Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-07-07
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asidcs crooncd as it sat on its perch. stir
red up something in me evil and vindic-
tive. Perhaps | had no natural incllna-
ton to pets. Often when l had been
over wearied at the old farmhouse, the
sight of mothers hens scratch-scratchlng
for living had irritated me with sense
of over-work. But they at least came
honestly by their living. I respected
them; but this pampered, over-fed thing
made nv flesh crawl as it chung ogling
to its perch, or dropped lazily down to
pick up bi. 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
terlv, 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 cxactions.
This was the third morning had
waited for Dick--poor Dick, light hearted,
h1gh-spirited Dick!--who had taken up
his cap and left after his last word-battie
with Aunt Margery. This blow had taxi
en- the sunshine too utterly out of my life,
and there, as I SAT at the window, men
tally shook my fist at this glbbering
thing, so sheltered and favored while he
was adrift- where? What would become
of Dick? oh, what would become of Dick!
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 Noticeable.
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. had fallen from my high
estate; was an outcast from fayor--not
worth so much in Aunt Margery's eyes as
this leering old parrat.
Well, / need sacrifice myself no longer
was free to go away. Oh, how useless,
how mean and degrading, 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-sacrlfice, and revealed itself a beg
carly and sordid tameness of spirit.
Outside of this narrow groove where /
had grubbed and vegetated there was a
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
eltin claw, blinked at me from the corner
of his eye, and cried, Just sou 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 tc
shadow through--the bright busy city
where every one was astir and at work
Dick was there too somewhere. Dick
did Cuisines" easily and irresponslbly
as bird, Why should not do bust
ness? began to take account Of stock
to make mental estimate Of myself
1t is surprising, in this commercial yalu
alton Of ones self, how percentages
shrink. A little hazy knowledge of his
tory, little nebulous acquaintance with
general literature, light touch upon the
piano-~all these things look painfully
thrcadbare on examination, like stage
properties seen by daylight, / coule
not settle upon any speciality in which
was pre-eminent must leave my III
turo 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 kindHns
morning, the garden quiet and odorous
Ifelt sort of sinking at the heart no
quite in accordance with my Enterprise
But the hustle about the depot, and al
the sights and sounds of travel, speedil,
dispeled my grief, and once in the cars
my spirits rose to the occasion. Oh,
would do something, be something ye.
and nibbled a bit of cake, by way 0
breakfast, care-free and happy and conf
dent
The city was quite inspiring as l en-
tered it-so delightfully."- active and bust
ling that it took my breath. People wer
coming and going purposeful and bust
nessful, everybody seemed to have his ey
on some goal ahead to be reached in
given time. only walked leisurel
along, enjoying the scene, and wonderin!
to myself if should know Dick should
meat him in the whirlpool, or would h
know me.
All these. faces were strangers faces
OF all these people not one had any in
teres1 for me. The gay scene dimmet
for moment, and for moment | fel
the chill Of isolation, as the crowd swep
by. | wondered was Dick as lonely, a
wistful, as I. The question was answer
lusty and ruddy, stood Dick before me.
fear Iclasped his hand with unneces
sary fervor as I said, oh, Dick, wher
did you come frum?"
Where did you come from9" respond
ed Dick, sharply.
CT Well, Richard, I can't stanc
Aunt Margery any longer-I can't! ne
and I've left, Richard
"Left!" echoed Dick, thrusting hi
hat back from his forehead, and plune
ing his two hands deep down in bis trous
ers pockets. There was none of tina
CHEEKY jingle of small change in Their
with which Dick was wont to playful
salute my ears. This silence was omir
Gus. where to go to?' added Dicl
after long, portentous pause.
"Going to look for business"
"Ah!"
"Dick, how. you talk! Put your be
on straight, and walk along. Ever
body's looking at u.s.