The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1891-03-26

were some cases of books, leather
lounge, and couple of ar1n-chairs |
drawn up before large mirror.
Walking proudly to the mirror which
reflected his erect form and handsome
face the old man introduced me to
Brother Ben
Of course l understood it all in a
moment, the painted looking glasses,
the sad-faeed women, and their reluct-
ance to allow stranger to intrude
upon their sorrow.
1t was a complete surprise to me, for
had never suspected the least thing
wrong with my friend, and | had be-
lieved in his brother Ben without a
shadow of doubt. Luckily the ladies
entered then, and by their tact relieved
me from my embarrassment
The old man told me how much he
and Ben enjoyed each others society,
and he eomplimented Ben upon his ap-
pearance. You are looking WE'LL Ben,
old boy, and am pleased to see you in
such good spirits to-day"
Soon the daughter suggested that Ben
might be tired, and took the hint and
male my adieux. AS l bowed myself
out the younger lady said: 1--WE see no.
body now, you know, but father enjoys
your company, and if you would stop
in to see him sometimes You would be
doing us great favor;' and promised
that l would come.
went quite often and nearly always
was taken to see Brother Ben, because
he had taken such a liking to me, the
old man said.
learned from the ladies that Ben
had been drowned when he was boy,
but of late the hallucination that he
was living and was insane had been
fixed in his brothers mind.
One day my friend told me that he
was worried about Ben. ''He seems to
be failing little" said he. 'I fancy
that his mind is less clear than it was
/ have noticed when talking with him
he loses the thread of the conversation
oftener than formerly"
He was right. Brother Ben" was
failing. 1t was pathetic to hear the old
man say: ''Ben, my boy, you are a trifie
pale to-day" or: "You should take
better care of yourself, brother: you
think too much and sleep too little"
l had a private interview with the
ladies one day, and we decided that
''Ben" would be better for little trip
away-so the mirror was removed and
we told the old man that his brother
had gone for change of air. But he
worried about Ben and missed him so
that we had the mirror hing again and
told him that Ben had come back.
He was overjoyed; he hastened 20 the
mirror. ben, dear old Ben, l have
missed you SO. I am so glad that you
came back" he said brokenly, paiting
the glass gently as he spoke. "And
you'll stay with me always now, won't
you, Ben? You won't leave me again,
for we haven't long to stay now, you
and I, and something tells me that we
will both go together, old fellow"
He failed rapidly after this and soon
he could only with difficulty get to his
old seat before the glass.
| "Ben, we're almost there" he would
say, and then he would ask us if it
were not pitiful to see Ben looking so
poorly.
Indeed it was, and our tears would
start as we saw the reflection of the
trembling limbs and vacant, wandering
gaze.
The end came at last, peaceful and
calm. He had been in bed some days
in sort of half-stupor. He reused one
night and called: Mother" ''Yes,
father, am here,'' she said, gently. 81
am going home now, and Ben's going,
too. I am glad can take him with me,
for he is so feeble and so fighty that he
wouldn't know how to get along with
out me, poor old boy, and then he might
bother you, mother, if I wasn't here to
sort of look after him"
He nestled down among the pillows,
looking SO happy and contented. eyes,
Ben, we are going together, just as we
came, he whispered, and in few min
utes he was home with Ben.--Marie
More Marsh, in Chicago Times.