Tripp said, "his opinion will be the same as what I just said. He is a reporter and can speak better than me. So I brought him here. "Oh, Tripp, do you need a glib speaker? He knows a lot of things, and he will tell you what is the most suitable. I sat in that rickety chair, actually supported by one leg. " Miss Lori, I was very angry at Tripp's clumsy opening remarks, and I had to say, "Of course I'm happy to help, but as I don't know the situation of this matter yet, I111"

"Oh," said Miss Lori with a firm smile, "it's not that serious. There's nothing wrong with it. This is my first visit to new york since I was five years old. I didn't expect new york to be so big. I met Mr. Tripp in the street and asked him about a friend of mine. He brought me here and told me to wait. "

"Miss Lori," Tripp said, "I suggest you tell Mr. Chalmers everything. He is my friend. " I'm used to it now. ) "He will tell you what to do, that's for sure."

"Of course." Miss IDA said to me while chewing gum. "In fact, there is nothing to say, that is, everything has been arranged. Let me marry hiram Dodd next Thursday night. He has 200 acres of land and a lot of land by the water. There is also a vegetable garden, which is one of the best on the island. But this morning I prepared a horse, a white horse called a dancer. I went to the railway station by bus. I told my family that I was going to Susan Adams' house for a day. I think this is a lie, but I don't care.

I went to new york by train. I met Mr Tripp in the street and asked him if he knew where I could find George. "

"Hello, Miss Lori," Tripp said loudly, when she was very rude and vulgar to him. "Do you like this young man hiram Dodd? He is very kind and good to you, isn't he? "

"Of course I like him." Miss Lori said. "He is very good, he treats me very well, of course. Everyone is very kind to me. "

I can swear. In Miss Ida Lori's life, all men will be very kind to her. They will rush to open an umbrella for her, help her with her luggage, pick up her handkerchief and treat her to soda.

"But," Miss Lori continued, "I thought of George last night, and I-"

Her blonde hair hung over two chubby hands clasped on the table. What a wonderful April storm! She sobbed heartily. I wish I could comfort her. But I'm not George. At the same time, I'm glad I'm not hiram. But I'm also sad.

The shower has been going on for a long time. She straightened up and looked brave and smiling. She will make a very good wife, because crying will only make her eyes brighter and gentler. She put a piece of gum in her mouth and began to tell her story.

"I think I may be stupid as hell," she sobbed, "but I can't help it. George Brown and I have been in love since he was eight, and I was five. He/Kloc-left Grimborg for the city at the age of 0/9-that was four years ago. He said he wanted to be a policeman or general manager of the railway or something, and then he came back to me. But I never heard from him again. But I, I like him again. "

It seemed that a second burst of tears was imminent, but Tripp stepped forward and blocked the gap. Damn it, I saw through his tricks. He wanted to make this occasion a close-up material to achieve his despicable purpose and profit from it.

"Come on, Mr. Chalmers," he said, "tell the lady what to do. That's what I told her. You just tell her. Go ahead. "

I bit, trying to suppress my anger at Tripp. I know, God, where my responsibility lies. I was tricked into a cunning trap by him, and now I can't get out. Tripp's first argument is fair and correct. Be sure to send this young lady back to Grimborg that day. Be sure to reason with her, convince her, reassure her, teach her how to do it, buy her a train ticket and send her back immediately. I hate hiram, I despise George; But the responsibility must be fulfilled. A lofty sense of responsibility is incompatible with a mere five dollars. But sometimes they can make up. My task is to be a prophet for a period of time, and then pay the travel expenses; So I pretended to be the conductor of Solomon and Long Island train tickets.

