The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1878-03-21
SEEING HIS FRIENDS.

all, 6ttlO JOHCo, do AC odb 1uA-
uriously slipping his wine.
Mr.. Jones was rich, and like the little
mouse in the fable, Jared sumptuously
every day.
"Ah, dear me, how foolish it is for
people to find fault with the world, and
to say people are ungrateful, and all
that It's a very good world, indeed.
It's not full of ingrates, either. It's
pleasant to meet ones friends as one
goes along. It's only necessary" said
Jones, holding his glass to the light, and
letting the light drop through it in a
great garnet blot upon the damask cloth,
"it's only necessary to be amiable and
kind to people, and to be naturally an
agreeable person, to be loved and re-
spected and well used. AS for me, who
ever had better friends? Not to mem
ton the love of my aunt Greenbough,
and her nine daughters, as fond of me
as though were brother; and Tod
kinson-how that man respects me; and
Cousin Fish and his wife, who really
have almost too good of idea of me.
Hal hal think Pm more than perfect
And Miss Flyblister, poor thing, per-
haps she would have liked me to like
her little more. And Amanda-heav-
ensI how that girl loves mel If were
Apollo, she could not admire me more.
If / were Moses-no, Solomon, she
couldn't think me wiser. And my ser
vants-my excellent Nehemiah, and my
worthy Dinah--how devoted they are !
And all because Pve been generous and
good-natured and kind to them. And
because Pm a pleasant sort of fellow,
not one of your grabbed, crusty crea-
lures"
And Mr.. Jones having finished his
wine, arose and sauntered towards his
great Turkish chair, with vague thoughts
of nap lowering in his brain.
For Mr.. Jones was not boy to whom
after dinner maps are unknown, but a
gentleman of six and thirty, growing
portlier with every year of good living
and contentment.
But as Mr.. Jones approached his
chair, he became conscious that it was
not untenanted.
It was occupied by tall, gaunt figure
dressed apparently in cobwebs.
At least the texture of the long gown
and cap it wore, suggested nothing else.
It had a face much of the same hue,
with lean, suspicious nose and chin,
and furtive eyes of pale gray.
Its long, lean hands rested together
on staff, and as Mr. Jones approached
it cackled, or croaked, or something oi
the sort.
"Ahp said Mr.. Jones to himself
one of those artistic beggars who make
pictures of themselves, suppose. Well
we'll, / think he's worth a shilling
Here, old man-and if you want drinl
and something to eat, go to the table
and help yourself"
"He, he, hep ratified the creature il
the chair. "He, he, hel How you make
me laugh, to be sure, Aminidab Jones
Bah! l always have food enough-I, i
no one else on earth"
"Then perhaps you'll tell me wha
procures me this pleasure" said Mr.
Jones, not without sarcasm in his voice
81 thought I'd look you up" said tn,
figure. "Very fsw men 1 don't know
Ny name is Suspicion-ever heard it p
"WelI, don't know" said Mr.. Jones
desiring to be polite. "We've had som
odd, old-fashioned names in our famil,
Prudence, Patience, Experience, De
sire-half dozen others. I've an od
name myself-Aminidab, ha, hap
Yes, and you are an odd man." sal,
the figure. ITO hear you talk, now
to hear you talkl Friends! Do yo
really believe in friends at your age-i
fealty, and honor, and honesty? Don
you know by this time that all peopl
care for you is what you can do fo
them, that your money and your plea,
ant invitations, and your presents, an
what they expect you to leave then
make them all so complacent to Vol
that if you were to become poor, the
BAH Don't you suppose you are eve
talked against or cheated or ridiculed
"No, 1 DON'T" said Aminidab; I"
don't deserve it,
GAS if that made any difference,
cried old Suspicion. "Why, let tt
man who has most faith in his FRIEND
listen at keyholes, peep in letters, an
cross question servants and other spi,
for year, he'll be of my mind. It's
false world. Aminidab, a very fall
world"
"You're soured my dear SIR" sal
Aminidab. "Pll wager you anythir
that if / were to listen at keyhole
peep into the letters, and watch Il
actions of all my friends, I'd feel e.
actly as I do now at the end of Il
year"
al never bet on a certainty" replit
Suspicion; "but Pll make you an offe
Come under my mantle; it is lar
enough to take in all the world, al
once covered by it, you will be invi
BILE. Fobody notices me. Well 90
your friends-to Aunt Greenbough3s,
Todkinson's, to Cousin Fish's, to NJ
Flyblister's, and to Amanda's, and s
what we shall see. If you are right, |
go away; if you are not. Pll sta
You'll want me for a friend, eh?"
"Pm right" said Jones; $50 put 70
mantle over me, and let US start, Y