The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1869-05-07
A NHORNTNGGLORY.
BY MARY l.. B0LLES.

think was never more surprised in my
life than when, about month ago, Frank
Esterhazy came rushing into my Office in his
old, joyous, off hand way. aud after crush
ing hard shake, began to tumble my papers
about, and play with my kees just as natur-
ally as if he hadn't been in South America
for the last three years, out OF every bodyS
reach, and almost out of everybody's mind.
! 1t fairly made me feel like boy again to
see Frank sitting there telling his adventures.
He had led rowing life back and forth be-
tween Chilli aud Peru, it seemed, seizing
every opportunity for trade; now with
United States goods, and now with native
dimonds; aud he hal something TO do with
that great railroad that leaped mountain
gorge, planned by one Of his own country's
engineers. Frank had made fair fortune
| by il all, in ingots and ducats, aid all man
ner of foreign reckoning. and here he was.
fine hronzed fellow Of twenty-nine, in the
very glory of life, all the drudgery done,
with the world before him where to choose.
| Meanwhile | had my own little history.
and Frank wanted to hear all that-the i'll
paid clerkship. the love in n cottage, the
| starting ont at last in small, cautious
business of my own--the hopes, the fears
and the dear home rcigned over by my own
Gertic, and Tiny Tot, Cur precious youngstcr.
| invit' Frank to stay and go up to dinner
with me, to see my houshold goods for HIM
self
But, no! he was in a great hurry to leave
the cty-meant to 90 off ny the next train,
up to Il little village two hundred miles dis
tant, where some of his felix's used to live
That as much like home as any place, he
said, and he was restless-must go at once.
He was in glorious spirits, took the most
cheerful view of life, told me not to be dis
couraged, there was good time coming yet;
and so, in all the bravery OF good fortune,
off he went, and heard no more of him till
last Thursday.
On Thursday, he came into my Office again,
and all his good spirits seemed to be dashed
out of him. lie sat down in a languid way,
kept staring out of the window as ii he
wasn't interested in anythng-said he found
his aunts still living up in the village, but
it was a confounded dull little place; in fact,
everything seemed lonesome and strange to
him. and he meant to 60 back 10 Chilli first
chance, or to Peru.
"a man has something to make him for
get himself thore!' he said. "Theres al
| ways a revolution going on, or an earth
quake!'
| suggested to him not TO be discouraged;
there was good time coming yet But he
deigred no answer, and sat there smoking
one segar after another, looking as aimless
. and gloomy as perfectly well man can ever
possibly look went on posting my books,
and wondered what could have happened to
cut the poor fellow up so. When business
was over, | urged him 70 go home to dinner
with me, for / thought maybe IA sight of
Gertie and Tot would cheer him up little.
He held back some, but | took him along
with me- finally.
If Gertie and have a bobby, it is our
home. Every nook and corner in it is Gear
to us; aud it has been such a pleasure to fur
nish it all, and to get one little comfort N
luxury after another, as our means allowed.
And Gertie is a prime little manager; feel
proud of her whenever any of my friends
drop in to see how we get along.
Gertie was at the window watching, with
her hoy in her a'ms and came to meet us,
| welcoming Esterhazy as charmingy as pos
sible. Frank is too gentlemanly fellow to
| be morose before ladies', SO he made him
self agreeable, and really got INTO quite a
frolc with Tot after dinner. But when the
child was sent off to bed, then the melancholy
look deepened down in his eyes again, ard
that combined with his winning Difference
and ready kindness, completely won Gerties
sympathy; and she exerted herself to make
the evening pass pleasantly to him.
| ITuilh "' SohS " oN' ~
knick, knacks in the parlor--a tiny Swiss
carving or two, green bronze OF an imp,
and pair of Italian statuet,es.
IL have some trihes in my trunk, he said
to us, "that will just suit your fancy. I'll
make you present of them, Dick-some
queer Indian puzzles, and set of chessmen
cut in ivory, real little miracles in their
way"
Gertie's eyes shone, for she loved dainty
oddities, and is real virtuoso in her limited
way.
Frank crossed the room to look at little
picture hanging between the windows. 1t
was a very choice chrome of one of Turner's
paip:ings, and got up to explain its beau
ties. | was an ardent Ruskinite when
bought it.
"Notice the spray" said, ''and the shat
tered sunshine, and see how the thick gold
en- leaves hang trembling over the water -
There's flash of the true artist fire in that
-eh, Frank!
He seemed to feel no interest IN it at all
4 beg your pardou,' he saids wearily; 4
believe my thoughts were wandering wheI