The Arkansaw traveler., 1884-02-09
A LIFE'S ODD AIM.

sized boys, or, properly speaking, chunks O lads," did not enjoy the atmosphere immediately surrounding old lake Speed loe The old fellow was industrious. Sunrise always found him at work. and sunset still saw him lingering there as though 10th to see darkness settle on an unfinished piece of labor. He had no bad habits. and was so very close in money matters that his stinginess be- came by-word. He purchased rug ged piece of land in an unsightly suburb and built house, surrounded 1t with a high stone wall, setting into it gate of such close fit that Il looked like the door of 4 tomb No one was ever invited to his house. and so grim were his surround ings that, although great curiosity was ventured to penetrate the pcn,-up gloom. Little children, taught no doubt by su- perstitious nurses. used 10 believe that the old man shut himself in his re,rea, and made the darkness 0! night and then blew ii over the surrounding country.
 The old fellow had some education and had doubtless read old books, for he often expressed himself in vague way. One tune, when discussion arose Tn re- gard to Life old Speedloe, without, having been called upon. said
 The philosophy of life in each indi vidual is as intangible now as it was in the days when the ancients carved rude wisdom on slabs of stone. Some men think that they have life's labor to per form, work that will make the world better and hand their names down to succeeding generations; but when the great labor is nearing is close, the work man is rarely satisfied with himself He regre,fully contemplates many places where his mission could have been bet ter discharged and thinks tha, if he could live his life over again, vast improve mcnts would be made. 1 know of but one man who is thoroughly pleased with himself, and as strange as il may seem to you all, that man is myself
 "What IS your life's work 7" was asked
 IL is nothing to make me great, and nothing to make men say my time was well employed, bu, gentlemen, more grateful eyes have looked into mine, more genuine gladness shown a, my ap- proach. more true friendship gathered around my chair than any of you have ever seen.
 The poor old fellow Is crazy" said one of the company when Speedloe walked away .' have often heard him speak of the insinoeri,y of man. and de- clare that he can no, be trusted His con- tidence, early in life. must have received back eye"
 Probably he was deceived by a wo- man" said gentleman. whose heart had been shattered by powdered young lady of fashion.
 don't think so. for he has never mentioned woman. He does no, seem to consider the weaker sex a, all. doubt less regarding the male sex as weak enough
 Year after year passed withou, she'd ding additional ligh, on the nature or intentions of old Speedloe The lots in his immediate neighborhood could no, be sold, for it was declared tha, witches were nightly heard to howl around the old mans house. Men. who were no, in the least supers,i,ious. and who booted like owls of cyincal wisdom at the anxie,ies of their wives and children, were bold in passing Speedloe's house when the sun shone. bu, at night. some how, they gave il more room
 One day, recently. the old man failed to appear at the scene of his daily labor. People wondered at this. for. regardless of weather. he had ever been punctual When, the day following. he still was missing, party of men decided to inves- tisase the cause. They wen, to his house and knocked at the gate No response. Knocked again. A ,errihc how, within. The men were bold. and the sun was shining. yet they looked |; each o:her Tn alarm. One man took hold of the knob and shook l, until the gate ra,;!ed Tn i's easement. An unearthly yell arose, not from one but from many ;hroa,s. The encloslle seemed to be alive with bowling demons. The bold gentlemen decided that the gate should be opened by authority of law. None of,hem were afraid, but each one had such respec, for legal processes that he decided no, to violate the sanctity of citizen enclosure Finally, several constables. deputy sheriff, and other anxious men. including the bold gentlemen of former attempt.