The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1890-07-03

chair which had been tilted, face down.
ward. against the far table at the
..conricrs" order. He was tall. and had
an aquiline. intellectual cast or counte-
nance. His hands-the artist had an APP
preciatiyc eye for hands and fingers
were students: his linen was ire
proachable: his chin and cheeks were
blue-shaven, and his black hair was cut
straight across at the back just clearing
the collar of his coat, instead of being
shingled.
"A clergyman deduced Gilchrist,
from the latter popularity. That-not
the white choker-is the trademark of
the profession. Did barber. or preach
er, establish the fashion? After inspec-
ton Of the menu, the newcomer ordered
rcpast which was sumptuous when
compared with the frugal one course Of
the seven seated at the table built
around a post in the middle Of the room.
lie took no notice Of them nor they of
him. Ills mien was stndiously abstract
ed. While waiting for his food he drew
small blotting-pa from his pocket and
wrote upon it with a stylographic pen,
his profile keener as his work went on.
In pausing to collect thoughts or choose
| words the inclination Of his eyes was
| upward. After his entrance profound
silence settled upon the central table.
Not even the baby prattled. This sim
| gular taciturnity took on significance TO
the alert wits of the unsupported
observer when he saw a swift inter-
change of looks between the cripple and
her left-hand neighbor. attended by a
grimace Of such bitter disdain directed
by the junior OF the pair at the student
as fairly startled the artist
The unconscious object of the shaft
put up paper and pen, and addressed
| himself with deliberate dignity, upon
the arrival of his raw oysters. to the
lower task of filling the material part
| of him. lie was discussing juicy
| square of porterhouse steak, as March
bowed respectfully on his way out, to
| the girl at tho head of the board, q
| smile in his pleasant eyes being es-
| pecially intended for the dwarfed
cripple beside her.
Homer had bolted the last fragment
| OF huge segment Of custard pie,
i d
jorum of coffee, and sat. satiate and
sheepish, upon the tall stool, awaiting
| orders
1.-The most extraordinary combinery.
taken in all its parts, it was evef my
luck to behold" declared March Gil
christ at his fathers dinner-table that
| evening. Intensely American, through
out, though. ! wish / knew whether
or not the man who appropriated the
| reserved seat was usurper. If he were,
| that spirited little economist of a cour-
Ter was quite capable of dispossessing
him, Or. at least, o. calling the waiter
to account for neglect Of duty And
what relation did blind Homer bear to
the party?'
dear old March, said his sister, at
fectionately. "Story-Weaving in tho old
fashion! How natural it sounds! What
jolly times you anu have had over our
amateur romances Ind believes.
Which reminds me of a remarkable SER
mon preached Sunday before last by our
| new pastor. Il told you we had one,
didn't I?l The text was: Six water.
pots of stone, containing two or three
firkins apiece.
'Absurd.'
"True; but listen! The text was only
hook from which he hung an eloquent
discourse upon the power OF faith to
| make wine-'old and mellow and flavor
| ous,' he called tout of what to crosse
souls seems insipid water twas plea
for the pleasures of imagination al as
falkland elevated our favorite amuse-
| ment into fine art, and the fine art
into religion. came home feeling like
spiritual chameleon, fully convinced
! that rarlfied air is the rightful susie
nance of an immortal being. According
to our Mr.. Wayt what you haven't got
is the only thing you ought to be sure
OF. Life is sort OF Now you see it
and now you don't see it. business
throughout. Only when you don't see
| it you are richer and happier than when
you do. Did you ever think to hear me
babble metaphysics? Now, where are
those portfolios?''
| "Make.believe that you have over
hauled them, and be blest," retorted her
brother. There's a chance to practice
| your metaphysical cant. With 4 new,
deep meaning in it, too, which you will
detect when you inspect my daubs. l
did some fairish things in Norway. how
ever, which may prove that your rule
has an exception"
The Gilchrists freely acknowledged
themselves to be what the son and
daughter styled "a mutual admiration
square," March's portfolios were not
the only engrossing subjects that drew
them together in the library where COT
| fee and cigars were served.
TO BE CONTINUED.