The Russellville Democrat., 1881-03-24
A Walk in the Dark.
Boston Courier.

maker for large publishing house, and knew all about eyerybook printed in the last fifty-or, for aught know, 5000 1 years. It was, therefore, no great won- der that he became insane. since mod ern titles are surely maddening enough. Continually did the poor wretch devote himself to writing, usually making out interminable catalogues of imaginary books, but occasionally striking out into some other line. Among the numerous manuscripts found after his death in the cell of poor Bibliophus was the following queer paper, which the madman had chosen to entitle,
 < WALK IN THE DARK. Far from the Madding Crowd sat Brown, Jones and Robinson. Without the sky was clouded, happiness being manifestly inside. They had been play ing the new American whist.
 T had no trumps," remarked Brown.
 q had only three little spades and played out one of them by mistake. There were in either of our hands not hearts enough to work up a good suit"
 What's to be done next?" asked Robinson.
 "How white lies the snow underfoot,n Jones, "where it is cast by the wind. We can't go out tonight"
 T must mend my vest" began Brown, but Robinson broke in
 Never mind your Sowing, the Wind has gone down and we are in Duty Bound to call on Miss Van Kortland Sooner or Later, and might as well go now"
 Ought We to Visit Herr" grumbled Jones.
 | Stern Necessity compels, l suppose, wanted to Look to the End of My Novel first. Now and Then there's A Good Thing in it."
 "On Our Way" Brown said. even get lunch. q only eat A Youthful of Bread and an Olive for supper" They set out, Robinson in deep Medi- tation. Being Too Much Alone he was Forever and Ever breeding, and was fre- quently All in the Dark about Everyday Matters. When boy he had been Cast Up by the Sea, and had seen rather the Seamy Side of life, the worlds and Prej- udice, which is as old as Adam and Eve, putting Stumbling Stones constantly in his way. His history, however, was the Story of an Honest Man All Round the Year, and he had Confidence in himself and his Destiny. Since then He Knew he was right, he was ready to be Called to Account at any Time.
 Come" Jones cried, At last, you're in Adam Brown study, seems to me-"
 "I'm more fond of dreaming Quite Alone in my Grandlather's Chair over Twice Told Tales of Men, Women and Books" Robinson returned, with never A Rap at the Door to disturb me, than of Drifting about town"
 Tn the Old Regime" Jones said, "that was Well Enough. But the Way We Live Now there is No Hope of Getting on in the World without going about a little. Women are better for Rushing Ahead in spite of Ups and Downs than Amen"
 q have No Intentions" Jones re- marked, "of boring you with The Auto biography of Man of the World, but fear I have been the subject of Misrepre- sentation. We are often Not so Bad as We seem, but you must Take Care Whom You Trust. l was one of Three Clerks who North and South had been | On Guard Under the Banner of freedom | Together. 1 was Hand and Glove with Dr. Thorne, whom we called Jack. | When we left The Army of the Potto- mac he had an Inheritance of Half Million in Money all in Very Hard Cash. What will He Do With It?' I asked my Self He bought Small House at AL lington, and began A Search for Wife. He Loved A Charming Girl to whom he presented me. Hannah-so His Love was called-had Only Herself to consult, and the Marriage was fixed for Midsum- mer Eve. She was in Silk Attire, with l Three Feathers and A Blue Ribbon in | her hat. She wore White Jacket, but lal, l,1 Il ,l, krl, not Too Good for Him, for he was Maid l Newcomes in Their False Heir, and up | Rosa Maypole on the Green around which they danced as you see doves and other Foul Play in the sum- Their cheeks glowed as on A Bright Morning in Au- tum you may, although the Last Leaf is Dead, Sea Fruit still clinging to The Top most Rough of the Holly Tree, Inn the | Fair Fields. Hannah danced with me Once and Again, for it was Nothing New for me to dance Hard Times without number with A Pretty Woman, Married or Single, so that it was No Wonder they called me A Hopeless Case, deep as The Saltwater; Tragedy being not in My | Experience. But Jack felt himself touched on A Point of Honor, and lost | bis Self-Control, perhaps Spurred On by Our Next-Door Neighbor, who kept a perfect School for Scandal. We Two, who had been Fast Friends for years, and together Night and Morning, had 'IIi' words At Last. But Hannah stepped in. Her Face Was Her Fortune, and be- ing True to Herself she soon made us Quits. Put Yourself in His Place. she said. It was Terrible Temptation. | Can You Forgive Her and me? | plead- ed. He relented, and After Dark they were made Man and Wife"
 "All this is as dull as an old Bundle of Letters" Robinson yawned. But here we are at Miss NanKortlans's door Can She Atone, do you think, for our coming out in such A Dark Night?"
 shell think us Odd, or Even mad perhaps" Jones returned. But few People l Have Met interest me more than this one of Beauty's Daughter's.'
 And Pausing On the Threshold he rang the Belle.