Idaho news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1887-1891, 1890-04-05
THE LESSON Ole A LIFE.

along the narrow road which leads
through thelittle Mendon graveyard,
then up over the hill to the worn old
rustic seat under the oak tree. To
judge by their travel-stained appear
ance the two friends had wandered
there while waiting for train, and
were strangers to the place. They
were so deeply engrossed IN CONVEX
sation that they sat down almost me-
chemically, without observing their
beautiful surroundings, or noticing
that quite near them there was an
other man, who, indeed, was more
than hclf hidden by the huge tree in
whose shade he was resting.
One of the travellers wore that set
tied, contented look which comes from
a happy disposition and prosperous
circumstances. He was well-dressed
and in all respects ito the manner
born" When he spoke, which he did
often, his voiee had that cheerful,
hearty ring which bespeaks the good
companion and trusty friend. The
other man was younger than his
friend, and his attire showed that at
tention to details which marks the
young society gentleman. His
manner was the most quiet imagin-
able; and while his companion talked
on in a quick, nervous way, he
sat looking straight before him,
replying in monosyallables, if he
replied at all. Yet it was the
younger man and his insterests
that were the theme of conversation
as was manifest when the elder, with
an air of forced resignation, said:
"The fact is, John, 1 believe this is
the one thing can't help You in. l
think / could in everything else under
the sun but this; but here you have
stumped me. | can't advise you; and
I'm sure l don't Hnow what l should
do under the circumstances. Then,
after pause, he resumed more Sc
riously: "You see, / had no such prob
lem in my marriage. In fact, Inev-
er had any problems at all. Every
thing has gone smoothly with me
from the time | was born. 1t is so
with some people. One day / made
up my mind it was time to marry and
tsle down; and the very next day
met Annie, who just suited me, and
who had exactly the nice little for
tune needed to make us both com
Portable, and who accepted me as
soon as asked her, and has made
me happy ever since There were no
heroics about it. We liked each 9TH
er and have agreed first ratio so far,
and are likely to continue comforta-
bly, on for the rest of our lives. You
see haven't any data to judge your
case by--don't you?"
''Oh, yes, indeed" said John, and
then relapsed into silence, staring
straight before him across the white
headstones down over the river, and
SO beyond to the sea. The elder man
looked inguiringly at his companion.
began to speak. hesitated, and then
went on: II wouldn't worry about
it II were you anyway. Why, nv
boy, tits making you'll. What odds
does it make, after all? One girl is
very much like another; and you'll
love the one you marry, after you
marry her. You say she doesn't
know you care for her, so YOU are
safe there. You'll forget her after
awhile, and love-the one you marry.
as | said before. You know Won
thought you loved Mabel Dame
once"
''Oh, yes. indeed!" responded John
again; but added, "That was before / |
saw Eleanor" rousing himself
with an effort, he went on: 1.-THE truth |
of the matter is simply this, Andrew,
as | told you. / don't know what to /
do. Since knew Z eanor simply try
to think care for Mabel; but / can't |
bring myself to the Doint ofaskinp her
to marry me; for when | even ina
CINE myself doing so, Eleanor's face
interposes, and | simply want to fall
down and worship her. argue itall |
over to myself, over and over again. |
hour after hour. Mabel is beautiful /
and good and accomplished. She
would make any MIN happy-bnt
me. Her father and mine are friends.
They want US to marry. She has
fortune, which will set me
On my feet in my profession. and
make my way easy. Think she cares
or me. or would. In fact, every
hing was rs it should lie. until saw
Eleanor Maynard. Eleanor-but
amt argue about her"
Again he sank into moody silence.
md his friend, az mnch for his own
ellie ,s for Johns. took up the theme
md went on: Eleanor Maynard is
,retty, beautiful, perhaps; hut most
PERSONS would call Miss Dame far