The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1884-03-20
A GENERAL DELUSI0N.

"Rat, tat, tat"
Responsive to the vigorous poundings
apon his front door that had produced the
above sounds, Farmer Williams dropped
the paper he was reading and went to the
door, at the close of an afternoon in early
May.
81 have called to see if you are in want
of help for the summer" remarked a young
man-evidently not far from twenty five
upon whom Mr.. Williams looked as he
opened the door.
'sWen, l am short of help this season."
81 should like to engage to work for
YOU"
"Come in and we will talk the matter
over, Mr."-
"Ainslee-Chsrles Ainslee."
And the two entered the house.
"Are you accustomed to farm work 2" in
quired Mr.. Williams, as the newcomer
seated himself and placed a valise, which he
carried, ON the floor beside him. "You do
not look as if you were, or very strong
either"
And, indeed, the farmers words were
true. Mr.. Ainslee was tall and of a deli
cate frame, while his pale features and
slender white hands indicated, if not i'll
health, an unfamiliarity with manual out
.of-door labor.
81 never did days work on a farm in
my life," was the frank response. 81 have
always lived in the city where my chief &C.
cupation has been to get rid of the time.
AS you suggested, my health is not very
good, and l thought a change of scene
would prove beneficial. Owing TO sud-
den-but will not trouble you with re-
cital of my personal affairs"
Mr.. Williams imagined he saw before
him young man who, by reverse of for
tune, had been brought from affluence to
poverty, and compelled to depend upon his
own efforts for support. And, kind heart
ed as he was, his sympathy at once went
out toward the applicant tor situation.
81 should prefer not to say anything
about my family or home," continued Mr..
Ainslee, though L assure you the former
is an honorable one, and that have never
done aught to disgrace it,"
81 believe you and appreciate your feel
ingS," said Mr.. Williams, his heart entire
1y conquered by the speakers candor.
81 do not expect can do much work at
first, but perhaps enough to pay my board.
Eventually, l think l shall prove worthy of
something more"
81 am confident you will, and 1 assure
you shall be willing to pay you all your
services deserve. So you may consider
yourself engaged, and this place your home
for the present"
81 am glad to know it, as it will save me
further search"
As the days passed, the "hired man"
made good his assertion that he thought he
would prove worthy of some compensation
above his board. He was active and in
dustrious, striving in every way to work
for the interests of the man who had given
him employment without any recommended
tion save his own word. Indeed, not un-
frequently, Mr.. Williams cautioned him
about overriding, lest he become i'll. But
teamwork seemed to agree with him ex-
-cellently: he grew robust, the pallor of his
cOuntenance faded away, as his delicate
hands took on a suggestion of BROWNIES
and numerous callouSes.
His refinement of speech and manner
never deserted him, however, and Mrs.
Williams declared him lust Splendid
=actly such a person as she should wish a
son to be-" She was childless. All who
formed his acquaintance conceived an ar
dent liking for him, pitied and respected
him, too, believing as they did that he had
moved in the best society, and, forced to
renounce it by untoward circumstances,
-courageously undertaken to earn his own
livelihood.
He was found to be an accomplished mu.
stefan, and chosen organist and leader OF
the choir in the one church which Campton
the town where be was stopping boosted
no person being more earnest to have him
serve in this dual capacity than the elderly
man who had officiated thus for many
years, and was painfully conscious of his
incompeteucy. Thence forward, this part
of the religious exercises was especially
pleasing; and the attendance upon divine
service rapidly increased, many coming to
hear the singing, who would not have come
simply for the purpose of listening to the
pastors somewhat prosy discourses.
Naturally, as chorister, he gained the
goodwill of all the church members, and
was invited to the various entertainments
directly under the auspices of the society
His fertility in devising novel features that
would add 70 the interest of these gather.
-ings was heartily appreciated, and even
the 'sewing-circle" was pronounced ''dull'
if he CHANGED to be absent therefrom.
The citizens of Campton decided to have
a grand celebration on the Fourth of July,
and a commit ne was chosen to invite Mr.
Ainslee-he had come to be regarded as
equal to any emergency-to act as orator
of the day.
"I do not feel myself competent to &C
.cept, though thank you for the proffered
honor" he observed, with q smile, to the
young man who waited upon him; sand
beside, think there are pleasanter WAYS OF
passing the day than in listening Co an
GRAFTON. 1t seems 10 me, patriotic play
would be a novelty and interesting"
"It certainly would, but l know of no one
who will take the matter in hand, unless il
be yourself"
al have had quite an experience in anna
teur theatricals, and shall be willing to de-
L Cdu III VI Sc4SctAuS al
pirate play, and casting the characters, il
such be the wish of your committee OF
exercises --.
az can assure you it will, and that they
will thank you for your kindly assistance
So Mr.. Ainslee-we speak of him thu:
formally because the people of CamptoI
never addressed him as Charles, there
being about him q certain dignity, entirely
free from haughtiness, that restrained then
from such familiarity-sent for the neces
sary copies of play which he considered
suitable for the occasion, and then selected
those who should personate the differen
characters. 2
Not from egotiSm, but because be wa
confident that he could do it better than
any one else in Campton, he took the par
of the hero as his own, and assigned til,
other parts TO such young ladies and gen
tlemen of his acquaintance as he though
would most creditably perform them, ant
20 them carried copies of the drama
Somewhat to his surprise and greatly Il
his pleasure, no one refused to act or ex
pressed the least dissatisfaction with hi
east of characters.
Only one thing annoyed him; he knew
no one qualified to act as the leading lad,
In the piece. 1t was really difficult rot
to play; one that, to its proper perform
ance, would require no little histrioni
ability on the part of her who assumed il
In conversation with the young lady VIII
was to play the part most important ate
that of the hero and heroine, he mentione
ais dilemma.