Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1892-03-03
A GOLDEN ALLY.

Mr.. Samuel Slickens walked down the
main street of Aberdeen one morning
with downcast mien: Perhaps. he was
studying the probable durability of his
shoes, for his mind was occupied with
ways and means.
+. tits said that tho stomach influences
the brain. If so, little wonder was there
in his case that his thoughts were seri-
Gus. He had had no breakfast; his regi-
men the day before had comprised few
greasy potato chips.
There ought to be some one who
would 60 at least a soup ticket on me"
he murmured; but even as he did, long
line of forbidding faces answered, "No
one
And yet there were few young men on
the street of finer appearance than
Samuel Slickcns, few indeed of q more
harmless and amiable disposition. He
was one of those unfortunates of whom
his friends say, with shrug, "He is his
own worst enemy" and find this pre-
cedent for their own treatment of him.
- Ii had not baan .slsxass.-thsss-h osvoyers
When he first came to Aberdeen, after
graduating from the law-school, he was
regarded as the possessor of III bou idod
possibilities. He was an orphan. lie
had inherited snug fortune, which fame
had made snugger; he had bright eye,
O winsome smile, an engaging manner.
Who was there so apt of anecdote, so
quick at repartee, so tuneful of voice, as
he? To know Sam Slickens was a dis
tinction, to visit at his rooms an event
One, two, three, four, the years had
glided away, and at the beginning OF
each Sam had regretfully said. IL wish
were as we'll off as was twelve months
ago." and then had thought no more
about it. But Fortunatus without his
purse is Fortunatus no longer, so nov
his friends agreed that it was wonde
that he had kept going so long. Perhapi
It was, but no such foreboding hat
troubled them over his dinners ant
cigars.
This walk down street on this partic
ular morning was chiefly induced b.
habit, for his extensive law offices wer
S now confined to his hat; his elegan
apartments for week and more had bee
within one one of the city's parks. 1t wa
a lonely walk, too, interrupted by n
hearty greeting or vigorous slap upo
the back. For some reasons his friend
= preferred the other side of the stree
and their gaze was concentrated upon II
architectural beauties of the building
b, that lined it
al swear!" resolved Sam, "1'll ca
upon Campbell. He's crank, so he
sure 10 differ from oil the others"
Now, Lionel Campbell was al unplea
ant enigma to the average citizen, wi
could not understand exclusiveness
u wards his affable self. His wealth T
ouired millions to calculate, and engro
his entire attention. Since he nina
his business, and barely vouchsafed
surly nod to the gilded youth whom
~ might meet, he was popularity voted "t
meanest man." His father had left
son the gross results of a lifetime
thrift and energy, less the pittance viii
bare existence had cost him. People 60
, that in Lionel his subtlety and avnrI
were intensified. In reality they KIN
little about him, for he had led the
of q recluse, and returned with inter
I the dislike which he engendered'. :.
Sam entered the vast general ON
: filed with clerks busted with the affa
of the Campbell estate, and difhden
gave his name TO an usher
o "Tll take II In" this functionary %
. dubiouslv. .sbut Ne no use reck
Q They wonder be waiting to see him
9 and be designated with his finger q Pc,
4 group, among whom Sam recognized
. railway magnet, an insurance preside