The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1885-10-31

Why not dramatic, Benny? Tragic, l
say tearfully tragic, and sadly beau
tiful.
l regret very much for my readers
sakes that l find myself lacking in cour-
age to attempt chronicle of Phineas
Owen daily career from where | left
him in the preceding chapter to the
very hour this morning when Benny
brought me his fatal bit of news. |
know each incident of that time, know
them well and perfectly, but it is a bit
of history men may well call "sacrel.'
1t is far too much so for me to treat
upon in my unconclusive way. 1t was
q period of embattlement with as sturdy
a will and conscience as ever inhabited
the frame of mortal man. | said be-
fore that he outgrew the paper; it was
more than that, his spirit was troubled
sorely with an incessant yearninS for
something to do in the world, and be-
lievlng himself in love, Though lie
looked upon such matters in a deeper,
broader, and more acceptable light
than any youth of his tender years !
ever knew unmct by the public in
which he mingled, despairing, hoping
on, and finally deciding upon the best,
he cut loose the cords that bound him
to his first realized dream, babe fare
well to the friendships that enslaved
him, strived to forget the stignatism that
would follow his action, and sought
position as ordinary journeyman in a
neighboring office.
''Dan," said Benny to me one mid
night as we sat together over a letter
containing news of Phineas' late move
ment, don't you think this action of
his is somewhat like that of tiger ere
it springs upon its prey? He is crouch
ing low now, seeming around the tree
as it were, in the branches of which
he sees some coveted prize. Mark my
words well, Dan, if he doesn't make
spring soon that vii land him in a
mighty high and safe place l am more
mistaken than l ever was in my life
before
at is either that, Benny" | replied,
else his poor spirit has been SO much
trodden upon that he fears to rise
again."
IL think you are wrong there, Dan,"
returned Benny in a wiser tone and
manner than | had ever heard or seen
him use, "Phineas is not man to tca1,
such things. They do grieve him, l
know, and wound him, but there are
moments at such times when CLEANS of
sunlight and sparkles of rainbow float
over HIM with good effect and bene-
fits"
"Then all l can say is, Benny, he
himself and will act con-
siderately and for the best. We can
only strengthen HIM by our faithfulness
to his welfare, and by watching him, as
we always have, like brothers,
After Benny left me that night l
thought over and over again of his
words and the conclusion l came to
then stands the same to-day,-Phlneas
Owens has been captured again by some
higher motive and will make the sue
cessful spring ere long. 1t is sad to
think of that thing now, but sincerely
believe few years more of life would
have found him "high and SAFE" as
Benny expressed it. But very likely it
is best his sincere blue eyes should
have perceived the immortal prize,
when his spirit sprang this morning
above the dust and clay, than for him
to have fingered on with us through
years that might have brought satisfac-
ton for his hopes, and that might have
brought eternal blight upon them.
The most notable success he made
in the new profession he had chosen
was, after many failures, in learning how
to drink water out of the little stone
pitcher that has become a familiar OBJ
ject in all country printing offices with
out saturating his shirt-bosom with the
little stream of cool liquid that at such
times invariably escapes from the lip Of
the unwieldy vessel, attempts to balance
itself on the bottom rim, and succeeds
finally in falling with peculiar and
punctual regularity in a tedious little
stream or a thousand disconnected
drops over the most sacred garment Of
the amateur patron at its shrine. He
did not become disguised, however,
with the craft or the nature Of their
daily pursuits, but learned to love the
proverbial filthiness of the little office
and the smirched but smiling faces of
the half dozen typos" who bent wear
lily over their cases week in and week
out without any incident whatever to
mar the monotonous clicking OF the
leaden letters as the six good right
hands threw them into the "sticks"
their left hands held, as patiently as
one could expect. He watched their
lives while he remained among them,
and won their love, too, | think, to an
enyiable extent, and at last came back
to the old city with his head full of
thoughts about another species of the
human race which was to figure in his
verses and essays; but, who never will
now, that he is dead that is, not as he
would haye figured them, maybe not SO
we'll, and maybe thrice as well. Com
positors and devils and proof-readers