Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-10-31
THE ROMANCE OF A CHROME
PEDLER.

| "Dick, have been thinking all this afternoon
OF one OF Professor Crofts' queer theories-you
! must remember 1.-THE one on which affirmed
that a man, If allowed to indulge each aud all o
his whims, would In time become monomanic
Because every man, he claimed, had some weak
ness or passion in his nature that when fully
| developed, would cause monomania.
"How we did combat that idea and argue
with himi Have you forgotten ali those good OLD
times? No, of course not But as was saying
| since arriving In Denver have changed my
mind, and begin to think there was much OIL
| truth In his theory; and It's you makes me
think so.r
"I?" And Dick Wade stopped short In his
walk across the floor to gaze 2, me I'm surprise
| eyes you. What do You call 1t but a streak
| Otto put 1t miidly-Inonomania, when q man
possessed of his thousands of dollars, and owner
his business, as you did to-day. to look at and
! buy three of the awfulest daubs--you can't call
them pantingsno,, picture pedler that came me
| cutter fiat-iron holder and two miserable chro
mos OF other asents,-things that are of no earth.
1 ly use to you, unless you are making collection
OF pedlers wares-is that it?
$50 you saw all these transactions of mine?
had forgotten you were here at the time; yet,
/ old boy, please don't fndOrse the professors the
DRY on that account, for there is much of method
| In my seeming madness.
"But it's long story; to tell it all will take
some time; so come into my private office, and
you can have smoke, while bore you with an
explanation" And he led the way, while only
do you zee that great pile Of chromos and
other pictures in the corner?--all bought from
pedlers-and that box there is full of patents,
etc., also purchased from agents.
"Do buy of every one that comes along? No,
only OF those who look needy and discouraged
do do with the stuf9 My Christmas offering to
some OF our orphan asylums, hospitals, ect., gem
| orally consists in part of pictures. books. and
Bob turning to me suddenly, "were YOU
ever a stranger in q strange land without shil-
nS IN sha
once"
"You~ cried in Advertisements.
ayes, I, and it's strange what queer reckless
feeling comes over man at such time. He
feels ifit wasn't himself but some one else that
ob
ago that we said goOd-by to each other at dear
old Cornell, and much has happened to both of
''You remember worked so hard for honors
that last year, that after commencement was
sick for months. The physician called it ner-
change OF climate and outof-door life, or there
was danger of my sinking into q decline, the
same way In which mother did.
"Father had planned for my help, as I, being
the oldest, was TO share his burdens in the mer-
camille business and so my sickness was sad
of 1t, gave me two hundred dollars, and off
started with knapsack and gun, to rough it in
tine, the ia Ara west f4r time Reaching Colorado,
strange adventures worth telling you Of another
day.
better, accepted the position of teacher in q
select school, and FOR some time was very sue
cessfnl with my work.
some heavy losses father had met with; and
you can magazine the pleasure 1t gave me to
think was no longer burden to him, but on
the contrary would soon be able to paw back
the money loaned to me, and SO wrote him.
ALIAS for all human plans! The measles
first 10 suffer from the disease. It left my eyes
and nerves in such q weakened condition that
for a time teaching was not to be thought OF.
AT that time there was expert Ocuiist in
Denver, so came here to obtain his treatment.
But the fatigue of the journey brought back my
old enemy and for weeks again lay suffering
with a low fever.
THANKS to the physicians skill, month
found me able to walk out once more, and to
use my eyes very little.
"But while strength was slowly increasing,
the contents OF my pocketbOOk were rapidly
awoke one morning to find myself penniess.
Then came the pawnfng OF watch and gradual
ing suit, of my class ring and books, until all
was gone but one suit of clothes and a few trink-
cts OF no value dismal enough outlook to be
thus pennies and friendless In q land where
everything is high.
"BuJ just add to that my being unable to work
and the PossessOr of to much pride to again
write home for aid and do you wonder that
floor one morning seriously calculating how
certain death would be should JUMBO There
was two-story addition to the hotel, and
directly under me a large glass skylight.
feared striking Oh this would so break the force
oil the fall that death might not be inStantane-
Gus, and as have the greatest horror OF pain
that thought saved me. Instant death would
be q relief, but TO suffer lingering death, even
my miserable present existence was preferable
to that.
80 reluctantly turning away, with only two
dollars in my pocket, went down TO the dim
ing-room, resolved, alter breakfast, TO try and
find some light employment with which to
earn a lodging and daily bread. Ii the day s
search was not successful, there was the window
to come back to as an end for all my troubles.
probably this sounds very foolish to you,
Bob, but TO me then ii seemed as II in life there
was nothing TO look forward to, and my death
would only be one less burden for father to
carry.
ain this mood entered the breakfast-room: it
was late, and only lew still fingered over their
coffee. Choosing a small table near the door,
hoped 10 be left alone. but had just ordered
breakfast when stranger, evidently late
arrival, entered and seated himself opposite to
me. \ travelling man decided at once, and q
gooi-looking and welldressed fellow. The pos-
SCISSOR OF social disposition and that expert
Ness in reading character and gaining a mans
goodwill that MS class generally acquire he
probably knew at a glance that / was sick and
Respondent; as he once set about the
charitable task OF cheering me up, and sue
ceeded so we'll that ere the meal was half over
under the warming influence of his smiles and
many anecdotes, found myself laughing right
heartily, who not an hour before had con.
teInpiatsd suicide. Thus are our natures SO
easily affected by surroundings.
My lively companion soon Informed me that
he was agent for "A large eastern chrome manu-
featuring company, and wa, trying TO get can
vassers for his goods here in the city.
This, you mind, was before the days when
chrofnos were so common as now. and he told
such marvellous tales Vt the money made in SELL
Ing his pictures, that, to make a long story
short, my two dollars went for pictures and
started out canyaSsng.
THAT was the longest day 1 ever knew so
weak, IL Was mere force of will kept me moving
tried street after street. But you know what
Kind OF q reception canvasSers meet with. Six
O'Clock found ine far away from the hotel and
with only two sinai, pictures sold. Profits fifty
tempted me again to end life, but feeling it was
weak to give up so, l decided TO try large
goOd-lOoking house that stood near by, and
then, II no more fortunate, to return and end
life. / never wonder at the great number of
suicides in our country, for to me then death
seemed tine greatest blessing could receive.
IAN old woman answered my ring at the door
and smiling pleasantly when she saw nv
satche!, babe me enter tit was n boarding-house
found out afterwardS), probably thinking l
was new bOarder. But AS soon my errInd
was made known. the smile turned at once in to
the blacklist OF irowHs, and such d harangue
upon the subject of good-fOr- nothing pc oilers as
by the old dragon opening the door and telling
me 10 leave at once. Rising To do SO, the room
seemed suddenly to dance and whirl, and fell
fainting to the floor.
Consciousness was first aroused by some.
tning cold and wet in my face.. Opening my
eyes TO see what II was, they Looked directly
into pair of The deepest blue ones lowering
filled with tears, and surrounded by maze OF
DARK hair. Is this heaven and are you one of
the beautiful angels?' I feebly asked; for, old
Doy. III was just as real to Dle that had died