The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1886-05-05

Mr.. Calhem was there, and the lion
being poet, the coach felt more than
commonly tempted to trot out his own
poetical prodigy.
..Do YOU know, Mr.. Marsh he said,
cdging himself in among the lions ad-
mirers, II have under my care at this
moment q young gentleman in whom l
believe YOU would feel the deepest in
terest."
'.Indecd?n said the poet, with an air
as of boredom heroically suppressed.
"He is not yet eighteen, proclaimed
Mr.. Calhem, finding his opportunity in
the silence of the circle, land this is his
rendering of the famous Ode to Pyrrha.
HEM
And the tutor plunged, with harsh
scholastic tone, into recital of the Ia
bors OF Phil-cum- Calhem,
.Remarkabler' said Mr.. Marsh, at
the close of his performance. His
glance wandered around the room in
patient entreaty. He was looking for
the man who had brought him to take
him away again gracefully.
1.-THE really remarkable thing is,
pursued Mr.. Calhem, "that he has had
no classical training whatever. lie
was bred in a perfect BGotia-a little
island off the Cornish coast-Tregar-
then"
"Tregarthenp" The lion was inter-
ested on sudden.
do you know Tregarthenf" asked
Mr.. Calhem,
81 have visited the place." returned
the poet.
"My old pupil, Tregarthen, of Trc-
garthcn Chat sounded well thought the
tutor, saved this young gentleman's
life at the risk of his own, nearly a
dozen years ago. The child was ship
wrecked, and he was the only one of
the ships passengers who was saved.
Tregarthen adopted him and bred him;
and l am happy to believe that he will
reflect great credit upon my friend.
''IIis verses are very remarkable, y
said the poet. II should be pleased to
meet the young gentleman.
81 am sure" returned Mr.. Calhem,
with bow, 'that he would indeed be
proud
The poet walked home that evening
after parting from his friend.
"Trc.arthcn?n he said to himself
"Saved his life at tie risk of his own.
Adopted him; should like to see the
lad. That she should rejoin him after
all these years and be happy is-im-
possible. She worships him yet, and
will always. But after all this lapse of
years. At least can see the
protege and find out from him perhaps
what manner of man Tregarthen really
is. A FOOLS errand. But came into
the world on one no wiser, ard | may
as well run this as another. l will call
tomorrow"
CHAPTER XII.
What it was that prevented Ronald
Marsh from carrying out this barely.
formed intention of his is scarcely
worth inquiring. Some sense that he
had no right to intrude upon Mrs. Ire,
garthens affairs, some feeling that by
a prctense of being interested in a
youngsters verses he might possibly set
that youngster on wrong tack for life,
and some little tinge of personal dis
quietude at the open adulation of Mr..
Calhem, were probably mingled to-
gether, and between them had strength
enough to leave him undecided. Any.
how, whatever motives animated him,
or left him unanimated, he stayed
away.
Gossamer, Comedy in Three
Acts production of Mr.. Ronald
Marsh pen, was playing at this time
at the Mirror Theater, and Miss
Churchill was the heroine Of the piece
The poet liked to see his own work
now and again and an evening or two
after his encounter with the tutor he
looked in for the second act. and found
himself seated beside no less person
than Calhem, who, with humble ef-
fusiveness, recognized him at once, and
Immediately on the fall of the curtain
presented Phil. He had already been
telling Phil, in an easy, unassuming
sort of way, and as if he were not
bursting with pride about the matter at
all, that he had encountered the author
of this charming work night or two
ago at the house of their mutual friend
Brown, and now, on the authors unex-
pectcd appearance, he had mud gcd and
whispered Phil, so that the poet had
had time to become conscious of slim
youth with fine eyes, who took sly
looks at him with an expression of de.
yOtion.
"This, Mr. Marsh" said Calhem
sis Mr.. Maurice, the young gentleman
of whom spoke Oh Sunday evening,
This, Mr.. Maurice, is Mr.. Ronald
Marsh, the author of the lovely comedy
we have just had the pleasure of wit
nessiug.'
Phil accepted the poets hand with a
sense of worship. He had never seen q
live poet before; he was very young
and he had laughed aloud and wept in.
wacdly over the comedy, so that tC
meet the author of it was coming into
holy place. He said something in q
hot shyness about the beauty of the
work, and the poet was pleased to have
touched youth so keenly, and took a
great fancy to the ingenious eyes and
handsome face of the boy
The proper thing-if one wanted to
look like man of the world who knew
London-seemed TO the tutor to 90 to
"Evan's' after the play and sup. He
proposed this; and the poet, who had
known the house in his youth, after a
little hesitation, consented to make one
of the party. Calhem, mighty proud
of his distinguished guest. led the way;
and having secured place, ordered
oysters, and would, but for the pro-
tecting influence of the poet, have
coupled champagne With them.
Phil, under the genial influences OF
the theater, the society of poet and
supper at place so novel to his ex-
pcricnces, began to lose the chief part