The Mineral argus., 1885-02-05

fsteti, alas too soon to become squsint.
ed.
One evening, little before NV din.
ner, Mrs. Maudle waited on me with an
air Of meek mystery, to ask il her son
might step up by-and-by" and speak
to me, if so be that had no objections.
His name, his mother told me, was
Cincinnatus; he was rather low spirit
Ell. and had, in fact, something on his
mind.
Dear mel" said, poor fellow! any
trouble? Nothing serious, / hope?"
"Oh, dear. no, sir-leastwise. moth
ing wrong Gins as innocent as the
babe unborn, as TO evil ways, sir !;
no, its the mind. that's where it is; :"
(mysteriously) hes got soarin' mind.
sir, and the worlds too little for him. T"
''Indeed?' said I. mentally regretting
that the Young gentleman had selected
me as the COMPLIANT of his mental trials:
but, alas! little guessed what was to
come. Scarcely was the cloth removed
when a m Oldest rap announced my new
acquaintance. and Cincinnatus entered.
bearing a huge brown paper parcel,
which he deposited with a jerk on the
table, violently shaking back long
wisp of hair which kept falling rcbelli-
ously into his eyes, and sinking i'm
metliately into the first chair near, with
an air of profound detection.
This young man had large nose OF
the solid Roman type, very red eyelids,
and sonorous voice with a twang in
it. He told ME he was in an attorneys
office, but that the work was very dis
tasteful to him. and he had thought of
giving it up and turning author.
He had begun several works Of inn
portance, one Of which This chef dou-
ver,' he called it, he had brought up
with him.
BLANK verse mostly. sir" he ex-
claimed; in ten books. revealing the
mysteries Of human soul to the moon,
who is supposed to be listening-poeti-
cal license. of course-you understand.
The first three books"
Isn't it risk" interrupted I,
from the prospect Of being
pressed into the same service as the
moon, and resolved to he as practical
as possible; isn't it risk TO give mo
steady work for an uncertainty like
"Well, sir, mother talks like that,
and she's right and you're right, in one
point of view, said the youth, meekly;
but when you've soul, and when your
soul mounts beyond the Office stool,
where are you then?"
He waved his hand descriptively, Is
it were, of an aerial fight; his nails
were inky and very long.
well, don't know" said I. "but
hadn't you better-w
But he had risen. and hurriedly COM
undoing the brown paper. with
from il about fifty sheets Of
foolscap, we'll written over.
..Listenw he cried oracularly. and
slowly recited as follows:
Hail! cold, unfeeling orb. tho thy bright ray
-. Nocks the absorbing nadness Of my soul!
Soon, soon thy last quarter will draw nigh;
But sooner still for me the funeral bell shall
"Tbat's the opening lines" said he;
the next"-
my friend" said. II am afraid
you will find the public hard to satisfy;
YOU must look for disappointment"
"That's all look for, sir" he inter-
rupted. shat and an early grave" he
added, with certain air Of satisfaction.
9 And as mother and father aren't as
we'll off as they were. / daresay there !
won't even be recordin' marble to tell |
The world that Cincinnatus Maudle lies
below--but that's of no consequence"
He sighed.
aren't you little ont Of health? ?"
asked at this point.
"Oh, yes, SIR" he smiled. I'm
to the tomb. I've no sort Of
. doubt about it myself, but the cold
world will pass needless by and think
lothing of it. The worlds SO very
'ublunary! Don't you tin'l it SO, sir?"
"Well. yes; l suppose it is that" !
'aid. never having had cause TO doubt
{ as fact. "Yes, l suppose il is. But
low let me advise YOU as a friend"
He looked up softly.
II knew you would, he cried: that's
ust it, You will assist me, and Ill step
Up of evenings and well go through It
ogetlcr gradual like. Yes l felt sure
,ou'd be the friend to do it; when
mother said, Gin, that's our first floor
yoing out I felt 40 If I could open
ny heart to you like q brother: 1 did
indeed, SIR"
"Look here, I said, when he paused
md shook back the excited wlsp Of
Whitley brown hair, with joyful vehe-
hence; Look here. I'll let you know
when to bring it mp. The fact is, I'm
.wfully busy Just now I haven't a minute
o spare for study or the delights of the
muse"
1 smiled grimly as almost pushed
lin out of the door, bearing his precious
,rown paper parcel. and overwhelming
ne with undeserved thanks. lnwardlv