The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1891-01-07
THE FAILURE OF BRADLEY,
BY LUKE SHARP.

BY LUKE SHARP.
'If I only had the courage,n said
Bradley as he looked over the stone para
pet OF the embankment at the dark
waters Of the Thames as they flashed for
a moment under the glitter of the gas
light and then disappeared in the black
night to fash again further down.
''Very likely would struggle to get
out again the moment | went over" he
muttered to himself ssBut if no HELM
came 1t would all be done in a minute.
Two minutes perhaps. III warrant those
two minutes would seem an eternity. ]
would see hundred ways Of making q
living II could only get out again. Why
can't see one now while / am out. My
father committed suicide, why shouldn't
II suppose il runs in the family. There
seems to come time when 1t Is the only
way out. Iwonder if he hesitated9 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
witha shpdder at the gloomy river.
''Pll do IL, he cried aloud, and was
about to slide down when hand grasped
his arm and Voice said
''What win you iosf
In the light OF the gas lamp Bradley
saw a man whose face seemed familiar
and although he thought rapidly,
"Where have seen that man beforef''
be could not place him.
Nothing" answered Bradley, sui
lenly.
"That's right" was the answer. It'd
do nothing Of that kind if were you.''
"Of course you wouldn't. You have
everything that ! hayen't--food, Clothes,
shelter. Certainly you wouldn't. Why
should you9"
thatl'
because ten shilliugs 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
to- night and a shilling for something in
the morning. But l haven't the ten
shillings and that's why"
''If give you the ten sbillings what
assurance have l that you will not go and
get drunk ON it9n
''None at all. have not asked you
for ten shillings, nor for one. l have
simply answered your questions. !"
"That is true. l will give you a
pound ii you will take it, and SO il un-
fortunately you spend half of it in cheer
ing yourself up, you will still get that
lob. What is the iob2u
~ am carpenter"
''You are welcome to the pound"
81 win take it gladly. But, mind
you, 1 am not beggar. / will take it
II 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.
~ cannot agree to that. You are
welcome to the money. More if you
like. i merely doubled the sum you
mentioned to provide for anything un-
seen"
"Unless you letme return it, will not
take the money"
~ have perfect confidence in your
honesty. II had not l would not offer
the money. l cannot give you my adj
dress, or, rather, will not II you will
pay the pound to some charity or will
give it to someone who is in need will
be satisfied. If you give it TO the right
man and tell him 10 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 dc
that?n
81 am considered rather good Judge
Of men. am certain you win do what
you say"
81 will take the money / doubt if
there is anyone in London tonight
who needs it much worse than do. f"
Bradley looked after the disappearing
figure Of the man who had befriended
him.
~ have seen that man somewhere be.
FORE" he said toshimself. But in that
he was wrong He hadn't.
Wealth is most unevenly and most un-
fairly divided. All of US admit that,
pul ioW u US agree as 70 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 II was 1900 years ago. Where so
many are in doubt it is perhaps a com
fort to meet men who have no uncertain
ty as to the cause and the remedy. Such
body of men met in a back room of
Soho Square.
"We are waiting for you, Bradley"
said the chairman, as the carpenter took
his place and the doors were locked. He
looked better than he had done year
before ON the Thames embamkment.
81 know I'm late, but l couldn't help /
1t. They are rushing things at the ex
hibition grounds. The time is short now,
and they are beginning to be anxious for