The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1880-12-02
LOVE IN DKEAMLAND.


For the kingdom and crown of God.
LOVE IN DKEAMLAND.
"Drunk again, you see, doctor. Yes,
drunk again! The same old story.
What next9" It was pale young man
in the Turtles who spoke thus, and there
was an exceeding WEAKNESS in the tone
of his voice and bearing.
The great physician who sat opposite
to him, nodded gravely.
@Aye," continued the young man, in
the same dreamy manner as before, 81
just recollect something about 1t. was
pickedup in the gutter by a policeman
last night. My front teeth, find, had
it-at all events they were gone; but l
managed to make myself Ineligible,
and hiccoughed out that lived here. It
was a lie-I always tell lies at these
times-but I was afraid to go home.
Homei 7 have no home-but at my
brothers. house. Why was afraid2
was afraid because had robbed him. I
had stolen his wite's miniature and the
coral necklace of his child to buy drink.
I have spent the money for which
pawned them and here am again."
He spoke without the smallest emotion
and then fixed his eyes doggedly on the
ground. He had naturally something of
the students stoop. and now he bent so
low that he looked the very picture of
abject misery. The physician whom he
addressed gazed at him meanwhile with
intense compassion. Walter Clifford
hoE
lows together at Herrow, and fast friends
at Oxford. Graham, (the doctor), after
passing his examinations creditably,
though without distinction, had taken a
degree as phycian, and being man of
much sound sense anu observation, rather
than an abstract scholar, had rapidly ris-
en- to the first rank in his profession.
Clifford, who had gone through his acad.
emic career much more brilliantly, and
had taken high honors, was poor, de-
graded vagabond, begging letter writer,
q creature whom it was not safe to re-
ceive into ones house lest he should steal
something. Yet in spite of all there was
nameless dignity about the castawav,
and it was hard to believe that one who
in his calmer hours spoke and thought
so nobly should be so vile. The night
before the conversation just recordel he
had been brought senseless to DIR. Ora
hams house, a shameless bundle Of dirt
and rags, but the doctor, being un-
married and free to follow his instincts
as good Samaritan,s had RECOGNIZED
him at once, housed, fed and clothed him
anew. The same thing had happened at
least twenty times before, and Graham
was wondering how and when such visits
would end.
"Come, cheer up, old fellow!' he said
kindly. "I've got an idea. Go down
and live with my aunt in Cornwall. She
is worthy soul and makes capital tea.
You used to like tea, remember. You
will do as you like, eat excellent apple
buildings, and help her to manage her
bees and her cucumbers Whenever you
feel inclined. have got little estate
down there, too, you know, which in
herited from my dear mother. Be my
agent till something better turns up. l
can't afford to give you more than hun
dred year, but you will, of course, live
at free quarters, ahd there is really some
vary good fishing. Promise mo only
not to tlpple, and-Come, is it bargain?'
The doctor stretched out his hand and
looked brightly on the human ruin be
fore him. He tried to seem as though
he were asking favor, instead Of con
ferrinS one.
Clifford moved uneasily in his chair
but made no motion to take the doctors
proffered hand. Presently, however, he
turned his head away, and began speak
ing in vague, mu. Ing manner, as though
he was talking to himself.
''You all fancy it is drink which is
the root and organ of mischief in my
case,' he muttered. 'sAs matter Of
fact, it is only graft upon what is a
deadlier, because a far more subtle and
invisible malady. Since childhood I
have been given to habit Of dreaming
of completely Withdrawing myself
from my surroundings, and retiring int
IA world of my own creation-What Cole
idge required opium to effect, Icould do
without ex,raneous aid, for time, but /
soon found out that stimulants would
rouse my jaded imagination when it
tagged. First tea and coffce were enough
then, as these lost their feet from con
slant use, resorted TO wine, and as wine
was slow in its effect, to spirits. The
doctor, who was not devoid Of humor
here LAID his hand on Cliff ,rd's arm, and
said, demurely: ''My aunt has an OLD
pony who has habit of shying at un
considered trifles. He is also wrong
headed pony, and she will not bear Of hi.
being whipped. Whenever these fits com,
on you, take her out for drive, and you
attention will be iutly occupied. Fo
the rest cold water shower baths, fresl
[~,n1S nd h<><>l 4
keep your mind occupied; and-well, i