The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1880-10-14
THE FOLDED LEAF.

The FOLDED LEAF.
The light from two large lamps shed
its soft, mellow radiance over the room,
and contrasted strangely with the bright
rays OF the crescent moon that came in
through the open window and lay in sill
yer bars upon the carpeted floor.
That the room was what is usually
termed q bachelor den" was to be
seen at a glance; but there was far
more taste displayed in the arrangement
OF all it contained than is generally
fonnd in any place not under the imme-
date supervision of one of the
gentler sex. It could be seen in the ar
rangem mt Of the pictures upon the
walls the careful manner in which the
choice books and magazines we're placed
npcn she table, and in the ornaments
displayed upon the mantel. Everything
in the room gave evidence that it's occu-
pant was q man Of taste. And we'll it
might. for Charlie Knight, who passed
the greater portion Of his leisure time
within this room, was proverbially fas-
tdious, and in nothing was he more so
than IN the arrangement of all that per-
tanned to his own immediate comfort.
A brief description of Charlie Knight
will be sufficient, and we will give it as
he sits at n OF the windows, lazily
smoking a cigar and caressing a small,
yellow terrier that is asleep in q chair at
his side.
his is not a face that would attract
the attention of a casual observer, but a
second glance would have revealed the
unmlstakable signs Of temper, pride and
st~nbbornness. Broad, high forehead,
full lips and small, blue eyes, were ali
indications Of O strong will and determi-
nation. His complexion was fair as q
girls, and there was a peculiar feminine
cast about his countenance which, with
his low, well-modulated voice, was well
in keeping with his lazy, indolent style
but there were well-defned lines of care
upon his forehead and beneath his eyes
which told that even thus early in life
he had found that
There's q burden in life for every mans shoulders
A sorrow which all must bear;
We may miss it in youth, but twill come whom we're
older,
And fit US as close as the garment wo wear.
Seated near him at table is O youth
who, though he bears little or no resem-
blance, is his brother. No two persons
could be more opposite in looks, ideas
and disposition. Yet between these two.
despite the difference in their ages, there
was a strong bond Of sympathy and love,
SO often remarked between persons Of
directly opposite natures.
1t need but glance at the face of
Walter Knight to know that he was to-
tally without frmness. He had been
petted from earliest childhood-not a
desire Of his, that was possible, but had
been granted by mdulgent parents, and
now, at the age of 10, when most bows
go forth into the world to battle with it's
feverses and disappointments, he was
wholly nnprepared to meet the stern re-
alities of life.
AS he sat at the table now, his head
resting upon his hand, his handsome.
boylsh face was distorted by an angry
frown, and occasionally he muttered
some indistinct word as he ground his
heel into the carpet. At length he
sprung up, and, giving his chair o kick
which sent it spinning into the further
corner OF the room, he began walking
up and down the apartment with angry
strides. His brother glanced up from
his cigar with a half-amused, half-angry
expression upon his countenance, at this
sudden outburst, but said nothing. At
length Walter threw himself into a chair |
near his brother, and exclaimed:
Charlie, you are a brute |"
Charlie removed his cigar from his
lips and blew forth q cloud of fragrant
smoke that completely enveloped him.
and as 1t slowly hoated forth upon the
night air he laughed spontaneously,
and said:
"You are very complimentary, Wal. |
ter. and l fully appreciate the delicacy |
with which it was passed, but I fear If
any representatives Of the brute creation |
were present they would hold you per-
sonally responsible for the insult to
their race. Here's links /; wonder what
he will think Of it? But then he has !
asscclated with me SO much that he has !
lost oil self-respect, and considers kim
self no better than T am"
And, as he ceased speaking, he gave
the dogs ear a pull that caused him to /
yelp with pain and annoyance.
just as good as I could have ex-
pected from YOU" exclaimed Walter. in
disgust. "There you sit, star. gazing
out of that window, knowing that Jen.
nle refused me this evening, and know
ing that for me life has lost all bright
ness, and yet not one word of sympathy |
DO you offer ; and when I remand you of /
what Q brute you are, you must needs |
get oil Of your cursed jokes"
Because I do not talk to you about !
your disappointment, is that any reason
that l do not sympathize with you? II
believe, with T%ennyson, that
" Sorrows crown Of SORROW
Ii In remembering happder thinaa.n