The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1891-03-26


Woodson. too, was waiting in n timid, helpless
sort Of fashion for something TO turn MP
but Miss Clemens euergctcally set 10 work 10
bring that something 10 pass Knowing this
peCuli3rty of hers ] was not at all surprised
when she called me mys.criously aside one
evening and prOheTed an invitation 10 take a
walk with AcT.
] knew 20 once something would come OF IT,
and Tell 10 mOTHiZlug as we walked, j could
NOT help rejecting how aimlessiv most OF us
hang ON the edge OF great things. With too
much ambition To hp content with what we
have, wye yet lack energy or courage, or persc-
VCTHuCe, or some other upedlul quality 90 grasp
Ht the things just beyond our reach. Although
Il mly persuaded that one may have whatever
they wish u this world, or The next, ID they
only want DO badly enough. badly enough TO
tmWple down all obstacles, and with one single
object boz view, clamIor for that alone, some
how even TINS suGieuCss OF purpose always
seems just beyond ouF grasp. Some temporary
purpose comes between us ana the great ambi-
ti0u and while we attend 10 the lItt,c things
the great ones must wait So life is slipping
HwGy, ana when the closing scene shah come,
most of ms viii be found in the ranks of the
great majority who plan much and accomplish
nothing.
All this Is In no way connected with our
boarding house, only when 4 found that my
companion bad taken the refusal OF a beautiful
fiat Iu new building that j passed every day
without giving ID second thought and only
waited my appreciation 10 close The bargain, j
frlt am increased admiration for her and
frankly Acknowledged that but for her po-
ahead aiivrurss ] should stii De sBppiug that
muddy coffee wIth "a sIuddcr and taking daily
doses oi pcp-n aud What-uOt 90 lay the ghosts
Oi ancient chicken aud smoky steak. But j
anticipate.
As have imtmated the Cat was everything
that could bc desired, as flats go. New and clean,
with seven large airy rooms, plenty Of closets,
and every accessory of luEuriaus living. So ID
seemed t9 two f0Tlum dumsts who bad been
sitting I'd chambers whore the proycIlial eat
could not be swung without daslIug out Us
brains We pazeu about us In admiration, aud
as we slW the sunlight streaming into the re-
hottest corner drew long iu.l breath, and the
thing was settled. Poverty o. 10 poverty, we
could not 20 back 10 live in Boarding house
Lane again. And this is bow we planned il:
Tor 0uTsl.yc we would retain the smallcr
rooms. Although in the rCar, they opened ON
10 n charming yor,uda and had tho sunshine
most 0i The day. The larger and moro lHC'cu-
tI0ua ones Wu would lll 10 lud GERS DthorNi sg.
lhC luxury o. which we aapIrCd would be as fJr
beyond our humble means as Windsor Castle or
the Iuilrirs.
Mrs No04s0n the timii ono Of the party
looked aEhI-t when we told her what $50 had
assumed but we soon convinced her that ii
VIC went into poorer and cheaper UcighbGr-
hood wc need not expect tenants Who could
afford 10 pay Tor handsome quarters aud we
would really be 30 better gli iaau az present.
The moro Wc talked the more feasible the
sehomc appeared. With dainty touches Miss
Clemens drew picture Of the little parlor wc
would have. thC pleasant bed rooms. the indie
pandcncc in every way, and, above all, the
home-leeIIug Tor which SIC I'D sighed. Suffice
Do 10 Say the lovely fat was taken. aud the
diugy rooms Of the boarding house iatod 10
know uE NO more forever.