The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1881-01-13
LOVE In DREAMLAND.

What next"
1t was pale young man in the thirties
who spoke thus, and there was an ex-
ceeding 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 it. 1 was
picked up in a gutter by policeman
last night. My front teeth, | find, had
been kicked down my throat, or out OF it
at all avents they were gone; but l
managed to make myself Ineligible,
and hiccoughed out that lived here. 1t
was a lie-I always tell lies al these
times-but I was afraid to go home.
Home. L have no home-but at my
brothers house. Why was l afraid? I
was afraid because [ had robbed HIM. l
had stolen his wife's miniature and the
coral necklace of his child to buy drink.
/ have spent the money for which [
pawned them, and here l am again
He spoke without the smallest emo
ton 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
and Cecil Graham had been schoolfel-
lows together at Herrow, and fast friends
at Oxford. Graham (the doctor), after
passing his examination creditably,
though without distinction, had taken a
degree as a physician, and being man
of much sound sense and observation,
rather than an abstract scholar, had rap
idly risen to the first rank in his profess
sion. Clifford, who had gone through
his academic career much more brilliant
w. and had taken high honors, was a
poor, degraded vagabond, a begging let
ter writer. a creature whom it was not
safe to receive into ones house lest he
should steal something. Yet in spite of
all there WIS a nameless dignity about
the castaway, 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
recorded he had been brought senseless
to DIR. Graham's house, shameless bun
die of dirt and rags, but the doctor. be-
ing unmarried and free to follow his in
stincts as a good Samaritan, had recog-
nized 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, you remember.
You will do as you like, eat excellent APP
pie buildings, and help her manage her
bees and cucumbers whenever you feel
inclined. l have got little estate down
there. too. YOU know, which l inherited
from my dear mother. Be my agent till
something better turns up. L can't al
ford to give you more than hundred a
year. but you will, of course, live at
free quarters, and there is really some
very good fishing. Promise me only
not to tipple, and-Come, is 1t bar
gain?"
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-
ferring one.
Clifford moved uneasily in his chair
but made no motion to take the doctor s
proffered hand. Presently, however, he
turned his head away, and began speak
ing in q vague, musing manner, rs II he
was talking to himself.
You all fancy it is drink which is the
root and organ of mischief in my case,
he muttered. Gas matter of fact, it is
only graft upon what is a deadller, be
cause far more subtle and invisible
malady. Since childhood l have been
given to IA habit oil dreaming-of COM
pletely withdrawing myself from my
surroundings, and retiring into world
of nv own creatjon-What Coleridge re-
auired opium to effect, l could without
extraneous aid, for time, but L soon
found out that stimulants would rouse
my faded imagination when 1t Tagged.
First tea and coffee were enough; then,
as these lost their effect from constant
use. | resorted to wine, and as wine was
slow in its effect, to spirits. The doctor,
who was not devoid of humor, here Iaid
his hand on Cliford's arm, and said de-
murely: My aunt has an old pony who
has habit OF shying at unconslderabie
triiies. He is also wrong headed pony
and she will not bear of his being whip
ped. Whenever these fits come on you,
take her out for drive, and your atten-
ton will be fully occupied. For the
rest cold water shower baths, fresh fruit,
indexing books-anythin that will keep
your mind occupied; and-well, if that
won't do, birch your body well with
singing nettles.' 1t is a very ancient
remedy, and | should think might
answer a mental diversion in your case.
! H.. IL