Daily Republican., 1884-03-21
ORIGINAL
THE OLD SECRETARY.
BY RYE ROSSE.


"DEAR PHIL The shooting Is excel
lent, and knowing your fondness To-
such sport, l invite you to pack YOU
vslise, leave your pills and patients ant
medicine chest to care for themselves
and come down here and pay me wha
you owe me-a visit. A refusal Il
something won't accept, 80 don't en-
deavOr to make one. Nothing short O
your untimely dscease will satisfy IN,
for your non appearance, at Darkwoot
Station, on the 18th"
Such was the epistle that |, PhiliI
Brete', NJ. d, of the city of BrOtherly
Love, received one morning from my
old college "chum" and classmats
John BranscOmbe,a bachelor, who lived
on his many acres and his money in q
quaint little village in the county d
New Cattle, in Delaware.
had never visited John Branscombe
he had given mo repeated In
vitations TO do 80, Upon leaving oul
Alma Mater our ways had been widely
apart. He had a comfortable income
and had hought to do but enjoy 1t while
|, who had not been so blessed by the
gods, had studied medicine and had
betaken myself to South America TO
carve my fortune out in that line. Sue
cess had finally rewarded my efforts,
and af er An absence OF twenty years
| had returned to my native city, where
still continued a 9racticiug disciple OF
Although during this time " seas be.
tween us broad had roared," we had
never quite lost sight of each other, but
had kept up regular correspondence,
and mcrited as much az ever the names
bestowed upon US by our college spon-
sers at mock christening-Damon and
Pythias.
hal been contemplating q visit to
my friend for some time and was not at
ali loath to accept his cordial invitation.
Accordingly wrote note to that ef-
feet, and on the day appointed ! found
myself passenger on the south bound
train for DarkewOOd. Here, as the
purple shadows of eve were falling over
,he quiet country, John met me, and
after q short drive we found ourselves
in his sanctum" and as delighted TO
,ee one another as we were in the old
lays at Yale.
After hearty supper, which | en-
joyed with all the Zest of hungry
traveller, we again repaired to the
" sanctum" to indulge in quiet chat
and social pipe.
Damon, this reminds one of old
tines" don't it 2" said John, content.
edly putting Whit from his meer-
,chaum and eying me with benignant
smile through the clouds of smoke.
. What gay old larks we used to have
Just twenty years ago. Bless me, how
time goes Al this rate you will soon
be able to remove your hat and show
silver threads among the gold. -
Possibly. But don't you think you
are mistaken in surprising that time
goes ?" suggested. 81 think that time
stays, and we go; If this wer not true
then we were always young and we
would have no desire to stay the fleet
ing hours. But banished be all serious
thought! Let us forget everything OK
sept, that, we are boys again, just
for to night"
John chimed in with my mood and
for more than an hour we INDUCED in
"reminiscences of school-boy sports.
roles and adventures, and as we had
been "ieading spirits" we had plenty
20 recall
There is something strangely pleasant
% men who lave passed the heyday
If youth in recalling and reciting
youthful exploits. They are GASES
which are found nowhere else through
ife and TO which memory loves to
back and refresh tself. Mem
,ries that cluster round that period Of
line tell us OF pure motives, a clear
exalted ambition and earnest
Very few men retain
hese intact through life; yet it is
pleasant to live over again the time
when they were once ours.
During pause in our interesting
| noticed, standing in a
ecess between the wild. fireplace and
ne of the long windows, a massive
mahogany secretary, whose solemn
rent shone with the soft, rich lustre
peculiar to age and which | was anti
luarian enough to know was highly
,rized.
"That is a fine piece of furniture"
remarked, nodding carelessly toward
t. " Is 1t a curiosity, or an old FAM
ly relic"
John removed his pipe, stared at the
Id secretary thoughtfully, replaced
hat solacing article in his mouth again,
tared at me, and finally said
"No, it is not an heir loom, but there
y a very interesting story connected
With it that | should like you to hear.
t was, in fact, to acIuaint you with it
hat sent you such an urgent invita-
ion to visit me"
"While tlattered myself that it was
love alone that had actuated you," l
disgustedly. eff, however,
he story proves to be good one, I'll
orgive you your deception so try your
,est."
"The story will, I think, prove
worthy Of your attention." said John.
And a. q prelude to the recital he re-
uested me to fill my pipe afresh, per-
,rning the same Office for himself,
hen remarking,as he leaned back in his
hair and emitted cloud Of odorous
moke from his lips: "What an i'm.
lense amount Of comfort Is to be de-
wed from this to some obnoxious
reed. think Raleigh conferred uni
ersal blessing on mankind, and should
Q voted first in the hearts of his fellow |
l have always regarded
i'm with the most profound gratitude
nd admiration, and have often reflect
4 on the pleasure of our meeting in the
pirit land where ! shall be able
} render him all homage due.
Kindred sous in sweet commu-
ion," quoted |. -.
Exactly 70 returned John, with
mother long drawn puff Then as the
lue smoke assembled, curled and broke
, many feathery ring and fantastic
,rm around his head he thus began his
.Ory
"Three years ago, while in Philalel-
hia, | entered q furniture dealers TO
NY an easy chair, the one you are occu-
ying. Having concluded the purchase
nd arrangement as to how 1t was to be
was turning to depart, when
~ eye happened to rest upon an an