"Miss Lori," I said as beautifully as I could, "life is strange after all." I think these words are familiar to me. I hope miss Lori has never heard Mr. Cohen's lyrics. "We seldom marry our first lover. Our puppy love is covered with the strange brilliance of youth, which is often unconscious. " The last sentence smacks of cliche. "But those beautiful ideals cherished in our hearts," I went on to say, "no matter how unrealistic and illusory, they all cast a splendid afterglow for our future life. However, there are many realistic things in life besides dreams. People can't live by memories. Miss Loweree, I want to ask, if Mr. Dodd seems to be qualified in all aspects except sweet memories, do you think you can live a happy, that is, satisfactory and harmonious life with him? " "Oh, he's fine." Miss Lori replied. "I can have a good life with him. He promised to buy me a car and a motorboat, but in any case, as the wedding day drew near, I couldn't help thinking of George. Something must have happened to him, otherwise he should have written. On the day we parted, he and I cut a dime in half with a hammer and chisel. I took half and he took the other half. We made a wish that we would never forget each other and keep the two silver coins forever until we met again. My half is now hidden in the ring box in the dresser drawer at home. I think it foolish of me to come here to look for him. I didn't expect the city to be so big. "

At this time, Tripp interjected with a stern smile. He also wanted to collect some episodes and tidbits to get the poor dollars he longed for.

"Oh, those rural children came to the city and got carried away after seeing a little of the world. I guess George probably became a tramp, or he was stuck with another woman, or he ruined himself by drinking whiskey or betting on horses. You listen to Mr. Chalmers and go home. Everything will be fine. "

Now is the time to act. Because the hour hand is near noon. I glared at Tripp with a frown, and then reasoned with Miss Lori gently and philosophically, and convinced her in detail of the importance of going home at once. I also told her emphatically that she didn't need to tell hiram the miracle or fact that she came to this city that swallowed up the unfortunate George. Even if she doesn't say it, it won't affect her future happiness.

She said that she hung the horse (unlucky beast) on a tree near the railway station. Tripp and I told her to get on the patient horse as soon as she got to the station and go home as soon as possible. After that, she will say that she and Susan Adams had a good time. She can say hello to Susan. I don't think it's a problem, and then she'll be fine.

At this time, the beautiful scenery in front of me made my heart smart, and I became enthusiastic about this adventure. The three of us rushed to the ferry terminal, and I found that the fare to Grimborg was only one yuan and eighty cents. I bought a ticket and used the remaining twenty cents to buy a bunch of red roses for Miss Lori. We put her on the ferry, stood on the dock, and watched her wave her handkerchief at us until she became an almost invisible little white spot. Then Tripp and I looked at each other and returned to this world, dry and cold, left in the shadow of the bleak reality of life.

The charm created by beauty and love is fading away. I looked at Tripp and almost laughed.

He is more distressed, contemptible and worse than ever before. I fiddled with the two silver dollars left in my pocket and looked at him with my eyes half closed contemptuously. He barely pretended to be able to resist for a while.

"Can't you write a close-up with this material?" He asked me huskily. "Even if it is part of it, at least it is a close-up?"

"I can't write a word." I said. "If I take this shit, I can imagine what Grims's face will become. But we finally helped the young lady, which is probably the only thing that can be regarded as our reward. "

"I'm very sorry." Tripp said that her voice was almost inaudible. "I'm sorry, I let you spend money. Well, I think I found a good topic, I mean, a material that can be written into a quite wonderful close-up. "

"Let's forget it," I said with a commendable smile. "Let's go back through the city by tram."

I swore not to let him say his obvious wishes. No matter how tough he is, he will never get the dollar he craves. I've had enough of this injustice. Tripp feebly untied his coat with faded patterns and worn edges, put his hand into a pocket like a hole, and it was difficult to reach for what used to be a handkerchief. When he pulled it out, I saw the flash of a cheap silver-plated bracelet hanging on his vest. There was something hanging on the bracelet. I reached out and grabbed it curiously. That's a silver coin with a chisel.

"Why?" I said, staring at him hard.

"Oh, yes." He said suddenly. "I'm George Brown, also known as Tripp. What's the use? "

Except for the Christian Women's Prohibition League, who doesn't agree that I will immediately take out a dollar to buy whiskey for Tripp and put it into his hand without hesitation?