The Arkansaw traveler., 1889-07-13


 cheek prize pig ain't in 1t with him. I suppose he was only kidding of me about the college, sir"
 "Alas mo-" replied the clergyman, "his story Is true; we were at college together. What has brought him to this I cannot imagine Does he seem to you at all mad2" "No, sir, not bit," sad the wander promptly "as eggsentric as you like, but not mad. l was attendant in asylum before I came here and know & lunatic when sec him. Bless you, sir, he feels it more than he pretends"
 "Pm glad to hear it, Smith very glad. But be as easy with him as you can"
 "All right, sir Trust me for that. He's not one of the sort to give real trouble Pve read his case and fancy he really was precious hungry when he broke them lamps. Starving men have done worse things to get meal before now. Good night sir"
 Charley Micklerecd had always had a peculiar knack of enisting the affections of those about him. As sort of human cork floating the of chance he never seemed to have any aims, and con- sequenly he had interest to clash with those of others. Therefore his acquaintances had always looked kindly upon him and been ready to do him small favors.
 MT. Bamlett had several other interviews with his friend, and strove to all appearance in vain, to exercise the spirit of indifference from his breast. "It's no use my dear fellow" said Charley to him one day; "I don't believe your theories about responsibility and all that. Wish l did, but l don't. The serious troubles of life to me are hun ger, cold and illness. Should have been in for all three if hadn't smashed those lamps. As 1t is with my moderate appetite, Pm fairly warm and and comfortable for fortnight yet, and I'll bet you what you like there's philanthropist waiting for me, when get outside, with the offer of & sit uation."
 "But will you stick to work if you get it7" asked the clergyman.
 "Of course I will, if the work will stick to me" replied MT. Micklereed al don't pretend to be in love with work like many humbugs nowadays, but bow to the necessity of it. Honestly, tried all could to get job before came here."
 "But then what character had you" began his friend.
 "Character What has character to do with it?" interrupted the prisoner. "Isnt the right to labor the pet theory of the present day? Besides, there was nothing against my character. don't drink. don't steal. l didn't even lie. The last head master l saw, after seeming satisfied with my answers to all his questions about my competence, had the impudence to ask what were my religious opinions, and he showed me the door when said hadn't any"
 "Do you really mean to say, Micklereed," !" remon- strated the clergyman, "that you can't see that your boast of indifference in religious matters was rightly fatal to your chance?"
 "Of course I can't see it," replied that perverse individual, "uness you maintain that he who fattens oxen must himself be fat. l gave up the schools, though after that, and tried the docks but they wouldn't have me there. Then it was prison or work house to get & meal, and l chose pris- on as being easier to get into than the other place."
 MT. Bsmlett sighed and gave it up for the pres ent. "Have you any complaint to maker" he asked mechanically as he prepared to leave the cell.
 "Yes, by love, I'd almost forgotten" exclaimed the prisoner. "Smuggle me in bit of tobacco the size of a small pea the next time you come. Icant sleep without it. Wish I could, for it must be uncommonly nasty to swallow"
 The coolness of the request took away MT. Bam- letts breath. He told his friend he would not on any account commit such a breach of the trust reposed in him. For five minutes they argued the point. The clergyman pleaded conscience; the prisoner pleaded the duties of friendship. The question was left unsettled, but next night the prisoner, with morsel of tobacco in his mouth, slept better than the man who had supplied him with it. The Rev. MT. Bamletts conscience was tender, and though he gave way to the important