The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1891-02-20
BRADLEY'S FAILURE
Why He Did Not Perform the
Task Assigned Him.

''If / only had the courage" said
Bradley, as he looked over the stone
parapet of the embankment at the dark
waters of the Thames as they flashed
for moment under the glitter of the
gaslight and then disappeared in the
black night 10 flash again further down.
Very likely l would struggle to get
out again the moment went over,' he
mutttered TO himself. But if no helm
came 1t would all be done in a minute.
Two minutes, perhaps I'll warrant
those two minutes would seem an eter-
nifty / would see 4 hundred ways of
making living if I could only get out
again. Why can't | see one now while
am out? My father committed suicide;
why shouldn't 1? L suppose it runs in
the family. There seems to come a
time when it is the only way out.
wonder if he hesitated? I'm a 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.
III do it" he cried aloud and was
about to slide down when a hand grasped
his arm and a voice said:
What win you do?"
In the light of the gas-lamp Bradley
saw man whose face seemed familiar.
and although he thought rapidly:
"Nhere have l seen that man beforeP"
he could not place him.
Nothing" answered Bradley, sui
lenly.
That's right" was the answer. I'D
DO nothing of that kind if ! were YOU.
"Oi course you wouldn't You have
every thing that haven't-food, clothes.
-Aelter. 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 wis. if YOU want
50 know. There's eight shiIIings rail-
way fare, shilling for something TO
cat tonight and shilling for some
thing in the morning. But I haven't
the ten shiIlings and so that's whv."
IF give you the ten sni.lfnrs what
assurance have ! that you viii not o..
and get drunk on it?"
None at all ! have not asked YOU
fer ten shilllngs, nor for one. have
simply answered your qucs sion.-
That is true. | viii give you .
pound if you viii 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?"
Il am carpenter"
You are welcome to the pound"
~ Will take it gladly. But, mind you,
am not beggar. l will take it if you
give me your address, so that may
send it back to you when earn it."
BY this time Bradley had come down
on the pavement The other man
laughed slightly.
Il can not agree TO that You are
welo ONE to the money. More if you
ike. | merely doubled the sum you
mentioned to provide for any thing un-
seem"
Unless you let me return it, / will
not take the money"
Il have perfect confidence in your
honesty. If had not would not offer
the money. can not give you my ad-
dress, or, rather, viii not If you will !
pay the pound to some charity or |
will give 1T to some one who is in |
need 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?"
Il am considered rather a good Judge
Of men. am certain you viii do what
you say"
Il will take the money. 1 doubt if
there is any one in London tonight who
needs 1t much worse than / do"
Bradley looked after the disappearing
hgure of the man who had befriended
him
Il have seen that man somewheres
before. he said 10 himself Butin that
nc was wrong. He hadn't