The National tribune., 1892-01-07
BULD LANG SYNE.
Three Lives Bettered Through Vision
in the Goals.
by CoNDIT CRANE.

GsSJr-11aa NUBBINS smiled complacently,
G E M and his reflection from the mirror
S9F'Yf33 on his dresser smiled compla-
LAWA Gently in return. Through eyes
cJ5-sT--t-70 perverted by sef-csteem he gazed,
and the SQUAT, cOrpulent figure seemed slender
and graceful, the grizzled, bloichy CHEEKS
blushed ingenuously, and the sparse locks ihat
concealed his poll AS netting does inc uag-
light, still curled ambrosially.
The room indicated q batchclor's comfort,
matrimonially chasteued not yauquished-that
ideal comfort that rewards Wido"er Tor
proper preliminary training. There was neat
ness, not precision; order not Hgldltyi mar
mOny, not severity,
Bituminous coal sputtercd within the cavern
Ous hearth. Ii woed assIduously the great
easy chair before ID; ID swayed the dark gray
hRnRings with the sOmnOlent pulse oil ITS neat :
ID cast dashes OF light aud of shade up and over
a portrait that hung above the mautel, now
causing il 10 speak and then again to sleep.
But Mr.. Nubbins noticed no variance from That
Blumber. which had lasted over 90 years.
Aud yet that sweet, gente face, with those
decp, violet eyes, which, ii they could speak,
would surely speak words of comfort aud
sympathy, had once been for Mr. AuObins n
lOde-star Of pure domestic happiness. An,
well memory may be eternal, but ottIlmes,
like Arachne it withers as il ages
Without The gale raised havoc with bough and
branch aud chimney pot, whirliug the snow
that fell fast aud furOusly into ghostly vitality
Yet these spectors appalled, not hearty, bolster
ous, ioyial humanity that pressed forward,
laden with mysterious bundles, guided by the
compass of love toward the haven Of home.
The storm king might rage and marshal his
shadowy allies; hearty, hoisterous, lovial
humanity laughed at his shrieks aud wished
him the COmplimcts OF the season.
IL ~ rf & As4x vrh
walls the past aud points with confidence to-
ward the future; when even time pauses for a
moment and forms resolutions OF an era OF
peace and good will. All! mountains arc more
tedious than the plain. yet from their peaks
glorious Fistas can be seen!
Mr. Nubbins fingered before the mirror as II
reluctant 10 abandon such pleasurabe proofs OF
his perfection. He admired even the inevitable
bulge of his shirt-frout--that penalty of obesity
and the broad red wrinkles with which age
had fretted his neck. A man Of my position
aud bearing" he proudly murmured, as he
pinned down his waistcoat aud then he as
Eured himself hilariously n not harmOni0usy,
that he was Just as young as he used 10 be.
At last vanity became gorged IL not satated.
With herosm that shamed Aarcssus, Mr..
Nubbins turned away. lie waddled to desk
In the 8lc0Ee and sprung open a secret drawer.
He took therefr0m a velvet case; he uncasped
q. aud gloated over the sparkling contents with
pT0trudiugeyes. "Brilliants 10 the Brilliant" T"
be exclaimed. "Ah, how her bright eyes viii
dance. how her delicious blush will thrOb when
give these TO her"
He enwrapped himself in bis greatcoat by a
series Of unAeavals that notified bis face with
purple; be placed tie case in his pocket aud
started to leave the ROOM As he did so, ho
caught the sweet gaze OF the portrait IN Hash
from the CRATE. lie paused, iuvOuutarlly aud
shrugged his shoulders as II touched by the
hand of q bcggar. Tom shall have it," he
muttered lie is old enough 10 prize his
mothers portrait. lie shall have il when this
happens"