The Arkansaw traveler., 1886-05-08


 but as we grow older, the mark, less bright, recedes. Those who fancy that they have reached the mark, find after while that it was a delusion. There is no fame but that is followed by dis gust, no exhilaTation that is not fol lowed by weariness; no laughter that does not at last end in sigh But there is a great lesson to be learned from all this"
 That no one should strive to culti- vate the tree of ambition?" Len asked.
 "Oh, no, but that no one should be- come intoxicated with the wine of ann bition; that we should endeavor to make ourselves comfortable, in other words that we should first accumulate money, with which there is no great misfortune-except the death of friends and without which there is no great success"
 am not over ambitious Len re- joined. "I hope to be comfortable without having to enter the lists and swing a battle-axe for money. look forward to a modest home, a happy wife, mind-feeding library"
 A commendable aim, surely, but you may strive for years and years before you can sit down in such home. You may be old and have rheumatism. Your eyes may not be able to lift food to the mind"
 Yes, but what am I to do? How can get this home except in the treadmill way? In fact, 1 prefer to get it that way. l abhor financial speculation. l do not like trade. claim no superiority over those who buy and sell, but con fess that such trade is distasteful to me; in fact, am not equal to the demands of trade.
 Well, we'll" said the colonel after moments reflection we all have our views. like to hear you express your self and think that after a while we'll understand each other. My object in thus drawing you out is to impress upon your mind part of my own philosophy. A philosophy, unless it is imparted to some one, is crippled. What mean is that to enjoy principle we must share it with friend, have never, as you have doubtless observed, attempted to conceal the esteem in which hold you The young man who had arisen and who was standing with his hands rest ing on the back of chair, bowed in acknowledgement and the colonel con tinued You are we'll balanced Gan sett, and l hope that you will never allow any tide to take you off your feet. "
 ".I don't think that I ever have, col on6l ''s's's
 No, not exactly, but could not help but notice tAat you were almost un- healthfully elated over the reproduction of your sketches. Now. hold on. know that you feel just pride in your work, and moreover, are grateful to see that large journals copy your sketches but do not let that pride redound to your disadvantage"
 What must l do, stop writing sketches and contine myself to mere local mention?"
 "Oh, no no. You misunderstood me l simply do not wish you to center all your aims, all your hopes in such work. There is something better awaiting you.
 What is that something?" Len asked.
 The colonel arose, took turn about the room, approached Len, looked into his eyes aId said
 There awaits for you, my boy, the means with which to purchase true great ness-contentment Do not attempt to hurl yourself into literary work now. | The lines of art and the lines of bread are rarely found on the same page. You should not be compelled to write for money, but, having money, should write to make your readers better, There are some instances of good bread writing, but they are few. Be an artist not laborer
 "Colonel, am not trying to hurl my self into literature. To tell you the truth l do not look beyond my own little journal
 "Well hope we have both been in- terested by our conversation l told you the other day that had important business with you, but in reality 1 had not. merely wanted to talk to you. There are times when am compelled to express myself, but even then choose