Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1886-03-28

HA'tf'ff
me take lower and more debased view
Of the world, view which trust viii In
time fade away entirely, was touching
pitch, yet striving TO keep myself from
being defled. Now, In whatever way you
bring yourself in contact with pitch, some
OF IL will stick. can only hope that the
stains will some day wear off.
The pitch handled was Capt. Richard
Chesham, and blacker kind was never
manufactured, and as 70 compass my
ends had not only TO handle this VIII
famous substance, but to pretend that
liked doing so, my task was a highly I'M
pleasant one. Many and many time
felt almost sick at the filthy mass ! was
endeayoring TO make run into one partic-
ular mould.
But distasteful as found 1t, ! did my
work thoroughly. At the cost OF a little
money and great deal OF self.respect,
found myself In a very short time the
chosen companion and comrade OF Asmo-
deus. We dincd together, supped to-
gether, sometimes breakfasted together.
Where he went went, so regularly that
he might, had he chosen, have discarded
that stick OF his in favor of It's substitute,
myself.
Such strange intimacy was bound TO
be remarked and commented upon; my
best friends shook their heads, and those
who had the right TO do so, demonstrated.
Vigor was the ilrst Of these
NWhat the deuce Is the meaning Of your
frjendshld with that old rogue, Ches-
ham?n he asked me.
t'You don't like him, then2N
"Like him, Philip ! am ashamed OF
YOU There are some men from whom
decent men and women shrink as from
snakes.n
"Snakes, they say, have powers of fas-
clnation"
"For towards and the lower natures.
But you fear nothing, certainly not the
worlds opinion, or you would not call
that reptile your frlend,p
"Gentlyl have NOT called him my
friend"
"But you are with him all day long.
You gamble with him, you listen TO his
basphemies OF women, you even echo
them, have overheard you"
"You listen also with interest when he
talks"
81 listen with wonder, and marvel that
such creatures live, marvel more tnatthey
can find supporters like Philip Norris"
"Why IL it2" he continued "Perhaps
you are going after the money you lost TO
him two years ago"
"No one likes TO give up such large
sum without an attempt to get It back"
! said, telling glad that Vlgor had sug-
gcsted an explanation,
"iIe win ruin you, Philip. II Is mon
strous how hot-headed youngsters can
imagine they can match in his own trade
man of his age, OF his skill--one who
has lived for years on what he has swim
died fools like you out Of"
"You use hard words, Vigor."
81 apolOgise--you are not fool. Yet
II you are sangunc enough TO play with
him and expect TO win, why are You his
friend? There Is no need for that, you
might kick the man down stairs every
morning, yet II your money were to be
won, he would play with you every even.
ing"
knowing more OF Chesham's revenge
full nature than Vigor did, doubted the
truth OF this assertion.
~ tell you what, Philip he said after
a short pause, and finding | made no
reply, I'm not going to sec one of my
best friends go TO the devil In Cheshamis
company. have heard OF you, and
where you have been seen together.
shall go and speak TO Rothwell about It,
lie has some influence over you"
To this made no objection, and have
no doubt but Vigor WAS as good as his
word.
Among other remonstrances one came
from Stanton. This rather amused me,
for, with oil his many good qualities,
Stanton was not man in whose path a
younger man might follow with credit.
81 say, Captain Philip" he SAID one
day, shaking his head omlnously, "thls
sort of thing won't do, you know
"What sort Of thlnggs
"IIere, it's only the other day you we're
an innocent boy, picking up whelks and
sea anemones In Deyonshlre blushing II
woman spoke to you, and not knowing
hearts from diamonds; now you're about
with the biggest uncut rep In town.
Won't do, Capt Philip
"I suppose while you and others speak
to man can do so.n
SHE'S bad lot, Philip; OF course we
speak 10 people, but we don't crony.
Wonder what Valentine would say to your
new friend.n
valentine doesn't choose my friends y
"Much better II he did, II Chesham's a
specimen OF your unbiased selection.
Valentine Is an ass in lots OF things, but
knows how to choose his friends | shall
speak to Rothwelli he hates Gresham and
loves you like SON.
How little he thought that IL was only
Lord Rothwelps assurance that / might
do all save crime 90 worm the truth out
OF Chesham made me steadfast In the
task had undertaken, and careless as 10
what common report said.
Roihwell said nothing to me. Once or
twice | attempted TO tell him how was
progressing, but he waved the matter
aside. "C0me 90 me II you want money,
not unless,'' he said. 'l viii not inter-
fere, The affair has passed from my
hands and from my guidance. You are
working out your destiny, Philip, aud
must do IL alone"
His words sounded superstitlous aud
wild, but attributed them 10 his great
and lifelong love for Lady Estmere For
HIM. the world might fall II hor welfare
were secured by such q catastrophe.
Destiny or not, how did my work pros.
peri
found no difficulty In resumipg Ches-
hams acquaintance. AS soon as showed
him was willing 10 rceommcnce gam.
bling he was at my call, and making him.
self as pleasant as it was possible. A
hundred or two lost 10 him, an expressed