Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1878-07-13
FOUNDED ON FACT.

BY JENNY CRIMINY.

) BY JENNY CRININY.
" Come in
: After twisting and turning the knob
ana showing against it with ali nv mipht
the door came suddenly open. ard wo
preicIIpltated on my aIl-fours into III,
middle OF the room.
- lake a seat, said the occupant, wb(
was seated at a table with his bocI
turned towards me, so intensely engaged
with writing that even nv hssty on,
trance did not cause him to look nm
This reception did not in the least sur.
prise me, for ! knew the individual he.
iore me Just about as we'll az he knew
himself, II not better. Three wear. pre,
vlous Barry Creswell, when we were a
college together, had become INV ast
iIiriehd, and though two persons more un.
IKE were never born, he had declared m
MS odd, Straightforward way that we
were baon spirits, and fate itself had
destined us to be friends. Barry was a
curiosity, kind hearted, IMAGINATIVE
and talented as everybody admitted hnt
so universally talented that Barry him
sell could never decide what particular
profession, occupation or calling he was
best suited to, and what road was the
qulcSest TO fortune and fame. Like
child, chasing each golden butterfly If
ms imagination, and in turn reljnouish.
ing them one by one ae he .,,---3i,i
s''nsu easier TO grasp, and brighter, on
account Of its novelty He had studied
law for six months, and then threw his
books aside with the conclusion that he
was not cut out for lawyer Next he
attempted medicine, but the dissecting
room affected him and he gave that up in
disgust, At a revival he had been con.
vered, and with the desire burning in
his generous breast of converting souls,
had gone to theological seminary to
study for the ministry but at the end
three months got on spree and was
sent home in disgrace. II he went 10
theatre, it would turn him into an actor
reading an exciting novel would cause
him to model after its hero; and meet>
ing pretty girl would iustantaneously
convert him into an ardent lover and If
he had one transcandant weakness. il
WAS in making himself TIE slave of every
handsome girl he met. But fortunately
for him, the duration OF his love spells
were generally as short as they were
ardent, And so after squandering much
valuable time in fruitless experiments
planning great castles, and laying the
foundation to none, Barry, sf,er running
through limited supply of funds, had
found himself just as found him to-
night, with no fixed resolutions, clerking
through necessity in dry goods store,
and as ! supposed from his mysterious
manner, deep in the merits of some
" wild goose chase"
| sat down and waited very patiently,
knowing full well that whatever the
scheme was, | would soon get the benefit
OF it; for never circumstance trans
pired, or plan originated with my
erratic friend, that it was not presented
for my consideration and advice
which usually amounted to the
same thing TO continue at one
aim until he had accomplished
something start fewer new schemes, and
not fall in love until he was able to
marry.
After scratching away a while longer,
Barry laid down his pen, ran his fingers
through his hair, and turning around in
his chair, eyed me with a countenance so
serious, that knowing as | did what was
coming, l began to olsuph.
Barry colored, and said Well,
what the deuce are you LAUGHING att"
Haven't a right" said |, tolaugh
if I feel like it?"
1T is strange" he replied, "that
whenever | am in serious humor, you
must always be in such jOvial one."
DWELL, 10 tell the truth Barry, il is
such an unusual thing to see you look
serious; but pray tell me what is it that
portendsW
Barry wriggled in his chair, crossed one
leg over the other, and said "Did you
ever think had any talent for writing /?
"Why, yes Barry; | think youd'd write
a very good hand with the proper prac-
tice."
"Oh, pooh not that sort of writing
do you think would ever make an
author? The fact is" he continued
without waiting for reply, "you may
not have known it, ! have concluded
that is, am attempting-I thought |
would try aud zee if | couldn't write q
story"
/ couldn't help it; laughed again.
"Confound It'll" exclaimed Barry, he>
ginning to look chsgrined "I wish now
| hadn't told you, if that's the way
you're going to take it,"
81 beg your pardon" Isaid, " ! really
didn't mean it, my boy; but you looked
SO solemn, that thought you must be
writing farewell letters in anticipation
of committing suicide"
Barry drew a sigh. DWELL. to be
candid, l sometimes think it would be
happy relief to sleep quietly in Lethe's
stream and if it were not Tor my
mother and yourself, life would have
but few attractions. My dear friend, " said
he, with tragical look" SHE has gone
back on me-"
came very near smiling again, TO
think how probably in a months time
he would be making love to some other
girl; but said alphabetically, "Gone
back on you Why how il that ~
Yes, IL is q sad fact, and that Is why
you end me engaged as lam. You know
an author almost alEayg sxhiblts hIS