The Portland daily press., 1876-09-30

81 want to thank you for all the good which
L have got from your writings"
The great man looked at him suspiciously;
he thought he was going to be asked for an
autograph.
His guest went on earnestly
81 hope that 1 have not been wrong in
coming to you but won't you tell me what
to do?"
"What to do?" repeated the other, on
whose open countenance wigs a strange mix
ture of embarrassment and dawning gratifi-
cation.
81 mean, what to do with my hfe.''
'Live it," said Mr.. Damon, on the spur of
the moment and with happy Renaissance
of one of his early sayings. 1t sounded well,
and he repeated it in deeper tone, olive
it." Nor did it fail to make an impression
on my friend. He thought it over. Then,
as he saw his host grow calm after his in.
spired utterance, and settle himself in his
chair, he felt that he lad established his foot
ing, and prepared to enlarge on his difficult
ties. As he warmed with the subject he
grew almost eloquent. He spoke of his
strong desire to do something which should
add in some way to the public good; and
said how hard It was to find the right thing
to do. Philanthropy, even when harmless,
could but cleanse one house in city OF cor
ruption. Craftsmanship seemed little more
than the science of getting place. Business
was mere race for comforts, or substitute
for the gaming house. The mission of art
was to tickle the fat ribs OF the stall-fed finan
cier; that of literature, to charm away those
Idle hours of the hectic matron which were
not devoted to millinery or filtration. Such,
briefly, was the talk of John, who, I confess,
was at times no wiser than other clever
youths. who are apt to be intoxicated by the
sudden consciousness of their own cleverness
and by the nimbleness of their tongues.
Only he is unlike them all. He is so truly
enthusiastic and warm hearted. He Is such
really fine fellow.
As Mr.. Damon listened to his guests
speech, his attention became by degrees more
and more closely fixed. He had heard good
deal which was very like it. Indeed, as he
listened, there dawned again for him day
in his own youth when, with crust of bread
and an apple in his pocket, he had roamed
from morning till nightfall among the West
moreland hills, sometimes raving in verse.
and sometimes wondering why nobody had
come to set the clumsy world to rights be-
fore.
Yet he felt stir about his heart which he
had not experienced since he tried his first
electric bath ten years before. The tones of
the brave young voice were like wine to him.
Gradually one thought became predominant
in his mind. He forgot that the boy was ask
ing for help, as he wondered whether he
could get help from the boy. Was it possible
that his old faith, which he had never aban-
doned, but which had so long been dead
heap on which criticisms might be founded
was it possible that the mass could glow
again? If be could but get regular doses of
this fresh enthusiasm, what might he not &C.
complish even now? The solemn criticisms
with which occupied himself daily seemed to
him in his unwonted mood heavy as dough.
He remembered the works of his youth and
OF his prime; and heard the echo of old
praises. He remembered plans long since
abandoned for COMPRISING all lite into a
work OF fiction, or living in the lives of the
many diverse characters of that great drama
which had never been written. Suddenly he
remembered great trunk full of papers which
had stood untouched for many years! As he
was thinking OF this trunk John finished his
confession and leaned forward in his chair,
waiting for advice. Mr.. Damon looked at
the flushed cheeks and bright eyes before
him and felt that he had found tonic, He
pulled himself together and sat up in his
chair.
at is very interesting" said he.
but what shall do? ?" asked John.
"Ah, that is the question:" remarked the
other, solemnly; and then added. as il sud-
denly inspired: "Come and see me again,
Come any day-every da7-in fact tomor-
row. | shouldslike to talk to your
And you will give me something to do ?'
cried the young man, much elated.
"Ah, yes, to be sure. Something to do,
eh? Come again-yes, come again to NOR
row at eleven. We must see more of each
other. Good morning.
"Good morning." said John, starting up,
as be found himself dismissed. sAnd YOU
will tell me tomorrow what am to do ?' he
asked.
YES, tomorrow, tomorrow. Come to-
morrow. come-in fact, at eleven"
ITO BE CONTINTrED