The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1871-09-09
Albang Register.
WHY 3
BY FALCoNDRIDGE.

Mr. Siiepley. SIX.
''Well, john"
ss'rhere's gentleman who woald
like to see you, sir"
S'Show him in.a
I had amused myself almost to
sleep ON that December afternoon
the dull gray clouds bad ghastly
look about them, and the blast had
the shrek of demon in it, and be-
tween the two, the play of the
clouds and the wild notes of natures
orchestra, had well nigh dropped
off to sleep.
lis this Mr.. Shepley, sir 80
The speaker was man of mag
nifeeut figure, with iron gray hair,
and what we would call Ristia-
que air about him. He had re-
moved his hat. and stood hesitat-
ing.
sit is pray be seated"
The man sat down, 4 splendid
figure shining out against tie dark
background of the dingy office,
while streak of sunshine sliim-
mered through the window and fell
on his face.
1sThe demons seem let loose out
of doors today" | said. [ had
been coiljur;ng up strange fal.cies
before he come III, aid bad almost
forgotten my visitor as spoke.
"Thev are let loose, they ere let
loose" As he spoke a cloud came
between him and the warm eun-
shine, leaving his face i'll shadow.
There was something more inter
esting than clouds to study the
man has evidently some perrlexine
egal difficulties. aud lac has come t.
the firm of sheplay & Pearson to
have it solved. lie sl.all not be dis
appointed. | resolved, mentally.
.'I zee You advertise for copy.
iSt," went ON the man. Il desire
the situation"
I'started when Ire began the sen
tenee. "You, SIR | managed t,
stammer, "a copyi>t ~
The man evidently observed th'
look of astonishment that brok,
over my face.
81 have been to twenty places to
day. SIR, ',lo work-an full, aid IT,
swash of the rain on the window
pane outside and his voice Lad
hopeleSsiiess III them.
-.Do You see that wind take tha
limb,' continued the man iittl
slower, show it writhes and twist
aid struggles, every leaf str.ppe
from it? ! am IN tile grasp OF
demon fiercer than tie wilds. 1t
followed me for forty years. Their
as the limb wei.t down with crasl
s-i'm afraid that will be the eli
of me-"
"You shall lave the situation,
said earnestly, for | saw it was /
legal perplexity, but a problem ol
a. eternity, and that held III its
sues tie destiny of a soul.
The sun came out just then al
fell across his face again, 1.-THE IA
off gentleman" you said ind
tinctly; the profile of some Gree
philosopher cut in marble, could Ii
look nobler.
"The sunshine again." / sa
pleasantly.
"Yes," he said, abscntly 'can
begin my work now ;"
And SO it came about that t
quiet gentleman you have not:c'
In the corner always b,isily at wo
became my copyist, always the c,
tured man of the world, always ]
spending to my essays at convers
ton politely aid wisely, aid vet
lent If left to himself; there seem
to stalk along with him a gr
shadow. ssWhy was he only
copyist %
/ ventured as much as this o
day. The work he had done for
was executed with such rare SKI
anticipating any explanation, off
suggesting some improvements
matter of method, and yet with
much courtesy that one could ]
be offended. "Wby," asked, v
he only copyist -
ssGod knows" and the man sh
cred, and then bowed himself uI
the table. When he looked
hG6M 6ttCiAlPeStt " APoios5tNS,
he stopped me with, 81 don't W,
der; you're not the only one Il
has asked me why when ! wrote
and then he stopped, but ! v
called away just then.
/ never questioned him again,
knew tragedy was behind it
as there is behind many white fac
He was at the time Mr..
book was making a sensation
body knew who was the auth'
the papers and reviews were full
praise and criticism. / had ol
spoken of the volume to him.
evaded the subject at first. | KIN
him TO be fine critic, and uI,thil
ingly pressed the subject, and I'll
be gave me such q burst Of fer
biting sarcaan on the book, thai
was struck dumb for tbs nome
for the book was really sornethi
wonderful II itx way.