The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1876-11-02

For the next ten minutes nothing was
said, until Peter, having finished his
paper, laid it down and asked: "How do
| you find business, sir?7
very good, very good" answered
Archie; sand you, sir, how do you find
"l can't complain-irs very fair" re-
piled Peter.
This opened general conversation,
and before the evening had passed the
basis OF an enduring friendship was laid
by these two strange men. They had
treated each other and smoked the pipe
of peace. Peter thought Archie an un-
common nice man, and Archie censid-
cred Peter a very agreeable mainland
both were pleased.
Fortwenty-fvey years these two friends
never missed passing an evening in
each others company at the Eagle Inn.
Their attachment grew day by day, and
increased with every pipe and pot, until
in feeling and taste they became as one
man. Such was the identity of spirit
uality in them that the same body might
have served for both.
There was no corner of Arehie's mind
that Peter did not know, and there was
nothing in Peters that was not revealed
to Archie.
Both Peter and Archie prospered in
business. They had their little losses
and mishaps, as most storekeepers have,
but it never seriously affected them, -
II Peter was short he aI ways borrowed
of Archie, and If Archie Was short he al
ways borrowed of Peter. If either of
them had any troubles of mind they
went to each other for consolation and
advice.
Peter one day came to know a rich
widow whose husband had been lost at
sea. For the first time in his life he
thought OF matrimony when he gaZed in
the buXom lady's face. But he couldn't
commit himself until he had conferred
with his friend Archie on the subject.
Archie heard him, and while he did
not dissuade his friend, he did not en-
courage him. Peter 1ancied Archie was
little cool, and he became alarmed,
Not for all the pretty ana rich women in
the world would he have lost Archie's
friendship. He therefore gave up the
project on the instant, and remained a
bachelor to the end for the love he bore
his friend.
One evening Archie sat in the inn
with his pipe and pot waiting for Peter
to appear, but the hours passed away,
and Peter came not. The housekeeper,
however, came and told Archie that Pc.
ter was ill. Archie was quickly at his 4
side, but the time had come when their
long friendship must be severed. They
had wandered hand in hand down the
vale of life, and its SHOWS had fallen
upon them equally and PEI ently. But now
one of them must go from the other,
never to return. There must heneeforth
be vacant chair and an empty pipe at
the old place Of resort. These thoughts
Ia rnII nrU ha
Peter, and watched his fever increase so
that ne became delirieus. Then he be-
gan to rave.
II want Archie," he cried; "tell
Archie am i'll, and he will come to me. y
II am here" replied Archie; "here
am, Peter"
mo, you are not ArchIe," cried the
feyer-sricken man; ''you are not Archie.
L want Archie"
"He does not recognize me-" moaned
the disconsolate Archie. "Alas alas -
By-and-by Peter dropped into short
slumber, but when he awoke his mind
still wandered. lie imagined he was at
The Eagle Inn, smoking and drinking
with his friend.
"GiVe us some more aIe," "he shouted,
''and more tobacco, Landlord. 'Iis not
time to go home yet. Good. night.
Archie, my pipe is out"
These were the last words Peter Ben
son uttered. From that moment he
commenced to tail rapidly. His pulse
grew more feeble and his breath in u
more difficult, and he died at daylight, |
just when the gray dawn broke in the
east. Archie sat haggard and alone be- /
side the dead, as ii he couldn't realize |
what had occurred.
Poor Archie missed his friend sadly, |
and used to sit in his accustomed seal !
all alone, smoking and thinking of Pc
ter. One night when the wind blew chill |
and cold. and light specks of snow be-
gan to feck the eartn, they went to |
awake Archie as he sat in the corner, |
supposing he was asleep, and the time |
had come to close the house. But Archie |
would never answer to their call again |
on earth. His empty pipe. was in his |
hand, and his soul had gone forth OIL a |
long journey to find his friend Peter in |
land where they would never part |
again.