Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1886-04-29
A POOR DREAMER.
His Idol, Woman Whose Smile
Was Very Sweet"

James Bond had reached the mature
age of forty when the casual smile of a
woman changed the whole tenor of his
existence. He met her in Westbourne
grove, one autumn afternoon, and
though she smiled not at him, but at an
old crossing sweeper who was thanking
her with excessive volubility for six
pence, yet her beautiful face was so
charged with sweetness that there arose
within him a new sensation which he
could not define.
'.Can this be lovep" he asked himself,
gazing earnestly after the graceful
figure disappearing around the corner.
..Pshaw! it is absurd. / don't even
know her name.
He continued his walk more slowly
toward Kensington gardens, where he
was accustomed to 60 for his daily con-
stitutional.
"What is love?" he proceeded.
"Unity-the dovetailing of angels-the
meeting of extremes; therefore depend
ent upon the logical faculties which
alone can classify, separate and unite.
Consequently, without thorough knowl-
edge, love is impossible. Yet her smile
was sweet-yes, it certainly was very
sweet" AT the thought of that exquis-
lite vision the dull gray eyes frightened,
and the sallow, careworn face wore a
peculiarly soft expression.
Bond rented lodgings-dingy rooms,
Uttered with books and papers, from
which his landlady was forbidden to re-
move the dust. He was seldom there,
however, for he lived in dreams, the
construction of which occupied most Of
his time, to the exclusion of more solid
work. Why should he workp He him.
self did not see the need, for the pro-
ceeds Of Fellowship supplied him with
food and books. If his clothes were
shabby it was from want of thought
rather than from want of means. A
tall, gaunt, black-bearded man, with
rounded shoulders, he went about like
scarecrow, most tempting object
for the small boys in the neighborhood
to pelt with jokes and orange peel.
Walking homeward through a bach
street he met a number Of them JUS
turned loose from Board School
They were engaged in tormenting ca
held firmly by a string round its neck
At another time Bond would have gon,
swiftly by, anxious only to escape t
peace and quietness, but now it wa
different-why he could not tell. Som
causes are too subtle for analysis.
my good children" he said, advanc
ing nervously. you shouldn't do that
you know"
They turned and faced him, du
bious group ready to assail or flee
according as he showed weakness o
strength.
"Why do you beat the unfortunat
animalp" he pursued.
"Cos it's mine," replied the red
headed young urchin who held tn
string.
"Highly illogical, my boy.'
''Findin's is keepin's, you know, guv'
nor. Master wollops me, so | wollop
, my cal" !.
Human, no doubt, but not humane,
said Bond with smile. .sWill you SCI
itpn
They opened their eyes and CRIME
at one another. After pause tn
young spokesman demanded: Il say
o,,v'nor what'll va oivepn
''Ten shillings. See, here they are
Is that enoughp"
Needless to say the bargain was strue
on the spot. Bond paid the none,
put the cat under his arm and wake
off, followed by yells of laughter. l
his thread-bare clothes he certainl
looked an ungainly figure at any time
but the struggles of the sleek and hant
some tabby to free herself from his en-
brace made him g more than usual
remarkable object.
Now, why did | buy this creaturep
he asks himself. "Was hatred {
cruelty the sole motiveP No; each a,
is the resultant of two or more forces
Though the comparison may be carrie
too far, the cat naturally suggest
woman; she is the old maids con
panion; why not. the old bachelors 8
well? am lonely. There we get
the bottom of the matter-selfishn
under the. guise of beneficence. N,
quite the bottom, however; why moi
lonely to-day than yesterday? BIZ
stay; only a fool searches for fir
causes. All, yes; her smile was vel
sweet"
Though the weather was by no meal
cold he had fire lighted in his sittin,
room, in order that his new pet shou
enjoy the cheerful blaze. Abundant
provided with milk. the cat soon mac
herself quite at home. Her maste
after silently contemplating her for
few minutes, let his thoughts wand
away into the realms Of fancy.
He had already given name to Il
Fair Unknown, and that name WI
Eulalie-the prettiest one he could thir
of. He depicted her in her home, su
rounded by smiling faces-fathe
mother. sisters, brothers-all uniting
render homage to the beautiful Eulali
and then he saw her in another hon
no less happy, himself her vis-a-vis al
sole admirer. Somehow or other Il
cat purring on the hearth rug at his fe
seemed to be link between them.
was absurd. no doubt; he tried to stru
gle back into more rational mood
but all in vain; he seemed to ha'
Grifted into another sphere in whi'
reason was unknown.
Next merning Bond went out intot
grove again. He was out Of sorts,
told himself, and wanted walk bad
And vet he fingered among the shof
looked absently into the windows, 81
With furtive anxiety at the passers-e