The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1886-11-10

u.
least pretended allegiance OH his own
part TO the interests of those who
ack,nowledged him, and the keeping
OF his own claims well under cover
since he had no desire to accept and
iulhll the rather mental duties of a
county official, unless that should con-
tribute to more fortuitous end-he
came at length to be the secret dicta-
tor OF local political affairs. Also a
growing reputation throughout the
congressional district was coming to
be his for timely and munifcent gifts
10 his party, when at elections it
seemed most in need OF succor
Perhaps Joel's thirst was rather for
glory than good fame. At any rate,
MS aim at reputation seemed some-
thing not bounded by the circle of his
neiShbors; forgetting evidently that the:
love and respect of those in and about
ones own home is something to be
more sensibly enjoyed even than con.
tinent full of notoriety. OF course Joel
Gid not hope for any thing so extensive
as that, but he thought, and foolishlv
enough, that it would be exceedingly
sweet to know that his name was yoino
about on the unfeeling winds to thou
sands of people he never heard of, and
who indeed might contribute quite as
little perhaps as those far-off unfeeling
winds to his own personal joy or bet
terment. However, many another
heart in the worlds life has fed upon
the delusive honey of this same expec-
tation, this idea that to be known, or
rather widely heard of, is grateful
golden thing, and to set ones self vio-
lently upon Joel for this seems little
less than flying into the face of half the
race. Out of it at least has risen much
we should be proud of. and not little
of which we should profoundly feel
ashamed. In Joels case the aim was
doubtless well enough, and the object,
though mainly vapor, not to be des-
pissed; but the means! All, there's the
thing to put ones foot upon.
Joel went homeward that evening
after squaring with John Earling, as
he put it, with soul not overlooking
ly sunny. 1t was autumn and the
weather was very gentle, but his men,
tai eye seemed jaundiced. John Earl
ing's denunciation kept playing kind
of hide and seek in his mind, for as
often as he thrust it back at one open
ing it popped out at another. "Pshaw!
what does the spoutin' of youngster
like him amount tor he muttered, and
turned off from the street and went
over on the knoll, that looked down
upon the river and across that upon
the wooded eminence where Absalom
Heaters cottage stood among the au-
tumn-painted trees. Il think I'll build
in the spring. he said, as he walked
about Ticking the few fallen maple
leaves with his big cane and looking
away with warming humor. II guess
I'll build good one"
The sun falling to the westward was
filling the tops of Absalom's woods
with shattered fire, and the long rays
slanting under the trees on Joels
knoll made it seem very pleasant
place. But when he had crossed the
little hollow and come to his own gate
among the lawns and homes that
covered the gentle broad-b backed ridge
on which the town was mainly laid,
his spirit seemed to darken with the
evening shadows.
With all his farms, and bank, and
store, and mills, and houses, and fat
horses, and the rich bounty of good
humor which nature had given hin
at the start, his blood of late years
seemed often very heavy. PLAGUE
the stuff! | believe it's too thick to run
WE'LL" he would sometimes say, smit.
ing himself upon his great chest ovel
the heart. That slowly throbbing or.
gan seemed to clog little by times
Perhaps he fed it too well. OF the rec
tide that ebbed and flowed within it had
tired and thickened with its half cent.
ury of motion. The edge of his spir
it, too, seemed worn and blunted by
his third of century of uninterrupted
delving after wealth. What an array
of numerals 'twould have taken tt
cover his calculations, to exhibit his
dealings, or represent the moments o.
his labors! Were his possessions wort(
it? With something like this moving
in his mind he stood with his hant
upon the gate-post looking at the long
low house, with its porch across thu
front clambered over by woodbine ant
howerless rose, and some great clay
urns painted green and running owe
with smilax that stood ON either sid
the graveled walk. well, III build ;
good one in the spring." he said
MAY be it ain t worth while, but I'll d.
it. Then Pm ready for something else!
After tea, when Harry had gone VI
to his room, which had an easel in on
corner and two or three dauby picture
on the WALL and lit cigar and lail
down in his hammock with his laz.
blue eyes looking up into the wreath
inc smoke, Joel went into the sitting
: room and, unfolding newspaper, be
gan to read by the drop-light Open
stone had grown in these years ant
had gas, Joel being the largest holde
. . of its stock. In the mellow Hare h
looked tired, and his hair glistened
for it was streaked with gray and hal
fallen away from the crown of his head
!, which glistened little in its stead. !
was not usual for him to remain thu
at home in the evening. as his habi
was to be about his business from sever
in the morning until nine and tel
o'clock, and often later, in the night
: His had been wonderful example o
American push as applied to money
making. He seldom read except OF
Sundays; then he went over the entir
weeks papers, letting his wife for tn
| most part do the church going.
| That lady, as natural and yer.
90 ho, h,,c no nd 9 GROW