The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1885-04-02
The BROWN STONE Boy !
i, ICONCLUDED.

1t need not be supposed that the
record of chronic mishap and miscar-
riage ended even with this. But more
than enough has no doubt been given
to show the eccentricities, the ire
sponsible view and manner of Efe, OF
type Of character of which many
another prosperous family produce $
its example. The ''poor old lady" had
stood by him. through all, paid the
score of his escapades, and paid it
more dearly yet, no doubt, in her
hearts yearning, her disappointed af-
fection, over this graceless son. She
had had intervals of holding aloof,
but even these were probably designed
more in salutary spirit to him than
in real sternness. [ gathered that he
had just now left his country for his
country's good; he had perhaps done
something which would perhaps make
it rather inconvenient for him to re-
turn to New York. But, again, he
said that his mother wished him to re-
turn, and marry a pretty and virtuous
girl whom she had picked out for
him.
bah! | don't want any molly-cod-
die. That amt my style. Besides. /
amt on the marryin' lay" was his
comment on this proposition.
Recollecting, however, that this
was hardly in keeping with his newly
assumed character for steadiness, he
corrected himself
Il don't know but l will, though.
May be | will. I'll see about it.
Being questioned further as to his
proposed learning Of the meat-can-
ming industry, he rather avoided the
subject. Then, one day, he came in
with distrait air, and broke the 81
lence with, Say! I've got to send the
old lady certificate that I've gone to
work in the business for which she
sent me- the money. You wouldn t
want to sign it, would you?''
Are you engaged in the business?"
''Well, no, but | will be next Mon
day morning, sure. It's only dating
it little ahead, you see.'
[ didn't exactly seem to see this.
"Well, l. caly mentioned it." said
he. Il thought perhaps she'd like to
have your name to it, on account of
your comm from New York. Shed
have more confidence in it." and he
went off, for him, rather disconsolate-
ly.
Alas and alas, tor the the poor old
lady! There was undoubtedly ample
store of trouble awaiting her yet.
From this time [ saw less and less
of the brown-stone boy, and his ap-
pearance on these meetings, such as
they were, were hardly calculated to
promote a sanguine view of his per-
manent reformation. He had made
new acquaintances. He strolled with
them on the principal thoroughfare,
laughing loud, and he played much at
billiards with them. They were of a
fashy, impudent aspect. I saw him
driving them out in handsome We
hlcle, and, again, surrounded by them
at box in the theatre, where he was
evidently their entertainer, as he was
their central and ruling spirit.
He came once to borrow sum of
money, on the pretext of having left
his pocket-book at home, and after
that returned no more. I met him
one evening in the streets; stupidity
intoxicated, his fine apparel gone, and
his aspect as shabby as when | had
first seen him on shipboard. As [
was leaving the place, and on the way
to take the train, [ met him again.
He was even more dilapidated, but So
ber now, or at least coherent in his
talk
''Hel-lo, pard! You Off" he crit d.
In hilarious greeting. "Well, be good
to yourself! You wouldn't mind
droppin' a feller a dollar, as you're
goin', would you? I've been workin'
in theatre Say! I've got the big
gest scheme out. [ wish you had more
time to stop and talk.-Say! Well,
so longr'
1t was not my final leave-taking Of
him, however, as | had thought. [
was obliged to return some two
months later. | passed, one day, the
hospital on the cold and windy-look-
ing hill. The porter recognized me,
hesitated, then, with a certain eager
ness
''You was with him that day." he
said. ut would be kind O. chart
to step up and see him minute; he's
in bad way
"Who's in bad way I asked.
''The short, shmilin' one, that was
chafin' me that day, don't ye mind?"
/ mounted the stairs with him, and
there, in the ward of the pauper sick,
lay the brown-stone boy. He was
emaciated to the last degree. His eyes
were closed, as [ first stood by his iron
cot, and they were abnormally large,
in their hollow sockets, as he feebly
opened them.
"Yes, it's me, pard," he said. I'm
laid up. I got a heavy cold on me,
see? I've got to stop these rackets;