National Republican., 1884-08-02
THE LOG HUT OF CLAPHAM

TIE LUZ HO VT NLNT T1AWl.
OF all tho suburbs south of the Thames
C,spham has the appearance of the most
homogeneous prosperity. Its ways arc
broad and open, its houses substantial and
well kept. An air of comfortable COM
peteuco is to be found in its quietest
nocks, whilo the splendor Of city riches
shines on its more conspicuous squares,
roads, and terraces The common is its
glory, the crown of its afiluonce. To live
on Clapham common means an obliging
banker, efficient servants, gallant horses,
and no more personal knowledge of bank
ruptcy than kafir has of ;estheticism.
OF all the houses on Clapham common,
the most spacious is the Log Hut. 1t
stands with four fair walls against the
four lights of heaven. Tho exterior
aspect is large and free; responsibility
without pretentiousness; comfortable
without sordidness; liberal without pro-
digality.
The interior moro than confirms the
outward promise. In summer it is full
of subdued sunlight, and open to the
wandering perfumes of the gardens
beyond. 1t is still, without being hushed
The silence seems always either brooding
over music fed or awaiting melody.
Sounds which abroad strike harshly upon
the ear, come mingled with murmur of
leaves. and are no more than the stray,
full-blooded notes Of an incomplete tune.
In winter huge fires blaze for welcome.
The silver shines, the pictures CLEAN, til Q
drapery grows mellow, the carpets catch
the warmth, the ceiling throws dowu the
glow of the ruddy ligth. Soft chairs and
couches woo the stranger to repose, and
importune him to delay.
The master of this house, Mr.. William
Bayliss, had just reached that period of
life when, fortune having favored him,
and he being untroubled by any later
growth of ambition, he was little disposed
for new enterprise, and made up his mind
to live what might be yet given to him of
life, in all the peacefulness of moderate
use. He was 60 years ofage.
Mr.. Bayliss was a man of rather more
than the middle hight. His figure was
but slightly stouter than forty years ago.
He had large, kindly blue eyes, broad,
unwrinkled forehead, and. save where a
fringe of gray hair ran round the lower
part of his head. he was quite bald. He
did not wear whiskers. beard, or nous
tache. In youth he had been good look
ing. In age he had O singularly gracious,
benevolent face.
Mrs. Bayliss, five years his junior, and
married to him thirty years ago, reflected
many of tho leading characteristics ofhis
expression. She had boon his good wife
oil that time. She believed that there
was no better man than ho in all the
world.
TO this good couple ono daughter has
been born. Kate wNs her name. And
now this day, in the middle of leafy June,
Kato was to be married. She WAS to
marry Edward Maync, the choice of her
own heart, the only sweetheart of her
love and respect of her father and mother.
Kate was 22, tall and 1.-THE, had dark
eyes and a round red check, and red lips
and dark-brown hair, with here and
there flaws Of lighter brown that made
rich gold OF tho sunlight. She smiled
oftencr than laughed, but whom she did
laugh there was such q tone of exquisite
enjoyment that people paused to listen as
we hush our rude voices when unaware5
we are startled by the lark.
Edward Mnync, WAS jovial, light
hearted fellow; tall, too, Aat-chested,
lightly built. and 1.-THE, with animal
spirits enough for n parish, good heart
enough for county, aud as much good
sense rs you would like to SEQ in any fine,
handsome dashing young fellow of seven
and twenty. Although he had not been
up TO this at all blameless, he was, oyery
one said who knew him well, of tho best
kind of raw material from which the bes.
kind of Englishman is made.
When all the oratorical fomalities of
the breakfast had been complied with,
aud yet an hour was to spare before the
bride and bridegroom set out upon their
honeymoon, tho master Of the house rosc
and said:
"rhere is Just time before the young
people leave us for little story, which
has been blameless secret between my
wife and me for many year. Some OF
you are old friends, yet think the men,
ory of none Of you reaches back to the
circumstance which caused mo to call this
house tho Log Hut.
at has been my good fortune-good
fortune for which am ever grateful to
heaven-that, have begun life with a
modest education and no fortune, have
arrived toward the close of my years at a
position of comfort-nay, moderate at
huence.
~ began life in the city Of London in
tho office of o largo timber firm. AT 16
entered tho office, and until / was close
upon 20 WAS occupied in tho ordinary
routine of the counting house. never
cared much for desk work, and was glad
Of the opportunity of leaving my desk
and taking position in our great timber
yard. Here was q life full of physical
activity, in which found scope for judg'
ment; at the otfico L had done merely
mechanical work.
''Marston q Co. bought and sold wood
of all kiuds-Swedish, North American
West Indian. British, African. quickly
became master of my business. liked
1t, and liking in business is moro than
half the battle. need not 20 into tech
nical detail it will be enough to say that
whom l reached hve-and-twonty years ol
age, was one OF the best judges oflogs in
London. To those who know nothing o.
the business, it may seom that little OIL
no skill is required in selecting timber
But when we come to consider the wide
difference Of prices of fancy wood of the
same kind, the value Of an expert will
appear.
"At this timeI had salary which will