Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1885-12-11

troubled him not, and no wonder, since
he could regard unmoved his own mani
mate body, extended there on the couch,
its eyes fixed, and staring nj darkness. y
man learns to accommodate himself to
circumstances. What chiefly annoyed
Lund was that he could not make out the
identity of his travelling companion. He
could see himself effectively but as soon
as he tried to look at this companion the
latter in some way eluded him. And yet
they sat and walked shoulder to shoulder,
and spoke together face to face. 1t was
very annoying. After all, though, what
matter about any ones company when the
end of the pilgrimage is love-love and
the lOVelicst maiden in the world
This knocking and pounding were most
extraordinary Was it the jolting of the
coach over the rough pavement No; it
was the mob at the doors of the jail come
to drag the prisoner forth and Kill him.
Nonsense yOnder Old bOOkworm is drop.
ping his armful of books, one after an
other. When they are all gone the pound
ing will stop unless he picks them up
again. But there again-H a SO dark,
too What is it = All rght--yes- here !!
Lund staggered to his feet, pressed his
hands to his eyes, stood unsteadily for II
moment or two, then grOped his way to
the door and threw it open. a glare of
light from the hallway dazzled him, so
that he bllnked and shaded his eyes ; but
there was a man standing there-a young
man, handsome, vigorous, laughing and
| holding out his hand.
why Ferris, old man, how are you
/ Have YOU forgotten Jack Austen They
told me you were here and was bound to
get at you What's the matter Been
asleep. of course Your old tricks The
same old Lund But no more maps this
evening. I've come to wake you up"
Come in" said Lund, shaking his hand
cordially IL don't know what | could
have been thinking of. lay down few
minutes ago to smoke Il cigar-but that
was before sunset and now it's dark. |
wasn't sleepy-but suppose must have
were you knocking long ~
| Austen only laughed, stumbled against
IL chair, and sat down in it, Lund got Il
match and lit his lamp, Austen glanced
round the room, and then fixed his gray
eyes on his friend with an amused expires
sion.
sleepy - exclaimed he; II should say
so You're asleep yet, and here it is not
o'clock. Your habits cry out for reform,
my dear fellow, and am the man for
your need. This isn't IL bad little
corner you've squeezed yourself into, by
the by. And how comes on the science of
EsCulapius -
I.und pointed to Il framed diploma hang
ing on the wall, which announced to
whom it might concern that Ferris Lllnd
| had been admitted to the degree of Bach
elor of Medidne.
My dear doctor, accept my homage and
congratulations ~ said the other, patting
his friend on the knee. But is this your
official chamber Is it here that the cup
ping and blistering, the physcking and
phltering are transacted p
81 haven't begun practice yet" replied
/ Iund. There is no hurry and | am
more interested in the literary phase of
the profession than in the practical. |
have Il notion of writing something"
bah the literary phase Write Il
novel, or an arithmetic, or Il love sonnet,
if you like but work on medicine--no {.
What you want and must have, Ferris, is
activity. You are always going into
brown studies, and falling asleep. Why
didn't you follow my example and join
the army? You might have been sur
geon if you wished but at any rate you'd
have some fun Why, during these
eighteen months since saw you last I've
never mad dull hour-not even when |
natter myself that know something.
The worst of you is, you have an indie
pendent income the best opening for you
would be Il petition in bankruptcy. How
ever, | have three months lea, e, and that
is So much to your good. What are you
going to do this evening ~
well, Pm generally here in the eve
nings," replied Lund, smiling at the vi
vacity of his companion.
"Of course you are, but now Pm going
to bring you up with Il round turn. In
the first place, we start in half an hour
for the opera where have the entrec of
Lady Pamela box and between the acts
you shall go behind the scenes and be
presented to the Diva and as you are Il
handsome dog, in spite of your laziness,
| shouldn't wonder if you got an invita-
ton to sup with her. You are sadly def
ciert in the discipline and civilization
which only woman can effect, and you
couldn't do better than begin with the
Diva. Number twO-tomorrOw Tor next
day, for you'll want to sleep all day to-
morrowJ-day after tomorrow, then, we
start on journey
"A Journey - repeated Lund, looking
up.
"A journey, pilgrimage, Il campaign,
or whatever you like. At all events, we
take our places on the coach and Il day S
iolting more or less, will bring us TO our
destination
"And what is that :
"All in good time. I'm not going to I'm
fold myself any further at present. But
you shall see some wise fellows and, which
is more. some householders, and, which
is more, as pretty piece of flesh rs thee
Is between this and Tom % GrOat and
one that knows the law, 90 to and II rich
fellow enough, go to and one that hath
two gowns ami everything handsome
about her Come away and if do not
show you good reason forget not, when
time ana place sllaIl specify, 10 WHO me
down an Ass ~
"A travelling booth would suit you bet
ter than the army said Lund well, we
will think further about the journey but
as for tonight
Give me tonight" the other eXclaim-
ed, tourishing the light cane he carried
land I'll answer for. Hullo by
,Jove ~
, There had been u crash. The cane had
struck the Venetian vase and Knocked 1t
of the mantelpiece, and it lay on the floor
) in irremediaDle fragments.
Pm awfully sorry, old fellow said
Austen. WAS it valuable ~
That's as one happens to feel" replied
Lund. But 1t had lived to "A good age
and very likely it had served its pur
> pose,
".
Lets get out and stretch our legs
} said Austen II couple Of days later. "lf
I were the King, I'd make cOnyicts ride al
- day in stage coaches. And You are even
L.l t.