The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1886-04-23
Mr.. GRAY-WHITE.
How He at Last Faded Out of
the Picture.

1t was neither prying curiosity nor
an eye for silver forks that drew him
so near the window. He was home
less man, indeed, but not vagabond.
Business had brought him to Pillow
vile, and after eating supper at the
tavern he had wandered about the
drowsy streets of the town, until,
through the window of low-set, mod
est dwelling, he caught glimpse of a
group around table. At the table sat
a pretty girl, who was evidently afford
ing excellent entertainment to an eld-
erly woman, an old man, and gawk
of boy.
Although the gentleman without
could not hear the words she spoke, he
could well see her bright eye and the
smiles she brought to the faces of those
who listened to her with fond eager
ness. She was telling story, gesticu-
lating in a graceful fashion, and turn
ing her head from side to side like
bird. The old man, who had a flowing
white beard, leaned toward her@put-
ting his opened hand behind his ear so
that he should not lose syllable of
her sprightly talk, and the gentleman
outside stepped on the porch the better
to see the girls winsome face. The
gawk of boy began to grin, display
ing large teeth stranded on a reef of
red gum; the old man lay back in his
arm chair in exquisite delight, and the
the elderly woman laughed so that her
ample bosom shook. She was very fat,
and she pressed her hand to her side as
though it ached from too much mirth.
Suddenly she rose, and before the gen
tleman on the porch could beat a re-
treat she had opened the door.
Il thought l heard somebody here"
she said with great good humor. "The
bell is little out of killer, and it don't
ring first rate. Who did you want to
seeP"
The unbidden guest, who did not
lack audacity, asked if Mr.. Brown lived
there, and the woman answered that
he did.
"But do you mean Mr.. Hughson
Brown or Mr.. Perry Browns she
added
Neither, Mr.. Henry Brown" he an
swered, promptly.
The woman clasped her hands.
'Why, he's dead, but Perry, that's his
brother, lives here and he'll be real
glad to see you. Come right i'm
He eXpostulated, but finally suffered
himself to be led into the oozy, lamp
lighted room. 1t was plainly furnished,
but the red table-cover, the rocking
chairs, with cushions on the seats, the
presence of a comfortable cat gave it a
most homeiike aspect, The pretty girl
looked at the stranger curiously, the
gawk of boy stared, and the old man
put on pair of spectacles.
Pa" said the elderly woman, in a
shrill voice, "here is a gentleman come
to see poor brother Henry, not know
ing he was dead.
The old man rose and held out a
thin, large-veined hand.
Il didn't quite catch the color of
your name, sirpn he said loosely.
Gray" was the faltering response.
given with helpless smile.
And then the old man chuckled:
faint as good wearing color as
Brown. Grays will fade. was IN the
dry-goods line myself. Well, here is
Mrs. Brown and our son Henry-named
for his uncle-and our niece, Miss Hat
tie Brown"
The gentleman with the fading name
bowed politely to each and accepted
the chair his hostess offered. She was
the soul of hospitality; she invited him
to take cup of tea and some bread
and butter, and lamented that the
stewed pears and smoked beef were all
eaten up, diverging a little to dwell on
her sons appetite, which made him
look ablectly miserable, and was prof.
ably the reason why he skunk out of
the room. The guest assured her that
he was not hungry; he had Just supped
at the tavern
$50 you knew Henry said old Mr..
Brown, refectively. Out West, I
guess. Leadville, likely Did YOU
ever have any thing to do with the
Maria mine?"
Mr.. Gray's face frightened, then
clouded over.
Olus tAuGSus nc answered.
''And lost something, I'll bet a
cooky,n cried Mr.. Brown, in glee.
Henry lost every cent he had, and it
was the death of him, too. He didn't
owe you any thingp" he added, with
an anxious quicker of his wrinkled
face.
"Oh, not a penny-not penny"
''And you hadn't heard he was
dead, y the old man continued. "He's
been dead-lenme sect must be
nigh onto four year. =
-Four years next month, put in the
girl softly. She was helping her aunt
to clear the table, and the stranger
eyes followed her trim figure as it
fitted to and from a cupboard.
did you have any thing in particu-
lar to say to poor Henryp" Mrs. Brown
asked, pausing with salt cellarin one
hand, a vinegar cruet in the other.
mo, happened to be here, and /
thought would look him up. Ihad-
rather lost sight of him. =
1--WE have all lost sight of him, = said
the old man, solemnly, shut | guess
Ill see him afore long / am most
eighty, sir. !"
''Now, pa,don'tyou begin such talk, :"
broke in his wife.
He shook his head.
II am just sitting here waiting for