The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1881-06-23
MY FRIEND HARRIS.

ten it'll" L exclaimed, as l arose from
the breakfast-table. "I have invited
an old friend to dine with us this even
ing. Let us have those ducks which
We're sent here Yesterday, done in
cookies best style"
George, you are the most incon-
siderate man returned my wife, with
rebuking smile and shake of the head.
"Where my heart has gone my head
has followed" / replied, reseating my
self. "You've got both; I've been be-
side myself ever since 1 married you"
Iwould here say to the reader that
this was the first week of our house
keeping, and that we had just ended
our wedding tour.
"You are not always beside yourself,
sir. You are frequently away from me" "
Emily declared, recognizing the fact
that she was indeed my better-half.
"But 1 can't think of any one but
yourself, or / would before this
have told you of my meeting Harris, a
dear old friend, whom l had not seen
for five years. l know you will like
him. | was in a great hurry when ]
found him, came near passing him, but
well-remembered limp he has made
me stop. He was much changed in ap-
pearance; he wears full beard now, but
his eye had the same merry twinkle.
asked him when he had got back from
Europe, but didn't await his answer, and
commenced about you, and then gave
him our address. He'll be here to-
night. You've heard me speak Of
Harris 2"
"You've so many friends, George
"Well, you'll like him, any wav, and
now I'm off. Business-detestab
business"
Upon my walk home at four in the
afternoon my memory was employed in
furnishing me with anecdotes in which
my friend figured; that sleighing party
-ha ha lin which Harris had proved
himself hero; that escapade of his on
a fishing excursion.
But as l arrived within sight of my
house my purpose was changed. l
would not do any talking save so far as
to draw him out. He had a fund of
humor which could not fail to delight
my wife. l must make him speak of
his European travel how we'll his old
talent of mimicry would serve him in
describing oddities he had met abroad.
Above all, L must not let him leave
without getting a pencil sketch from
him of my darling Emily. Among
other accomplishments Harris was
very clever draughtsman.
Emily met me with kiss, as was her
wont, but Immediately left my side to
superintend preparations in the kitchen,
and after change of my attire I
entered my parlor, where soon became
interested in the pages of a new book.
L was reused therefrom by the ringing
of the front door bell.
L rushed at once to welcome my
friend. Despite my novel dignity as
householder L had no thought of stand
ing upon any ceremony with him.
Clasping both his hands in mine I
fairly dragged him into the parlor, and
then thrust him into my easiest chair.
"You must pardon my leaving you
so soon yesterday. Ihad an imperative
engagement when L saw you. Gracious,
man how bald you have become?
This final exclamation of mine was
occasioned by my visitors removing his
hat, for which he had had no previous
opportunity.
"Care, dull care" returned my friend,
in melancholy tone, and I then was
nearly guilty of a surprised remark on
the seediness of his attire. His linen,
which he had concealed as far as pos
sible, was ragged and even dirty.
Had Harris run through the large
fortune which he had inherited Some
mischance had evidently befallen him.
Mingled with my desire to offer him
sympathy were saddened reflections
upon the impression he was likely to
make upon my wife, an impression so
different from that 1 had pictured to
myself. L hastily strove to turn the
current of my thoughts by the remark:
"Well, l believe badness improves
you-you have a portentously intel
lectual aspect because of it. L have
another reason for being pleased with it.
1 see more of you. But-come, tell me
about yourself"
"Not Just now, please. / had rather
hear you talk of yourself"
l proceeded to oblige him, but was
constantly disturbed in my narrative by
singulalities and even vulgarities of
manner on his part. How Harris had
changed.
Poverty and presumable low associ-
atoms had evidently demoralized him.
1 was fairly beginning to think of some
decent excuse for ridden myself of him.