Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1890-04-24

MS ClolncS ana ne was IN ConuiLlon 10
stretch the fabric of truths spotless
robe till he split it up the back.
Look here, he said, Il am quite reg
ular patron of this place. You don recog-
nize me because-well, to tell the truth,
I've been on > hard spree for week
and have got pretty well torn up, as
you see. Id like to sober up here in
the bath and then III send out for a
suit of clothes in which l can begin an
era of reform by going homo to dinner"
What's your name?" asked the at
tendant, hesitatingly
Drane looked over his shoulder as il
to make sure that nobody could hear
him declare his real identity. and then
bending over the desk he whispered:
''John II. Smyth. You remember the
name, don't you?"
''Well. I've heard it before" the clerk
admitted, but I can't place you"
Am ! so changed by single week
of debauchery?" said Drane, sadly; then,
in a still more confidential tone: You
mnst recall my name. l spell it with a
Y"
The clerk smiled.
Il guess it's all right, Mr.. Smyth,
Shall | take care of your valuables?"
You're too late, my young friend,
said Drane. Somebody else is taking
care of them in a way that beats the
safe-deposit vault out of sight"
The clerk laughed and gave Drane a
little key strung on rubber band de-
signed to GO about the latter's wrist.
Number forty-one, he called to an
attendant, who Immediately conducted
Drane to his dressing-room.
What delight it was to lay aside the
rags OF povertyl When Drane emerged
from the little room clothed only in a
sheet, he felt as good as his neighbor.
Even his hunger relented for time.
and he enjoyed his bath thoroughly.
1t was two o'clock by the magnificent
time piece which stood among artificial
flowers in the great hall of the bath,
when he returned to his room and his
rags. His soul and body rebelled
against them more strongly than ever
before. They contrasted painfully with
the luxury by which he had been sur
rounded. He sat in his chair with his head
in his hands and groaned aloud. Faint
ness had followed the bath and had
been aggravated by the sight OF men
enjoying rolls and coffee, while they re
c'3ned apon the divans in the hall. He
almost made up his mind to order
breakfast, and trust to luck TO get away
alive without paying for it.
Here you are, sir. number forty-two, -
said voice. and Drane heard an at.
tendant usher a man into the next
dressing
Thank you, sir;7 he heard the fell
low say a minute later. Then he knew
that the man in the next stall had
tipped the attendant They talked
together minute. while the visitor
inquired about the bath and the
restaurant which was connected with
it. Then he tipped the fellow again,
and got more thanks.
He has plenty Of money" of course,
groaned Drane. why shouldn't he give
some of itaway? Why shouldn't he lend
me some? Why shouldn't l climb over the
partition and negotiate the loan myself
while he's out of the way?"
The rags were corrupting him. They
seemed actually to talk, to suggest
envy, malice, and theft.
g Get thee behind me-, garments OF
Satan" he said. smiling bitterly; and
he arose and walked out again into the
hall. An obliging attendant prepared
divan for him; and he had no sooner
stretched himself upon it than he fell
asleep.
Drane was awakened by the voice of
the man who had occupied the dressing
room next to his. He looked up, and
saw well-built young man-so far as
the sheet in which he was wrapped al
lowed his proportions to be saen-pre-
pairing TO take the next dlvan. The
stranger was about Drane's weight and
height, and they resembled each other
not a little, despite the fact that while
Drane was handsome man, the other
would never have been accused OF any
thing more serious than the possession
OF good figure. One face was almost a
caricature of the other. Drane could
not help thinking how much he should
have resembled his neighbor If his own
life throughout had been like the last
few days.
The stranger ordered some breakfast,
and the attendant drew up little table,
so that it stood between Drane and his
more fortunate fellow-bather In fact
it was as near TO one as the other.
IF he eats right under my nose, this
way" said Drane to himself, ~ shall
become raving maniac
Is luxurious repast was ordered, and
then the stranger lay down upon the
divan and went to sleep. He did not
awake when the attendant laid the
cloth nor even when the lunch was
brought. Some gentle shaking brought
him partly to his senses, so that he was
able to sit up and pretend to be awake,
but when the attendant went away he
fell back upon the pillow and was asleep
again in a twinkling.
Then Dranes stomach arose and read
the declaration OF independence. 1t
would hear no excuses; no reproaches Of
conscience. Life, liberty and the pur-
suit OF happiness vas its text, and It