The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1871-08-10
HAMILTON BROTHERS.

We did not think it worth while to
light the gas, as we were going out
again. So we sat and talked in the fire.
light, Frank and L, just as we had sat
and talked a hundred times before in the
busy, backward years which we two
brothers had spent together. But this
evening, for the first time, we talked
without dropping into that utterly rest
full silence, which only those can enjoy
who understand each other well f; per-
haps, indeed, only those who love each
other dearly. 1t had been busy day,
but for me its work had been light, in
anticipation of the pleasure the evening
was to bring. 1t was Lettice Oldfeld's
birthday, and we were to keep it to-
night at the Dome House. had been
walking all day, yet when the penciled
cross was put against the last name on
my list of town patients, 1 entered our
quiet sitting room, feeling nothing of
fatigue or hunger; feeling only that,
after an hours rest, the chief Joy which
the world held for me would be mine
1 should be with Lettice. But while I
sat opposite Frank, and watched the
freight playing on his face, slowly
there crept into my heart something
that was as far deeper than fatigue or
hunger as our thoughts were deeper
than the idle words we spoke-a feeling
which vaguely knew must be pity
but whether for myself or Frank l could
not tell.
Suddenly looking up, Frank met my
eyes fixed upon his moody face, and run
nlng his fingers lazily through his curly
hair, he laughed; but his laugh bod not
its old warm, careless ring.
How we'll Bent seems to be getting
on out in Melbourne, Max" he said.
"His letter to you is filled with his own
prosperity"
at seems to me merely written to ask
if we could send him out an assistant"
1 answered, speaking lightly; for I did
not want tonight to hear Frank COM
planning of our lot. He had lately got
into the way OF seeming discontented
with the struggle of his life, and I had
failed in every argument with him.
up by our dispensary duties, which
brought us in just eighty pounds year;
and only very slowly and gradually
could we make our own practice in Red
bury. So, knowing Frank loved the old
,wn dearly, and hal chosen his own
profession, felt there was nothing for
us to do but to struggle on; and he was
weary of hearing me tell him that.
"Of course you do not know any as
sistant to send out to Bent" Frank said,
turning his eyes to the fire again, and
speaking with slow petulance. "The
poorest young surgeons of your ac-
quaintance are Hamilton Brothers, and,
thank Heaven, we have not yet fallen
quite 80 low as to exile ourselves volun-
tarily as drug mixers to Bent. l would
not change quarters with him for any
consideration, but l fear l envy his sue
cess. You must own, Max, that it is
hard fighting mere"
80 it is everywhere, in any profess
sion, just at first," answered, quietly.
"There is but one thing we can do.
However small our income, we can live
down to it, and work hard to increase it.
That, take it, is the secret of success,
Frank. Now, do not let us think about
these things tonight. Why should we
take gloomy faces to the Dome House,
to greet Lettice on her birthday"
You never will think seriously about
our poverty" Frank replied without Of
ferlng TO move; his head bent in the
caressing hrelight, his gaze deep in
among the ruddy Goals. "But think
of it seriously-aye, and hopelessly, too
day and night. How am 1 to-marry
on such pittance as we possess now 2"
Very slowly the burning crimson rose
to my face, though no eyes could see it.
ave can talk of that" said, as gen
tly as could, "when you want to mar
ry."
"You speak as if we were boys" he
answered impatiently. "I am more
than fve-and-twenty now, and Lettice
is eighteen to-day. Isn't she|
"Yes. Eighteen to-day
The words were uttered clearly in the
silence, but my own voice sounded unfa-
miliar to me. 1 tried to read his face,
but my eyes ached SO sadly in their ca
gerness that raised my hand and COW
cred them.