The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1889-04-20

stone!r / heard poor woman exclaim
bitterly, as she watched his departing
figure with evident contempt-and
such doubtless was the general opinion
in the neighborhood. Only these Of
his own household knew how for hours
and hours he sought the solitude OF his
gloomy little study, sitting far into the
night engrossed in literature of dan
gerous, unwholesome, vet most fasci-
mating type.
When / use the word unwholesome,
l do not mean that John INDUCED in
low and coarse works of fiction; but he
read those authors who, by reason of
deep thinking, crooked reasoning, and
an overwhelming faith in their own in
fallibility. have lost all faith in the
traditions of their forefathers, ard
have struck out new path across the
desert of life.
In the early dayswe almost trembled
for his reason.
my dear Blanche, if John is not
reused he will go melancholy mad"
auntie informed me one evening when
we were passing upstairs at ten o'clock
and she pointed dejectedly to his study
door, from beneath which there issued
steady light.
On the impulse of the moment, l ran
back and tapped at the door; then my
heart almost stood still with a kind of
fear-there was nothing John hated so
much as being disturbed in his studies.
My first summons did not arouse him;
so, gathering courage from the silence
within, knocked again. Then came
an impatient exclamation, the door
was half opened, and John stood be-
fore me, looking cold and hard.
''John," l faltered, ''do shut up
your books and go to bed; am sure it
is very bad for you stopping up so late. :"
A satirical smile played around his
lips, and, bending through the open
doorway, he kissed me lightly ON the
forehead.
go to bed yourself. little woman"
he said, in his low gentle voice.
The unusual caress--for we are
neither of us of gushing nature
disarmed me.
"Oh, john" cried, bursting bodily
into his sanctum, and shutting the
door, lest any of the servants should be
passing, ''you must give up reading SO
much-indeed you must!. Aunt Louisa
says you will go mad if you persist in
shutting yourself up Alone
'.Only one of her crotchets, Blanche,
he answered YEARLY, drawing his
hand across his forehead but there
was no reassuring smile in his grave
eyes. Il should be far more likely to
60 mad if did not read hard" he con-
tinued meditatively, "for in that case
l should not sleep"
Then he dismissed me; and / knew
that had no influence over him. 1t
was in no very cheerful frame of mind
that mounted the stairs that eve
ming. Aunt Louisa had informed me
that John would go mad if he did read,
and he had declared that the like ca
tastrophe would take pace ii he did
not read-it was a dismal prospect for
me.
However time fled, and fortunately
no change assaulted our quiet hous ehold.
Gradually John abandoned his night
watches gradually he assumed some
of his old habits; but his interest in
life fickered fecbly. Nothing vexed
him; nothing pleased him.
But enough of poor Johns early
trouble suffice it to say that the cloud
still hangs over us as we sit slipping
our tea Ground the CHEEKY freight.
My brother is dreamy and thoughtful.
Nature does not seem to have endowed
him with sufficient energy to rise out
of his trouble. Having been knocked
down by fate, he makes no effort to
pick himself up again. As the twilight
deepens, silence creeps down upon us
like sombre mantle. l an the first
to break the spell.
"Ugh," l exclaim suddenly, and
with force touch of impatience, "we
are as silent as the witches in Mac
bethr'
1.-The witches were not SILENT" cor
reefs John, passing me his empty cup.
..Ah, no. remember-they stirred
up all kinds of horrors in a pot for
the purpose of raising ghosts-didn't
theyp"
John mods assent.
"Well, they had more energy than
we have, any way. | believe we are
getting duller and duller every day in
the home circle, "-glancing round
with sigh. However, there is hope
in the distance; Robin will be here
next week."
"Is she so very sprightly?" asks
John; and 1 fancy there is a little
sneer on his lips.
Eyes, indeed she is like vein of
quicksilver-forever on the move"
81 only hope we shall not find her
too lively" interposes aunt Louisa.
II trust you will keep her out of
my study" adds John, with slight
shudder.
81 can't promise anything SO utterly
improbable" I say, with a wish to
tease. sRobins, you know, hop in
everywhere, always being sure of a
welcome"
II have stout key" answered John,
in no way put out.
Gro BE CONTINUED
Cheerful Old Age.