The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-03-07
A RACE WITH DEATH.
BY ROBERT N. STEPHENS.

whose profession Journalism was so ca
pricious But when they met his wife
they understood and pardoned his un-
wisdom.
When his first child appeared on the
scene he did more audacious thing.
"That ends this lodging house exist
ence," he said. "Tll quit Bohemia and
get a home for me and mine"
And he bought a neat little place not
far up town, and furnished it "on time"
binding himself to make weekly payments
on the furniture and semi-annual ones on
| the house.
"He's acquired stock OF worriment to
last him the rest of his days." remarked
! Boyce, a reported who had struggled for
| three months to pay for a fioorful OF fur
niture on the installment plan and finally
beheld most of his goods hauled back to
the store from which they had come.
But Corson was as daring as he was
bright. "What is life without congenial
environment" he said, and he and his
wife went joyously upon a sunlit way,
which was marked in due time by the
birth OF a second baby, boy.
Still Corson managed to increase the at
| tractiveness OF his bone and to make his
payments with little overwork. His
1
| of newspaper, his vivacious articles on
theatrical subjects in two weekly periodi-
Gals, his rarely accepted magazine contri-
buttons, his occasional sketches published
here and there, his royalties for two sem
sational melodramas and a farce on tour,
| his ther odds and ends, kept his receipts
| about even with his expenses, and he did
| not worry. He was young and his nature
was buoyant. His wife was Of similar dis
position.
81 haven't got in the way OF saving
| yet," he said to me one day, over an after
| luncheon mug OF beer "But that'n come
when the house is paid for. Then I'm
going to let up bit on hack work and do
something creditable to myself. / don't
bother about fame yet. Once I'm on
Easy street, though, I'll begin to let my
best abilities have a show, and try to build
up reputation.
And he confided to me an idea which he
intended to embody in a novel entitled
ga Brave Surrender" conceit that sure
ly would win celebrity for any man who
would treat it artisticalIy. "Why don't
you begin IL now?" / asked.
Oh, haven't time yet to do anything
that isn't sure to bear pecuniary fruit at
once. i can't wait for a late harvest.
of his great conception he cherished it
fondly, and its anticipated advent was
his dream. Even at that time deemed
Corson hero-one of the kind not only
possible but numerous in these days Of
apparent littleness. To do a thing worthy
of his talents some day was his life ambi-
tion; to make safe and sure the home of
his wife and children was his self ap-
pointed preliminary task.
The sudden killing OF Haskell the
artist, in a railroad accident, was like
flash of lightning to Corson. When he
heard of 1t his face paled and a horrible
awakening showed in his blue eyes.
"a man never knows what may happen
to him." he said in low voice. l could
easily read that he was thinking: "If
had been on that trainl Debt still hang
ing over the home! Blanche and the
bsbies" He added aloud: "I'l write to
that life insurance man to call to-mor-
row."
Three days later-it was on Sunday-I
dined at his house. His wife was charm
ing hostess-contentment and gayety
personified. The children reflected her
brown eyes and her amiability. Their home
was manifestly that of an art lover, made
SO with such economy as woman's in
afternoon. When left at evening Corson
walked with me to the corner. We stopped
beneath an electric light.
SHOW happy you ought to be, my boyl"
] said.
Yes" he replied, quietly.
But you work too much. Surely you
can afford to reduce the pressure a few
pounds"
"No. found out yesterday that must
increase it,"
His soft eyes met mine. There was
hidden sadness there, and his face was
without its wonted animation. The cleo
trio light gave it an almost CHASTITY look.
"What do you meant" asked.
"Simply this. They wouldn't insure
my life! They found have consumption
and also liability to valvular LESSONS OF
the heart. Whether exert myself or not,
the doctor won't give me more than four
years to live. BY loafing I might gain
few months, but then coul dn't clear the
home OF debt. l can pay it off in nine
months, IL l hustle. sha'n't know
moments rest until / do. IL there's
nothing else, you know, when I'm gone,
Blanche and the youngsters can let the
two upper stories and live on the rent"
But your great idea-your Brave Sur
render, your bait for fame?"
"I'll have to drop that! It's living for
Blanche and the children that must look
for now. mean TO stay in the ring till
every cent is paid, il / drop dead the
moment afterl Don't mention il 10 any
one, old man. She mustn't know it,"
/ looked after him as he walked back
hurrying homeward TO begin that race
with death which more than one man has
run and many man has lost.
Corson himself had made the terms OF
the contest. The goal that he undertook
TO reach ere his pursuer should overtake
him was the payment Of the last dollar
due upon his home.
Any attempt to influence or 10 persuade
him from his course would have been fu-s
tile. He had stiffcned his lips and dilated
his nostrils and he meant business. When
/ met DIR. Harbster i'm the lobby OF the
Broadway Theatre between the acts on the
next night, asked him il Corson's case
was as grave as Corson thought IL.
Exactly, IL not more so. IL came on