Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-07-03

"Manning? And what is Manninge A guide?''
cali him resnrn ne ia orosby soI mission
airy. When he comes across man who is on
the brink, as | was before l came here, he
| the .precaution, of course. to ascertain if he
would be desirable acquisition to our com
munity. It's missionary work isn't il? Bet
ter than suicide, is it not?'
These revelations set me to thinking. / had
been guided, but how gently and uncon-
| coming into colony of mysterious disappear
ances.
II should like morning paper, Arthur"
said, as we sauntered out into the early sun
light, next day.
IA morning paper! A daily paper.' And
| cheerily. I'VE have no newspapers except
| when an occasional bundle may be brought in
world. We soon lose all relish for them. You
What No newspapers! No magazines! No
"Not any, Nunky. No mails, TO newspapers
no magazines, no kilograms
HAL, Arcadia, happy land"' said, with SOL
emnity.
"And while am about it, Uncle Bob. let me
say that we have no wines and no spirits OF the
you to get on without wine, at first, you luXur-
Gus old sybarite. But guess you will get used
to 1t; suppose you have noticed the absence
Eyes, ] did observe that the diners, or sup
pers, last night, were mostly filling themselves
with east wind-mineral water"
That's home product, my beloved Uncle.
You can have all the natural mineral water you
want Bottled on the premises. But no wine.
There is a small stock on hand for invalids. 1t
Is seldom required. And between us, Uncle
Bob" and here the lad whimsically lowered
his voice and looked around him, 'it must be
ripening beautifully down cellar"
1t is not my purpose here to dwell on the de-
tails of this unique life. At some future time
may do that. l must, however, relate one
characteristic incident.
When had been in this strange settlement
about a fortnight, young 1ristram, whom had
q ks suddenly reappearp6- Then
learned that he had been out ION a mission
as the settlers called it, and for the first time he
had gone on trial. He brought back bundle
OF newspapers containing accounts of my own
mysterious disappearance, as my friends were
pleased to call 1t. These amused me. had at
last the opportunity of reading my own obitu-
airy. 1t gave me new sensation. 1t was
pleasanter reading than some of the newspaper
comments on my strange departure. These
were mostly inspired by ignorance and need
less spite. was angry until 1 reflected that
was virtually dead. Then was consoled What
ulO IL matter that some OF my surviving friends
spoke lightly of me?
But the incident to which I refer was the
paperkniie 1t had been one OF the tavorite
trihes that lay on my readng-table and with
which l dawdled many time and oft. iris
tram, sauntering into Takeitts auction rooms,
one day, while in New York, found that the
effects of "the late Robert Treat Chester were
being sold. His interest was at once aroused
and divining that this knife, which was offered
while he loltered there, might be of value me,
bought 1T and brought it home. Home did
say?
thought detected slight cloud of disap-
probation ON the faces of some OF the elders of
the party who CHANGED to be present when
young Tristram, for whom had tax Ell quite a
fancy gave me the toy. But enjoyed handling
IL and fancying that it link as it We're,
betwixt the old Lille and the new. Not that |
had any hankering for the old. But was
glad to have this slight souvenir of an epoch in
my existence that was closed up forever.
Heretofore, I have written only in the past
tense. AS bring to an end this narration,
feel moved to add to it, by way of postscript,
one more incident. 1t may explain certain
things to my distant, but well-remembered
friends.
The paper-knife, of which 1 have spoken
above, has awakened strange emotions. My
thoughts, turned in the direction of my other
life by this trifiing object, have been disturbed
smoothly after the first excitement of my ar
rival subsidized, have been diverted into devious
channels; Io;night, restless and vaguely long,
Ing for relief went alone down to the edge Of
the bluffs that overlook the valleys of the Great
hanway hee. 1t is misty-moonlight in the
valley Neutrality-suspicious., vague and shadowy.
That way lies the path back 10 the other world
/ have known.
was on the point OF taking the faint path
that leads in the direction of the outer edge of
the plateau, divining th..t by that part OF the
Incline, II anywhere, a safe descent would be
ing cribbage with two Old gentlewomen,
emerged from the shadow of clump of trees.
"Hallo!' he cried, Il was looking tor you. We
want you to help us out at a game of whist.
have been looking tor you everywhere"
II don't care to play, old fellow, thank you"
Crosby made no reply, but, coming affection
ately close to me, he linked his arm into mine
and gently constrained me in the direction of
the settlement l made no resistance. But
felt as ii had been arrested in the act OF flight
Grossly, erred, you are taking me back
ii l were a deSerter."
"Neyer mlnd,' he said, 'you are arrested by
the best friend you have in the world looked
in his eyes, and by the struggling moonbeaIns
saw that they were moist with gentle dew.
And SO realize, at last, that have mysteri-
Ously disappeared.