Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1891-06-11
A WELL BROKEN WILL.

al tiot, QulIc COutcuG IL II week la DOR
on black and white work brought me
a moderate compensation. 1 had not
an ambition beyond hanging picture
at the annual exhibition of the Acad-
envy. On this had been working as
siduously at spare moments. It rep
resented man sitting at table with
jug of beer before him. the very
picture of contentment. Under it was
the sentiment: IF l had fortune
I'd never leave New York;
This picture was great success.
People got to discussing whether if
they had plenty of money it would be
possible to fully enjoy life without
leaving The island. l awoke one morn
ing to find that one of these idiots. who
had taken au pied de lettre what l had
merely intended as joke had sud-
denly died, making his will in my
favor, but coupling his benefaction
with the proviso that I, Peter Van Pelt
should never leave Manhattan. If I
did so the property. some thousands
per annum, was instantly to revert to
another of his fads. the Society for the
Cultivation of Social Ethics.
You may imagine that, never having
been able to afford any but the most
meagre and temporary absences from
the city, this proviso attached to the
gift of several thousands per annum
was one which didn't trouble me
greatly. only blessed my lucky
stars that crank like Mr.. Marston
had existed and had taken the extra
ordinary view that a man with plenty
of funds at his disposal couldn't be
perfectly contented in New York city.
| at once notified the executors of my
intention to accept the conditions of
the legacy, and proceeded to enjoy
life.
threw up all my black and white
work, neglected the art which had
brought me my fortune. and exerted
myself night and day in endeavoring
to extract all the pleasure possible
from my new position. I took apart
ments on the avenue, furnished them
extensively. gathered around me a
number of choice spirits, and for
awhile actually succeeded in enjoying
myself. lived on the fat of the land.
Things went along swimmingly for
nearly year. The only thing that
marred my enjoyment of my new
fortune was the perpetual espionage l
underwent at the hands of the agent
of the Society for the Cultivation of
Social Ethics. He naturally wanted
TO catch me tripping.
He was a small, thin, stealthy man,
with the most odious. yellow eyes. At
/ first it was u matter of perfect indiffer-
ence to me whether he followed me or
not. but after awhile got into habit
of CHANGING over my shoulder to see if
he was there. was nervous if saw
him and entirely miserable if he was
not in sight. O. how grew to hate
| him.
1t was absolutely impossible for me
to get rid of this fellow. He followed
me everywhere. If 1 went to the
theater and took box he was sure to
be there sitting in the parquet. If I
took a seat in the parquet had only
/ to glance up to see him regarding me
/ steadfastly from the balcony. | went
into restaurant, l ate with the con-
seriousness that his eye was upon me.
| / never spent dollar but seemed to
hear him cry:
How much more good that would
have done for the advancement Of
social ethics.''
The fellow pursued me everywhere.
Of course he was not always in sight,
but there was the consciousness that
he was perpetually dogging my foot
steps. If l went down to the Battery
| or to one of the wharves in summer to
get little fresh air he was there,
uttering not Il word, but saying as
plainly as possible by his looks:
"Why don't you give this thing up
and take a trip into the country. You
know this confinement is killing you,
and what will be the use of your
money then?"
I got rid of him for a whole night
once by ruse you will admit was
rather clever. My man servant was
pearance. dressed him up to closely
resemble me and sent him over to Jer-
sey City. The agent followed him, and
that night took the boat to Astoria
and had splendid walk in the coun-
try.
The very next morning, however, I
could tell by his manner that he knew
| he had been tricked.
You may say what you like about
the pleasures of the town. I tell you
they come to an end at last There
came time when was nearly throw
ing up my contract and getting off
somewhere out into the country. 1t
was summer time. A party of my
friends had just left that morning for
Newport. o, how detested the city
and the hot pavements.
I went into Central Park. 1t was
the nearest approach to the country 1
could find; but its trim rusticity only
goaded my brain into thinking of
shady lanes and real country meadows.
Above the tops of the trees could see
the roofs of the houses. was still in
town.
I felt so aggravated on this partic-
ular morning that had half a mind
to sit down aud write to the executors
of the will and tell them I could hold
out no longer. I was in the mental
act of preparing this letter when l was
aroused by terrible noise beyond
some bushes, and the sound of a female