欧亨利短篇小说集(11)

ForyearsthehospitableBlackwellprisonhadbeenhiswinterrefuge.JustasthemorefortunateNewYorkershadboughttheirticketstoPalmBeachandtheRivieraeachwinter,soSoapyhadmadehisarrangementsforhisannualjourneytotheisland.Andnowthetimehadcome.OnthenightbeforethreeSundaynewspapers,putunderhiscoat,abouthisfeetandoverhislap,hadnothelpedhimagainstthecoldashesleptonhisbenchnearthefountainintheoldsquare.ThereweremanyinstitutionsofcharityinNewYorkwherehemightreceivelodgingandfood,buttoSoapy"sproudspiritthegiftsofcharitywereundesirable.Youmustpayinhumiliationofspiritforeverythingreceivedatthehandsofphilanthropy.Soitwasbettertobeaguestofthelaw.
Soapy,havingdecidedtogototheIsland,atoncesetaboutaccomplishinghisdesire.Thereweremanyeasywaysofdoingthis.Thepleasantestwastodineatsomegoodrestaurant;andthen,afterdeclaringbankruptcy,behandedovertoapoliceman.Amagistratewoulddotherest.
SoapylefthisbenchandwentoutofthesquareandupBroadway.Hestoppedatthedoorofaglitteringcafe.Hewasshavenandhiscoatwasdecent.Ifhecouldreachatableintherestaurant,theportionofhimthatwouldshowabovethetablewouldraisenodoubtinthewaiter"smind.Aroastedduck,thoughtSoapy,withabottleofwine,andthensomecheese,acupofcoffeeandacigarwouldbeenough.Suchadinnerwouldmakehimhappy,forthejourneytohiswinterrefuge.