The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1885-10-22
A "MODEL FATHER. y
Story Of a Scheming Tragedian
and His Pretty Daughter.
Cow Cunning and Selfish Ambition on
the One Hand, and Innocent Purity
and DutifuI Devotion on
the Other.
BY DAVID CHRISTIE MURRAY.
CHAPTER XII-CONTINtrEp.

hir. Pelham Vane walked ponderous.
ay into the bar-parlor at a quarter to
eleven o'clock, buttoned to the chin,
and wearing hat Of suspicious gloss.
Good evening, gentlemen, said Mr..
Fane. The company murmured a re-
spectful answer, the faces of the guests
wore vacant air, and their eyes looked
anywhere rather than at Mr.. Vane.
That gentleman's arrival had put sud-
den finish TO an animated discussion
upon his artistic style, his personal
bearing and his antecedents; and for a
.moment the Mudpoolians, who were
not rapid people, had no other topic
ready.
Ripper, the miller, sober man enough
as a rule, had somewhat exceeded in his
potatiOns. and in those circumstances
was apt to play the hard-headed fellow.
not to be put down by clamor. and de-
termned 10 express his own convic-
tons. His compeerS had been content
10 let him talk noisily to himself in n
corner until now, and Ripper. observing
the lUll, but being too far gone 10 take
-cognizance of its cause, addressed the
conclave.
''NclO you'll listen to reason" said
the miller, with a corkscrew motion of
the thumb "BaShet? He's no more
like 'Gomery BASKET than L ammo
more like than chalk like cheese"
Mr. Pelham Vane turned and sur
veyed the speaker with a startled look,
and it was plain to erybody except
the drunken miller that the actor recog-
nized himself as the subject of dis
course.
"'Gomery BASKET" pursued Mr..
Ripper, rejoicing in the silence, and feel
ing that he had at last secured an au-
dience, was the very finest actor ever
lived. That's what he was. And as
for this Teller, why" Mr. Story. the
ironmonger, drove an accidental elbow
into the miller's ribs, and Mr.. Ripper,
who was quarrelsome in his cups,
changed his theme, and heaped abuse
upon his neighbor. The onlookerS
5reathed more freely.
There was at the Mudpool Hotel, as
there generally is in these cases, a Gu
rious mixture of contempt and rever-
ence in the mental attitude of the
habitues toward MIR. Pelham Vane
There was something, beyond doubt, of
the vagabond and the nomad about
him, and the Mudpoolians knew well
enough why he buttoned his coat so
closely. And yet there was divinity
that hedged him, and in dim sort of
way they looked upon him as an artist.
He was not wholly respectable, but he
could do some things they could not
do, and he had had experience beyond
their marrow sphere, and something of
the glamour of the parts he played
still hung about him, seedv as he was.
Scotch whisky hot. Mr.. Povey, if
YOU please said the traged;an. in
tones that filled the room and left a
mellow tinkle among the glasses on the
shelves. There was silence again, and
the magnificent shabby man turned to
the miller Il believe | heard YOU
make a very complimentary reference
just now to my old friend Montgomery
Bassett, sir" he said. May l ask
where yt'u saw him play?"
Il don't know what that's got to do
with you" returned the miller.
Il beg your pardon, SIR" said the
player. Il was under the impression
that l addressed gentleman.
That serves yOW right, Ripper" said
the lron-monger, and an affirming MUIR
muir went around the room.
Not as l mind answering the ques-
ton, said the miller, feeling himself
in marked minority. Il seen him in
Southampton the last time he PLAYED
there. And l say again-meauing no
oiense to anybOdy-he was the best
actor as ever lived. bar none. And
what say stick to"
Now there was in this an Intentional
and obvious insult to the PLAYER. and
one of the company tried an emollient.
present company is always ex-
cepted"
Il don't except nobody. past nor
present" said the miller, obstinately.
What l say is, the late 'Gomery
BASKET was finest actor ever was in the
world"
' am proud to hear you say so,
sir, cried the player, in his ponderous
tones. "Bassett was my dearest friend"
The miller looked at him with scornful
incredulity. Il am proud to hear you
say so, sir" said the player again.
Another Scotch hot, if you please, Mr..
2oYey"
When one came to look at Mr.. Pei
ham Vane, one found signs of wreck
age by drink upon him. When he
lifted his glass to his lips, his hand
shook terribly, and his eyes gloated on