The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1882-01-17

friend and spoke to him."
"That Is the man." l said to myself,
"whose proceedings have been dubious.
and who will, | trust, be rescued by
Staining's f20. Well, if the wheel
should turn, and this poor man should
ever be in position to deliver fellow
creature from such trouble as he himself
is now in, by the surrender OF EGO, !
wonder whether he'll do it2 Smith, you
surely know human nature well enough
to answer your own foolish question.
Not he-not bit Of it."
This incident was soon swept from nay
mind by q sudden call to 60 abroad ,even
to the place where Maxwell did notlgo
Brazil. Nothing hampered me thsn:
| was young bacheloE and could start
for the antipodes on Two days notice
When / take my wife and children--I
forget the number-for our autumnal
trip, in these later years Of my life, re-
quire weeks preparation. 81
Away, then to Brazil. away to new
life, new companions, new hopes and
fears; away to fortune and the yellow
tever! Here occurs in my tale an inter-
val OF twenty years (my story deals in
twenties). I doubt whether l should
have come back had not a young English
lady one night sung in my hearing an
old home ballad, so we'll remembered In
connection with some loved ones who in
this world will sing no more, that era
wing for my native land mastered me at
once. and in very short time was on
my return home
On the way had one night fright
ful dream. l fancied terrible enemy
had me down and clulched my throat
Tighter grew his grasp and fainter my
breath. NV staring eyes scanned every
feature of my murderer. Slowly and
painfully did call to mind the face
above me. 1t was Staining-but he was
reckless, desperate. l gasped an entreaiy
for mercy.
i"Give it to me; want it l must have
it instantly Instantly vas the hoarse
reply.
"What-what can he mean ?"
"What" he shrieked in maniacal fren-
~. "My f20"
| had quite forgotten abont the bet
and the f20; but the dream set me 'hiuk-
ing OF what rumurs l had heard respect
ing Staining since left Ensland-that
his money had wasted, that he had fallen
in position and even into poverty.
Poor fellow!' I thought; ''there may
be something in that dream. Ii his pride
will accept it he shall have that money
back, and very glad I shall be to restore
it." ..
The brilliant light of the ball room
may increase the luster of a woman's
eyes, but il you want to see broken
down man in his worst aspect, survey
him standing disconsolately under "a
street lamp, drizzling rain descending
upon him, and he with folded asg1s pre-.
senting picture Of mute despair. So
did I behold Staining. put my hand
upon his shoulder. He sprung from me
as though l we're wild beast.
81 did not want to run away. he said
hoarselv "they knew that. Go on; I'll
walk quietly enough. Why-what-can
it he"
"Yes, it is Smith, your old companion.
Come out of this and conide in me. II
You are in trouble and money can help
You, yoo shall not want" Aud took
his arm and we went together.
And then l heard poor Staining's con-
fession, and it amounted to this: When
be had wasted his money he obtained
situation in a merchants Office. The
pay was sufficient to keep him; hut even
now nothing could restrain him from
betting on horse-racing. As conse-
quence he was soon penniless, and worse
dishonest. He had paid betting debt
out OF a E20 note which had been en-
trusted to him. Discovery ensued. and
though the luckless man had explained
that it was only through the failure Of
another member Of the virtuous fratern-
ty be could not replace the money at
once, be had been discharged, and had
reason to suppose be would be prosecu
ted
"Many, many thanks" replied the
poor fellow to my offer "You can see
the firm in the morning; but I doubt
whether they will take the money. /
believe they are bent on my ruin -
Early the next morningI went 10 the
office of Baydon, Blendon & Co. and,
having stated my errand, profiered nv
f2O
Mr.. Baydon was a sleek old gentle
man. There was, an air Of wealth and
esse all over hin. He bowed conpla-
Gently, and said /:
II, can appreciate your kindness to
this pour man, and myself would pass
the matter over at once, hut my paI tner
takes a different view, ,and cannot inter-
fere."
"Can see Mr. Blendon r.
"Yes, II You will Call again in two
haa.s-n y
In the cab kept mutterine to myself
'.Blendon, and Robert Bendon, too! |
am sure OF it. Still, if it be so, it is very
strange. l think should know that
face again. We shall see who will be
master"
Back to Messrs. BlendoD, Bavdon &
Co.'S office, and then in the presence OF
Mr.. Blendon. All my anxiety for nv
poor friend faded away was master
of the situation. l stated my desire to
pay the amount of Staining's defalca.
ton, and my hope that under the exten.
uating circumstances no publicity would
ho uivon IN Tho ruiaoroh hlo uronu ,fo;pr