The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1891-01-03
BRADLEY'S FAILURE.
Why He Did Not Perform the
Task Assigned Him.

'If l only had the courage" said
Bradley as he looked over the stone
parapet of the embankment at the dark
waters of tho Thames as they flashed
for moment under the glitter of the
gaslight and then disappeared in the
black night to flash again further down.
Every likely 1 would struggle to get
out again the moment went over,' he
mutttered to himself. "But If no help
came it would all be done in minute.
Two minutes, perhaps I'll warrant
those two minutes would seem an eter-
nifty. l would see hundred ways of
making living If l could only get out
again. Why can't see one now while
am out? My father committed suicide;
why shouldn't l? l suppose it runs in
the family. There seems to come a
time when it is the only way out
wonder if he hesitated? Pm coward,
that's the trouble"
After moments hesitation the man
slowly climbed on the top of the stone
wall and then paused again. He looked
with shudder at the gloomy river.
''Tll do it," he cried aloud, and was
about to slide down when hand grasped
his arm and voice said:
"Whdt will you do?"
In the light of the gas-lamp Bradley
saw man whose face seemed familiar.
and although he thought rapidly:
"Where have | seen that man before?"
he could not place him.
Nothing" answered Bradley, sui
lenly.
'"That's right" was the answer. "Pd
do nothing of that kind if l were you"
"Of course you wouldn't. You have
every thing that haven't-food, clothes,
shelter. Certainly you wouldn't. Why
should you?''
"Why should you, if it comes to
that?"
Because ten shillings stands between
me and job. That's why, if you want
to know. There's eight shillings rail
way fare, a shilling for something to
eat tonight and shilling for some-
thing in the morning. But I haven't
the ten shillings and so that's why"
"If give you the ten shillings what
assurance have l that you will not 60
and get drunk on it?"
None at all. have not asked you
for ten shillings, nor for one. have
simply answered your ques Sion.''
"That is true. 1 will give you a
pound If you will take it, so if unfortun-
ately you spent half Of it in cheering
yourself up, you will still get that job
What is the job?"
II am carpenter"
"You are welcome to the pound"
81 will take it gladly. But, mind you,
am not a beggar. 1 will take it if you
give me your address, so that may
send it back to you when l earn it."
BY this time Bradley had come down
on the pavement. The other man
laughed slightly.
81 can not agree to that. You are
welcome to the money. More if you
like. l merely doubled the sum you
mentioned to provide for any thing IN
seem"
"Unless you let me return it, will
not take the money"
II have perfect confidence in your
honesty. If / had not 1 would not offer
the money. can not give you my ad-
dress, or, rather, / will not. If you will
pay the pound to some charity or
will give it to some one who is in
need l will be satisfied. If you give it
to the right man and tell him to do the
same, the pound will do more good than
ever it will in my pocket or in my usual
way of spending it."
'But how are you to know will do
that?"
81 am considered rather good Judge
of men. am certain you will do what
you'say."
II will take the money. doubt il
there is any one in London tonight who
needs it much worse than do"
Bradley looked after the disappearing
figure Of the man who had befriended
him.
II have seen that man somewheres
before, he said to himself Butin that
he was wrong. He hadn't.
Wealth is most unevenly and most
unfairly divided. All of us admit that,
but few of us agree as to what should
be the remedy. Some of the best minds
of the century have been in doubt as to
what is the true remedy. "The poor ye
have always with you" is as true to-day
as it was eighteen hundred years ago.
~
haps comfort to meet men who have
no uncertainty as to the cause and the
remedy. Such body of men meG in
back room off Soho Square.
"We are waiting for you, Bradley"
said the chairman, as the carpenter
took his place and the doors were
looked. He looked better than he had
done year before on the Thames en-
bankment.
''I know Pm late, but couldn't help
it. They are rushing things at the ex-
hibition grounds. The time is short
now, and they are beginning to be
anxious for fear every thing will not be
ready in time
That's it," said one of the small
group, 1--WE are slaves and must be late
or early as the sO-called masters
choose"
''Oh, there is extra pay" said Brad
ley, with smile, as he took seat.
Gentlemen" said the chairman, rap
ping on the desk, 1--WE will now proceed
to business. The secret committee has
met and made resolution. After the
lots are drawn it will be my task to in
form the man chosen what the job 10.
1t is desirable that as few as possible,
even among ourselves, should know
who the man is who has drawn the
marked paper, Perhaps it may be my
own good fortune to be the chosen man.
One of the papers is marked with
cross Whoever draws that paper is to
communicate with me at my room with
In two days. He is to come alone. II