River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1878-07-11
. JUST SO.v

aSldcS crOOned as IL SAT on us perch. suf-
red up something III me evil and yindie-
tive. Perhaps had no natural inclina-
tion 10 pets. Often when | had been
over wearied at the old farm house, the
sight of mother icrs scratch scratching
for living hac isrit. led me with sense
of over-work But they at least came
honestly by their living. | respected
them; but this pampered, over-fed thing
made my flesh crawl as it chung ogling
to its perch, or dropped lazily down TO
pick up a bit of cracker, nibbling there
at with an uncanny chatter. No; | did
not like pets. Aunt Margery did. This
ugly foreign favorite had absorbed all
her affections. / thought to myself Bit
terly, as / watched it that morning. She
carressed the creature; she spoke to it
endearingly; but for her own kith and
kin she had nothing but everlasting
fault. finding and ceasless exactions.
This was the third morning I had
waited for Dick--poor Dick, light hearted,
nIgh-spirited Dick i--who had taken up
his cap and left after his last word battle
with Aunt Margery This blow had taxi
en- the sunshine too utterly out OF my life,
and there, as | sal at the window, | men
tally shook my fist at this gibbering
thing. so sheltered and favored while he
was adrift-- wheres What would become
of Dick? oh, what would become OF Dick2
The lad had always had some business IN
the city that set lightly upon him, coming
and going at his leisure, but now for
three whole days his face had not tighten
ed the gloomy house. The longing to
know of his welfare, the yearning to see
him. had grown intense and intoleIable
And now, rendered irritable and dis
traught by my anxiety, | had quarrelled
with Aunt Margery myself to whom
her invalid state had hitherto excused so
much, who had been her patient nurse so
long, and her acknowledged peace-maker
between herself and the outspoken, lmpo-
lite Dick. l had fallen from my high
estate; was an outcast from favor--not
worth so much in Aunt Margerys eyes as
this leering old parrat.
| Well, need sacrifice myself no longer.
was free to go away. Oh, how useless,
now mean and degrad ling, seemed all
that / had sui mittcd to and suffered! 1t
could benefit Dick no more, and in his
absence, dropped its splendid apparel OF
! self-sacrlfce, and revealed itself beg
CARLY and sordid tameness of spirit.
Outside of this narrow groove where l
had grubbed and vegetated there was
thrilling, splendid reality of existence.
A sort of winged feeling took possession
of me as / contemplated the possibilities
of the future. The parrot put up his
elfin claw, blinked al me from the corner
of his eve, and cried, Just SOL as he
Topped back into his open cage. From
the window where the cage hung could
see the glowing gardens and pleasant
lawns stretching below. and in the visit
full hazy distance the city seeming to
shadow through the bright busy city.
where every one was asflr ana at work
Dick was there too somewhere. Dick
did "business'' easily and irresponsbly
as bird, Why should l not do bust
ness? 7 began tie take account OF stock
Ito make mental estimate or myself.
1t is surprising, in this commercial valu-
alton Of ones self, how percentages
shrink. A little bazy knowledge OF his
tory, a little nebulous acquaintance with
general literature, light touch upon the
piano-all these things look painfully
threadbare on examination, like stage
properties seen by daylight, i could
not settle upon any speciality in which |
was pre- eminent. must leave my iu.
ture to fate, and | did so with the delight
full innocence Of youth.
So the early dawn found me at the gar
den gate, face to face with the klndllng
morning, the garden quiet and odorous.
felt a sort of sinking at the heart not
/ quite in accordance with my Enterprise.
But the hustle about the depot, and all
the sights and sounds of travel speedily
dispelled my grief, and once in the cars,
nv spirits rose to the occasion. On, l
| would do something, be something ye.
| and / nibbled bit of cake, by way OF
breakfast, care-free and happy and conf
dent.
The city was quite inspiring as en-,
tered it-so delightfully."- active and Dust
ling that it took my breath. People were
coming and going purposeful and busl-
nessful, everybody seemed to have his eye
on some goal ahead to be reached IN a
given time. l only walked leisurely
along, enjoying the scene. and wondering
to myself if should know Dick should
meat him in the whirlpool, or would he
know me.
All these faces were strangers faces.
OF all these people not one had any in
terest for me. The gay scene dimmed
for a moment. and for moment felt
the chill of isolation, as the crowd swept
bv. Wondered was Dick as lonely, as
wistful. as I. The question was answer
ed by a sudden heart-thrill, for there,
lustv and ruddy, stood Dick before me-
I fear. / clasped his hand with unneces
sarv fervor as l said, .Oh, Dick, where
did you come fromg"
Where did you come from" respond
ed Dick, sharply.
81 Well, Richard, / can't stand
Aunt Margery any longer contl no
and I've left, Richard"
"Left!" echoed Dick, thrusting his
hat back from his forehead, and plung-
ing his two hands deep down in bis trous-
ers pockets. There was none OF that
CHEEKY Jingle of small change in them
with which Dick was wont to playfully
salnte nv ears. This silence was omin.
Gus. Where to go to-" added DICK
after long, portentous pause.
Going to look for business.
"Ahl"
"Dick, how you talk Put your ma
, on straight, and walk along. Evers
body's looking at u.s.
"My DEAR says Dick, faeetiously, ano
laughing now and showing ms white
! teeth. "that remark of mine to which yor
take exception was prompted by the fac
that Pm out of Job myself. Suppose
was in quarrelsome mood after leavlns
the old lady's, for when Lawyer Gudgt
, set upon me about neglecting the cores
pondence, copying, and the like slavisf
] business, / turned upon the old brute
and we hand blow-up. I'm out ON thu
world. dear, with capital of twenty live
cents to begin on
For two homeless waits that sum was
no, extensive. took my purse out OF my