Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1886-06-18
STRAHAN,
By sidney Luska. Author of "As 1t was
Written" Mrs. Peixada," Etc.
lCop, rightcd 1856 by the Author,l


stood 10y itself, midway between Ninth
and Tenth avenues, on Nnety-fourth
street--a rickoty, wooden structure, one
story high hot to suffocation in summer,
and in winter justiyng the traditional
smile as cold rs a barn. But the rent
was low. and the light was good; and
Strahan. considering everything, thanked
bis stars that he had any roof at all, under
which to- sleep and to do his work Tor,
like the better part of his fellow 0aits-
men, Srahau was poorer than church
mouse
Toward dusk one Christmas Eve. ra-
han sal among his plaster casts, prey toa
swarm Of blue dcvils-voracious parasites,
that puaw with peculiarly sharp teeth
when the heart they are attacking hap
pens to be associated with an empty
stomach. ~trahan's stomach was empty
and So was his pocket-book He had
made uu his uInd that he would have to
go supperlese to bed this Christmas Eve:
and now. while he dusk deepened, he sat
alone in hi, studio and unused upon many
a cherries. theme.
OF course ere long il got dark; and
chen. I'm due time, the street-lamp IN front
of Suahau'- door was lighted. The light
hared I'm through the window, ana sport
ed Enthusiastically with the white palaphcr-
na1i of the sc,ilutul's trade: but Strahau
paid no heed. I'm spirit he was far away,
1aborn. through the slough OF despoud.
His ftSAV envelope renamed where he
had LETT il. fixed and mOtiUnless, Ike Its
plaster urighhors. How long this state
of things lasted. do not know, nor does
it matter. Long enough, ! dare say to
e.. TN trl tpI
by and by. he shuddered and got up and
crossed over to his stove. But his stove
was cold the fire in it had gone out.
Finding which to be the case, Strahan
raised the lid of his coal-bin, and looked
in. There was Just light enough Tor MN
to see that his cCHl bin was bare.
The day had been mild-sky overcast,
wind from the southeast, aud atmosphere
charged with Ink warm moisture. But
now the wind had Veered around INTO
She northwest, and it was rapidly blow
ing M cold. The clouds had scattered ;
the air had become dry and singing a
million stars were shining overhead: In
the uupaved roadway the mud was ircez-
ing. Strahau stepped into the street, ana
,yaycd there iii his observations of the
weather were complete. After that he
returned indoors.
The condition of affairs were grave. y
coal snap and IN empty coal-bin formed
the most disastrous OF combinations. Not
that StrHhan minded the cold much ON
his own accouut-he could move about
and keep warm. But his Lilith-she upon
whom he had luvished his thought, his
love, his strength, his skill, for year
Dast-she who was the food of his ambi-
ti1n, the fountain of his hOpe-to her,
cold might mean nothing short of abso-
lutte ruin. She was still i'll clay-not yet
quite ready to have her mold taken III
plastcr-aud if the clay should freeze a.
III fl,t.s .ltttF. of
studio, unless there was fire, If the clay
should freeze. Strahan did not allow
the appalling notion To assume palpable
shape. He picked up The tatteled huohel
basket which in his domestic equipment
answered for a coal-hod, donned his an
Gent Wide-aWake hat, and set out for the
grocer shop. He already owed the gro
Ger Il snug sum for fuel and il never oc
Cured to him that THAI worthy might
grove unwilling TO add another item TO the
account
The grocer sat comfortably behind hi,
counter reading German newspaper aut
smoking German pipe. As the bell OVel
the door tiukltdat Strahau's entrance
khe grocer lowered his newspaper anC
glanced up. But when he saw who the
newcomer was, ana recognized the familiar
outline of The coal-basket, he pursed hi
LIPS, knitted his brow, shook his head, alIt
gestlculated doprecatngly with hi
hands.
Though the significance of this panto
mime was uumistdkable, it failed of it
effect. ~traham not to he dismayed, dlev
pencil from his pocket, took "A scrap O
wrapping paper from the counter, sCriL
bled word or two upon ii, and handed
the paper 10 the grocer.
"Co&ls- please was what Straha
had written.
The grocer in his turn produced II pei
eli, and wrote 3 way Of reJOnder, Go
,e2n, mainly Despite the absence O.
iattrruuHliuA Joint SlrHhan COnStrue
this to he question, and made sign /
The negative.
Again the grocer shook his head an
waved his hands.
"Do You mean," wrote Strahan, "tha
sou will not trust me for basket full
The grocer nodded.
"Why not ~ wrote Strahan.
$3.50, wrote the grocer, lluding doub
less to the amount of Strahan's preseI
score,
Il shah surely receive some money tn
coming week. wrote Strahan, and the
III settle with you. You must let II
have Goals TO nieht, or else my work wi
be destroyed. Please let me have them
Strahan's eyes-eager us the eyes
dumb persons are wont to be-devourt
The grocer face, AS the latter scann'
T,his appeal.
FOR a third time the grocer shook h
isa3 and waved his hands. But this tin
ne did more, He pointed impatient
toward the door.
Strahan took the hint. Outside, he ca
a coyetOus glance upon the grocer's
curely padlocked coal box. If he tn
looketh upon anothers goods to lust aft
them, hath already comitted robbery
his heart, Strahan at that moment SUI
to the level of II pick pocket
Back in his studio, he realized that t
condition of affairs was now worse tn
grave. 1t was getting desperate. I
wind kept freshening the cold intensit
ing. Strahau had not a penny in
purse, nor an object in his possessi
which might he exchanged for money
the pawn shop. To the other grocers
the quarter, he was stranger. He cou
expect no credit from them Yet it
hoOved him to kinde n fire at once a
to keep it going at least till mOrnil
Otherwise
His Lilth stood in the center of
foor, shrouded in damp cloths. Imp
sively, he put out his hand to caress h
Horror The cloths were already beg
ming to CONCEAL