The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1884-06-25
From Harper's Weekly.l
THE COUNSELL0R'S STORY.
By MRS. FRANK MCCARTHY.

Il don know anything ABOUT IaDIe-
tipping or spirit-rapping, said the
Counsellor: ''it's difficult for man in
my profession to believe in the super
natural; but certain conclusive evidence
has led me to think that the attributes
of an angel or devil may cling pretty
closely to a featherbed. We were old
classmates, Jack Henderson and and
when | decided to go into law as a pro-
fessiou, Jack took to oils and colOrs. Not
exactly as a profession, but he fitted up
studio at the back of his shop, and,
according to my poor opinion, some OF
the pictures he gave away to his friends
would have brought fine figure if
placed in the artistic market. But he
depended upon the regular line OF busi-
ness in paints and oils, and did pretty
well from the start.
In the meanwhile | was spending my
poor little inheritance for the common
necessities Of life. The country town
where we lived seemed to be as full of
squabbles and broils as usual, but not a
client could | get, and here was | burn
ing my candle at both ends, while Jack
dropped in day after day with the news
of his growing prosperity. More exas-
perating than all he was about to mar
ry the girl he loved, while my own en-
gagement dragged indefinitely its weary
length along.
How did envy him that November
day he came to invite ME to his weddingl
1t was that suicidal kind of weather
when a muggy atmosphere oppresses
mind and body, when, if a man IS down,
it seems as if no power on earth can lift
him up again, and the happiness of an
other adds an additional misery to his
own Iuekless fate held letter in my
hand from my adored Sophy, wherein
the poor girl delicately conveyed to me
the Inconvenience of further prolonging
an already exhaustive wooingi | had
lust received the third dun from my
tailor for the shabby clothes l was
vet wearing my Office rent was due;
my boy had thrust his impudent tongue
in his cheek when | had reproyed him
for a sharp reioinder; my bank account
was closed; and | could scarcely i'm
agine where my next meal was to come
from.
As sat brooding over all these mise
ries the door was suddenly flung open,
and in came my friend Jack with an
air of hilarious happiness that would
have been infectious to man less hope
Iessly stricken than myself. My impor-
tunate tailor had evidently exhausted
his skill in devising a becoming outtit
for this fortunate customer, who was an
advertisement in himself, so happily
did every favor of fortune hang upon
him. His fine eyes shone with open
triumph and delight, even the depress-
ing weather had no effect upon him, and
clapping me upon my despondent
shoulder he asked me out to dinner
with him.
tfMy dear boy he said, Congratulate
me. Pm the happiest fellow in the
world. The day is fixed the invitations
will be out tomorrow. want you for
my best man"
He must have noticed the bitter grin
that distorted my visage, for his eyes
wandered down the frayed edges OF my
coat, and rested upon the broken tips OF
"And while am about it, Bob," he
said, 81 may as well pay you that old
debt of mine. The interest must be
pretty considerable now, but we'll let
that 90. Under present circumstances
you mustn't be hard on a fell0w-un-
usual expenses, etc.; but I'll make
out check for the original amount at
once.
He drew out his check-book, and
handed me call upon the bank for q
comfortable sum that would put me
temporarily upon my feet. The whole
thing was so delieately and quickly con-
trived, and my strait was so desperate
that accepted his generosity without 9
word of remonstrance, resolving that
would hold the obligation in my heart
of hearts. Then he went on talking Of
his felicity to a more responsive audi
tor.
scYOu remember my grandmother
Bob9 What splendid old lady she is
One Of the finest creatures God evel
mudel I owe everything to my grand
i mother. Whatever there IS of man il
me, and d happy, prosperous man a
that. comes of her love and kindness
Now what do You think she has SEN
me for wedding PRESENT. Something
as big and soft and bountiful as ths
4 heart that devised It. A feather-bed
BobI--a bouncing, imposing, magnifi
4 cent feather-bedl You remember th.
geese down on the old farm -
Yes, Jack replied, warmed to in
lterest by my friends enthusiasm and
| the cheek that rested, with poor Sophy'
letter, next my heart; but are yoE
! lsnre they are not all swans r.
Nhatevef Is their species, be re
Il ioined. they are rare specimens Of i
How graceful are their undnlations
& How they shine in the sunlight, like 81
Il lows 81 snow How they adorn and en-
IIiyen tie H0wery pastures Of the deai
Il 0ia farm! And the dear old ladJ
Iulueked these feathers from those mag
4 hiscenf birds No common ticking en-
Icompasses these treasures; iine, soft
superior article has been W5rlsn for thi
purpose by my GRANDMOTHER hersell
4 So 9on see, Bob. the whole thing S
labor 81 love. stay here i the lette
that acrom panied the eff And Jaek
pulled out his grand dmot her letter, read
ing IL as We ment along.
Accept my tribute to yonr hapni
mess wrote the fine ola Quakere
the spiEft nith which II IS given thee
Keep Il 10 the end of lhy life. Like "a
. love fof thee and thine, Il Is impeFishl
be Hay = be tafisnlan of mex hani
tfhie benefit e thee. and when reposIn
upon Il after tie labofs of tie day, con
sider & hf heaFl nl thy grand
nolh6l. haven 81 fesE and eanIel