The Arkansaw traveler., 1888-07-07

get. When they brought customers to examine us I used to study them great deal, but never met any one whom I was anxious should purchase me until, one day, two gentlemen strolled up to the window and began to roll us about in the rack and examine us critically. One was tall and dark, and learned from their conversation tbat he intended making his companion 8 present from our collection. This gen. tleman was of medium height, with brown eyes and frank, pleasing coun- teDance. His hair, which was rich auburn, was not trimmed short as was then the fashion, but grew long and clung in soft, silky waves about his head. l knew him to be generous and kind hearted, for when his friend asked him for match with which to light cigar, he gave him two. Only a trifle, you say, but it is from just such trifles that the student of hu- manity discovers the real character of the man. was very anxious that he should select me, and whenever they wbirled the rack around I tried, and generally succeeded, to fall against the side of the rack next to him. At last he lifted me out, and after the dealer had shown him my taking points and expatiated to some length on my good qualities, he concluded to take me- The tall, dark gentleman settled the bill, and we all went away"
 Here the queer creature Qor Icould call it nothing less, having proved it. self to be possessed of speech and mo- tion), paused, cast quick glance about the room, and making sudden dart for chair that stood near, threw itself into it with satisfied sigh, and again crossing its grotesque legs, sat silently contemplating me. I had be- come interested in the peculiar appa rition, and earnestly begged it to go on with it's story, which it seemed willing enough to do.
 "My master proved to be all that had thought him on that first inter- view. l cannot recall those happy days spent in his companionship without feeling of tenderness and a pang of regret that they should have been of such short duration. Have you ever studied the human hand and the relation it holds to the nature of the man himself2" it questioned abruptly.
 hastened to confess my utter ig- norance of the subject.
 "You shall do so at once," ex- NI Ioi hn IIo tered it you need never again be de- c,ived. It is language with which man cannot juggle. The merest touch of hand in greeting reveals the nature of the man. In all my wanderings have never been clasped by so good hand as that of my first master. It was strong and firm; yet gentle as a woman's. The palm was well filled, the joints small and closely knit, the fingers slightly tapering to- ward the point, the nails shapely and with enough blood under them to shade them delicate pink. When he took hold of me I could feel the warm blood coursing gently and regularly through every vein. It was 8 gra- cious hand. How many acts ot kind ness have I seen it perform; how many deeds of love. grew to wor- ship it. When the weather was pleasant for any length of time and he had no need of my services, used to grow actually heartsick for the touch of his fingers and long for clouds and rain so that he might take me out with him. We were long time to- gether, I don't know how long, but long as it was it seems short enough to me now when l look back to it. One day we went together to call upon some friends of his at great hotel. He met them in the parlor. I was left standing by the door. They were old acquaintances and had great deal to say and were quite jolly. At last they went away together, and in his pleasure with the others, he for got all about me. Thinking to at tract his attention I threw myself to the floor but the soft, thick carpet deadened my fall and the happy party, laughing and chatting, went away and left me there alone. No, not quite alone. In shady corner of the room, almost hid among the cushions of a large sofa, man had been sitting through the interview. had noticed him when we came as had, probably the others, but in the general good
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