The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-03-03


page containing my letter | sat blushing
wits all the pride of fresh blown author
ship. Presently the face looked up and
saw to my surprise my old schoolfellow,
Sandie Macpherson. Our eyes met, but
his stony CRIBS gave no sign of recognition
Then he turned to the paper again and
smiled Yes. he was reading my letter. 1t
might astonsh the public, but it could not
impose upon him. There were Latin and
/ Greek quotations in it and fragments of
g moral philosophy; how ashamed | felt Of
them as saw them come under his baleful
eye! He smiled again, placed down the
paper paid his reckoning and walked out
of the shop without a word. | went home
miserable man. | might put on grand
airs before the public, but one man knew
my measure. Sandie Macpherson.
at was no use arguing with myself that
the man was an idiot; that although he
was glib at up-taking what WAS taught
him, be had neither talent nor originality.
The memory of those early days haunted
me like = shadow.
81 am not going to weary you-and my
self-with a history of my literary strug-
giles till | conquered the booktaster, the
magazine editor and the publisher, and
became recognized producer of the popu-
lar literary article. Years passed away.
In the course of years emigrated to Lon
don on the invitation of John Mill. the
philosopher. Then | published my first
book. and as have told you, it was fail
ure. | retrieved myself by my second,
which was about half as good and not near
so earnes. as the first. | still had Glasgow
and Sandie Macpherson in my mind when
l failed or succeeded, but in course of time
the impression grew DINNER and DINNER.
1t was one fine day that John Mill, return
ing from the north, where he had been
lecturing, said TO me:
"'By the way, Carlyle, met an old
schoolfellow of yours in Glasgow
AYE, indeed?' | said, feeling the blood
mount to my face
"A man named Macpherson, a small
tradesman and member of the local club
which took me down. A prosy fellow and
very sarcastic. He amused me very much
with his dry "reminiscences of your school
days and seemed greatly astonished that
you had made any mark in the world
Il forced laugh, but felt hot and cold
all over
"'Do you remember him. proceeded
Mill. He remembers you wonderfully
lessness. L believe there was lad of that
name in the class with me, but I've almost
forgotten him. It's-it's long time ago.
'Hyocrite that | wasl Did John Mill
know that was lying? He looked at me
for some moments with an amused smile,
as if he were calling up some queer remin-
iscence; and II could have Drained him.
Some little time after that John and l fell
IL SIC II,
History of Civilization | handled the
same book next quarter and turned Mills
arguments inside out in no very compli-
mentary fashion. Mill was sensitive man,
and awhile after that he cut me dead in the
street. We made it up afterward, but
were never the same as before Till the
day of his death never gave him any ex-
PLANTATION. | cared no more for Buckle or
his arguments than for that fly On the
WALL Buckle, indeed-the poor, silly, over
crammed Cockney gowkl The real cause
of my attack on John Mill was anger and
irritation. Sandie Macpherson, again, was
at the bottom of it ALL
"A year or so after this went down to
Glasgow on business. By that time had
made name for myself and my visit
caused stir in the city. Istaid with the
lord prevost-a silly man, with a Singer
ing taste for philosophy. After few days
grew very weary of being honized, for
nearly every day there was grand dinner,
and was bored to death with the admira-
ton of daft folk OF both sexes. One fore
noon as | was wandering about the streets
looking at the old houses and calling to
mind the places | had known when lad,
passed down the Gallowsgate and saw
the name of Alexander Macpherson over
a small grocer's shop. Now, | was in
sympathetic mood that day; the contem-
plation of old scenes and the thought of
the kindness of my countrymen had
touched my heart, and it melted suddenly
at the name of my old schoolfellow. Could
it possibly be the sames Before knew
what was doing had entered the shop.
YES, was right. There, standing be-
hind the counter, was Sandie himself.
older, grimmer, but neat and clean as
usual. AS entered he was measuring out
a pound of sugar for barefooted servant
lassie in petticoat and short gown.
Mr.. Macpherson said when he had
done
He looked up and our eyes met. I saw
in moment that he recognized me, but
his face remained grim as granite and his
eye was cold as ice.
""That's my name he replied.
81 smiled and prepared to hold out my
hand.
II think we were schoolmates together.
My name is Carlyle-Thomas Carlyle. Do
you mind me?
He looked at me from head to foot His /
eye rested Oh my old cloak, my broad !
brimmed hat, and he nodded darkly:
" i mind We well enough. Can l serve |
We with anything?
Nothing, thanks, only l was passing,
and thought should like to remind you
of our old acquaintanceship.'
"As l spoke Sandie proceeded leisurely
with his business behind the counter
opened his till and looked into it, took
down piece of loaf sugar and began
breaking it into small portions. He gave
sort OF grunt as finished my address to
him. Then, after a pause, while l stood
hesitating, he observed quietly, surveying /
me critically from head to foot:
YOU'RE staying up in Lunnon, hear?' |
"Yes'
You re what they call leeterary man |
nooY
Just so, l replied, smiling good ma
turedly, but feeling rather ashamed
"'Atweel. said Sandie refiectively. as he |
swept up his pieces of sugar and put them /
in a jar, 'atweel. Lannon's big place, and 7
they call it the center of ceeyilization. 1
but'-here he shut the lid of the jar sharp !!
ly-'mony things please the folk in Lunnon |
that wouldna gang doom in Glasgow
What he meant could hardly gather; |
it was a mere general reflection, but felt |
somehow that it had personal applica- !
ton. \ long pause ensued. stood swk- /