The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1876-05-18
Jack Everson's Return.
BY FLORENCE p. ALLEN.

was only senior clerk in the lower office of
the old firm
shall relate iust what occurred without
single addition or deduction. Those who
know me will not doubt my word, and
those who do not know me, will not accuse
me OF an attempt to deceive them, when
assure them on my honor that what | re-
late certainly took place.
am constrained to speak OF myself
more than is my habit, for it is of Jack
Everson, my dearest, and, in fact, the only
| friend | ever had, of whose return am to
| tell At my fathers death was left alone
Ill the world with the exception of a sister
several years Older than myself, and a half
uncle, who was appointed my guardian.
| Uncle RufuS was hard, misery man with
no love Tor his half brothers. children, and
| he disposed OF us, and our affairs, as quick
| ly as possible. Sarah WAS found a situation
as English assistant in school. and was
| sent to college with the understanding
that | was to study hard. get through as
| quickly as possible, and alter the compile
| ton of my college course. take all the re-
| sponsbilty Of myself off his hands.
1t was during the first OF my second
year that !, going up the dark, narrow
stairway leading to my room. with my
arms full of books, met Jack Everson for
the first time. As was passing him. my
foot caught. and | nearly fell, but recov-
cred myself at the expense Of dropping
my entire burden.
had scarcely looked at him until then,
but as he bent to assist me in recovering
my scattered property, | glanced at him
turtiyely, and as he Strengthened himself
hnrr and look cd of 1,rt h hic vida hi
eyes, | could not help smiling back at
yet 50 boyish-looking.
Thanks" | said, hesitatingly, wanting
to say something more, and hardly know
ing how to express myself.
You are very welcome" he answered,
and then, the cololing deepening in his
fresh face. II am new boy, sir. Can you
tell me where | am to room ~
| could scarcely repress a smile as |
heard this wly-admitted collegian cali
ing himself so candidly ''a new boy" but
| do not betray my amusement,
I'VE are pretty full now.n l said. You
will probably room with some one else
Have YOU no direction ,"
He handed me slip OF paper on which
was written i'll Professor Henrys bold
hand, "Apstruther, No. l5,' and looked
at him with q new interest
Il am George Anstruther,' | said, and
then he raised his haI in a gentlemanly
way, which c0ntrasted oddly with his bow
isn appearance.
Il am John Reginald Everson, common
" called jack I hope we shall be
friends
Il hope We shall" | answered, with a
cOrdlality which was unusual with me, for
there was something about The handsome
young fellow that impressed me tavorably,
and laughing, he took part OF my books
from my heavy ladened arms, and follow
ed me to my room.
1t was almost wonderful, the friendship
which sprung up between my roommate
and myself; we were SO dttereut in every
way | was silent and reserved, even in
childhood" "sullen' and moody my IA
ther and sister had always called me; and
as my mother-the only one who had ever
understood NEEDED while | was very
young, had grown more undemonstrative
and self-constrained every year. | was
grave and taciturn. fond Of study, caring
little for company or gayety, while Jack
was Just the reverse. lie was thoughtless,
light-hearted, and rollicking, full Of the
oldest Whims and fancies, and always the
first in any mischievous trolc, and the rul-
ing spirit of the ''good times among the
other students. 1t was indeed wonderful
how we grew to love each other as we
did. Everybody liked Jack, from the fresh
est of the freshmen to the most dienified
Of the professors; and everybody was
heartily sorry when, on the death of his
father, he LETT college and did not return.
For the next year or two | saw nothing
OF HIM | obtained a situation as unior
clerk in the lower office OF law-tirm in
New y 1ork, and worked steadily and faith
fully, hoping for promotion. | was wretch
edly lonesome i'll the great city. for it was
not easy to break through my habitual re-
serve and make new friends. But one eve
ming. as | sat in my dreary room at my
boarding house, almost overpowered by
my loneliness, "A gentleman to see you,
Sir" reused me, and |. wondering who 1t
might be, went down into the parlor.
Could it be Jack Everson who rose to
| meet me? | almost doubted my own eyes,
but the cordial college grip" assured me
that it really was. and / was more glad
than | could tell to see the dear fellow
again. ] could scarcely realize that it real
tered. He had left college as boyish and
figure and broad shoulders, but the years
since had changed him greatly.
How handsome he was My admiration
| for him was almost womanish, and star
| ed at his bright face, with its wide honest
eyes, its heavy, dropping moustache. and
its crown of golden hair, until he fairly
laughed at me. He remained in New York
that winter, and we roomed together as
we had done in college That was the
happiest winter of my life; but when
spring came, Jack, seeing, as he thought,
business chance in the West, LETT me
once more, hopeful, lighthearted, and san
| guine as eyer.
| | heard from him at intervals during the
after years, and he seemed to be doing
! finely in his new home but one day there
came, figuratiyely, thunderbolt into my
| quiet life-Jack was married
| did not believe it at first, not until
long letter came from Jack himself, SO full
Of genuine happiness and overtlowing with
descriptions of the dearest little girl in
the world" (she was girl from Maine,
by the way, who had gone west as
teacher, that stitled the feeling of regret
which rose in my heart, and sent my love
and best wishes to Jack and his young
wife
About year after that, little daughter
was born to the young couple, and then
not month after, the news came that
Jack-strong. healthy, handsome Jack
had been stricken with fever, and, after
a short illness, was dead.
No mother could have mourned more
sincerely over the death OF her best-be-
loved child than did over the death OF nv
only friend. / was never lovable man
myself, and when Jack was no more,
felt that was entirely alone, and that his
vacant place would never be filled. l
should never marry, l should never have
another friend like the one had lost; but
when the first shock was over, thought
of the young wife with no one but her
baby to comfort her in her great sorrow
alone in strange land-and felt that it
was my duty to care for her.
| I uroto hor of opoo offoripr hor opv n,