The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1879-07-24
The Strolling Players.

"Can't you listen to reason for min
ute2" asked Mr. Miles Forester, as he com
PEELED his handsome nephew, Gerald, to sit
down besides him on a rustic bench in the
garden.
"For one minutc9 Certainly, uncle"
replied the young fellow. "1imc's up2
The minutes expired. Let's talk nonsense. I"
''You are incorrigible, Gerald"
''No, sir no, sirl Why don't you look
on life with little Of my philosophy Con-
fess, my dear uncle, that you haven't been
80 very happy; that you are not very happy
now, in spite Of your wealth, your fine
house, your real estate and California i'll
vestments"
every true, Gerald. And if this world
had been intended rs great playground
should confess that had mistaken my ca
reer. Your father was a wild dreamer like
you: visionary, unstable. He had no steadi-
ness, even in his profession.
''He left some good pictures, though, !"
said Gerald.
''tIis subjects were so eccentric that he
could not sell them. | was almost his only
patron. My house is full of things that no
body would buy"
"The ordinary fate of genius, remarked
Gerald.
'But had he gone into trade as did, his
wife would not have died of privation and
broken heart"
''Poor mother!"
"IIalf of these wrinkles on my brow"
pursued the old gentleman, "were not traced
by age, but by care The care occasloned
by your father and yourself. But truce
to all this now. l am amply rich to allow
you, If chose, to follow your fancy wher-
ever it may lead you. But am man of
principle, as rigidly welded to what know
to be right, as you are to your profltlcss day
dreams. If you will not do as wish you
withdraw my countenance and aid, and
leave you to work out your own salvation.
have laid two propositions before you !;
one to go into business, in a respectable
house, to furnish the capital; the other to
accept the hand Of Mrs. Rashton, young,
rich, and pretty. do not insist on your
acceptance of both of these propositions,
but you must take one or the other, or we
part"
''rhe first, my dear uncle, decidedly
Decline"
"But you'll marry the widow she comes
here to-day, you know"
"Thank you for the widow; III keep
clear of her"
''Incorrigible boy What do you pro-
pose TO do with yourself2"
II haven't exactly decided, uncle. But
the world offers wide field to gentleman
of my figure, taste, accomplishments and
education. I might be srolling player,
or travelling portrait painter; or l have
thought of reviving the traditions of the ell
der ages, and going about like Homer, sing
ing my own verses to my own music"
'Then you are determined to leave mc2"
said the old gentleman, rising ,''Poor,
foolish, headstrong boy"
81 shall not trouble you long, my dear
SIR" said tho young man. "But at least
say that we part friends, " he added, hold
ing out his hand
friends ~ said the old man, with tear
IN his eye. 81 love you better than any
thing else in the world. But my principles
are adamantine."
$50 are NINE" said Gerald. "Good-by
till We meet again"
They shook hands In token of amity, and
went In different directions, Gerald stroll
ing along through fine oak grove.
He was reused from his abstraction, how
ever, by the sound of merry laughter. Ad-
vancing cautiously, he soon obtained a view
of an open glade in the wood, and Of a
group of persons who had taken possession
of the spot. And it was not long before he
knew the group to be lot of travelling act
ors. Among them was long faced, mel
ancholy man, In seedy black suit, seated
beside buxom, smiling damsel, and q
stout, ruddy- checked gentleman, flashily at.
tired, who sat opposite second trim-built
damsel, and the whole party were busily
engaged In tattling, laughing and devour.
ing miscellaneous feast, consistingo Of ham,
cold chicken, crackers and bottled ale. II
was little picnic party, in short.
The breaking Of dried branch on which
he had incautiously rested, revealed the
presence of Gerald.
''Hal" cried the red-nosed man, with @
theatrical start, ''whom have we here2 Ad
vance friend, and give the countersign.'
my friends" said Gerald, advancing,
''excuse my interrupting your festivlty.
beg you will not let mo disturb you. I in
truded accidentally"
''Perhaps you have as good right here
as ourselves" said the red-nosed man, will
a merry twinkle of the eye. care you the
owner Of this charming spot9"
''No, sir, " replied Gerald, with smile
II am only the nephew of the owner O
this spot; and allow me to bid you as nlucl
of a welcome to this place as I, only th'
nephew of the proprietor, may extend. Die
| feel at liborty would ask you into th'
house.
''Enough said, young gentleman |" criet
the red-nosed man, with waive of. hi
bread-knife. "And for the hospitality O
the forest, sir, permit us to requite you BY
inviting you to a seat at our board 7swart
mean" 5.86
Gerald sat dowh amidst tho strange, mer
ry crew, and was soon perfectly at home.
"And now, good Sir, " said the red-noset