OnhisbenchinMadisonSquareSoapymoveduneasily,andwhenSoapymovesuneasilyonhisbenchinthepark,youmayknowthatwinterisnear.
AdeadleaffellinSoapy'slap.ThatwasJackFrost'scard.JackiskindtotheregularresidentsofMadisonSquare,andgivesthemwarningofhisannualcall.
Soapyrealizedthefactthatthetimehadcomeforhimtoprovideagainstthecomingwinter.Andthereforehemoveduneasilyonhisbench.
ThewinterambitionsofSoapywerenotofthehighest.InthemtherewerenodreamsofMediterraneanvoyages,ofblueSouthernskiesortheVesuvianBay.ThreemonthsontheIslandwaswhathissouldesired.Threemonthsofassuredboardandbedandgoodcompany,safefromnorthwindsandpolicemen,seemedtoSoapythemostdesirablething.
ForyearsthehospitableBlackwellprisonhadbeenhiswinterrefuge.JustasthemorefortunateNewYorkershadboughttheirticketstoPalmBeachandtheRivieraeachwinter,soSoapyhadmadehisarrangementsforhisannualjourneytotheisland.Andnowthetimehadcome.OnthenightbeforethreeSundaynewspapers,putunderhiscoat,abouthisfeetandoverhislap,hadnothelpedhimagainstthecoldashesleptonhisbenchnearthefountainintheoldsquare.ThereweremanyinstitutionsofcharityinNewYorkwherehemightreceivelodgingandfood,buttoSoapy'sproudspiritthegiftsofcharitywereundesirable.Youmustpayinhumiliationofspiritforeverythingreceivedatthehandsofphilanthropy.Soitwasbettertobea