West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1879-07-05
The Strolling Players.

"Cant you listen to reason for min
utei" asked Mr.. Miles Forester. as he com
PEELED his handsome nephew, Gerald. TO sit
down besides him on a rustic bench i'm the
garden.
'For one minute Certainly, uncle, -
replied the young fellow. ''Time's up Z
The minutes expired. Let's talk nonsense. -
"You are incorrigible, Gerald
''No, sir no, SIR Why don't you look
on life with a 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'm
vestments
''Nery true, Gerald And If this world
had been intended as a great playground |
should confess that had mistaken my ca
reer. Your father was wild dreamer like
YOU: visionary, unstable. He had no steadi-
ness, even In ms profession
'Iie left some good pictures, though, ~
said Gerald.
'His 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
"rhe 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"
"Half Of these wrinkles on my brow, -
pursued the old gentleman, ''werc not traced
by age, but by care. The care occasloned
by your father and yourself. But truce
10 all this Row, am amply rich To allow
you, If | chose, to follow your fancy wher-
ever ii may lead you. But am man of
principle, as rigidly welded to what know
10 be right, as you are TO your profitless day
dreams. If you will not do as / wish you
| withdraw my countenance and aid, and
leave you 10 work out your own salvation
! have laid two propositions before you
one 10 go into business, I'm 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.
''The 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"
~ haven't exactly decided, uncle But
the world offers wide field To gentleman
OF my figure, taste, accomplishments and
education might be strolling player,
or travelling portrait painter; or have
thought of reviving the traditions of the el.
der ages, and going about like Homer, sing.
ing my own verses to my own music
'FThen you are determined TO leave me3''
said the old gentleman, rising Poor,
foolish, headstrong boy"
81 shall not trouble you long, my dear
sir, said the young man. 'But at least
say that we part friends, he added, hold
ing out his hand.
Friends !" said the old man, with a tear
In his eye. al love you better than any
thing else in the world. But my principles
ARE adamantine"
$50 are mine, 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.
lie was reused from his abstraction, how.
eyer, by the sound of merry laughter Ad.
yancing cautiously, he soon obtained view
OF an open glade in the wood, and of 3
group of persons who had taken possession
OF the spot. And it was not long before he
knew the group TO be a lot of travelling act
Ors Among them was a long-faced mel
ancholy man, in seedy black suit, seated
beside a buxOm, smiling damsel. and a
stout ruddy checked gentleman, hashily at
tired, who sat opposite second trim built
damsel, and the whole party were busily
engaged In tattling, laughing and dcvour.
ing a miscellaneous feast, cOnsistingOf ham.
cold chicken, crackers and bottled ale. II
was o little picnic party, in short.
The breaking of dried branch on which
BE- had incautously rested, revealed tho
presence Of Gerald
"Hal' cried the red d-nOsed man. with
theatrical start, ''WhOm have we here2 Ad
vance friend, and give the countersign."
'My friends,' said Gerald,- advancing
''excuse my intenupting your festivty.
beg you will not LET me disturb you. j in.
trpded accidentally
"Perhaps you have a. good q right her,
~ ourselves, said the red-noscd man, will
merry twinkle Of the eye. care you IN,
owner Of this charming spot2"
''No, sir, replied Gerald, with smile
~ am only The nephew Of the owner nj
this spot and allow me iO bid you as muol
Of q welcome to this place as !, only ih,
nephew Of the proprietor, may extend. Die
feel at liberty would ask you into thl
house
Enough said, young gentleman :" oricl
the red nOeed man, with q waive Of, h
bread d-knife. "And for the hospitality o
the forest, sir, permit us to requitc you b,
inviting you 10 q seat az our board-swart
] mean.
Gerald sat down amidst the strange, mer
~ crew, and was soon perfectly At home
% Ud now co.od aff f said tho rod uoaef