St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1892-06-23
Srlrrfrn Story
A JOURNALISTIC HACK.

was taking an unwise step for so
Young a man whose bank account
was vet unborn and whose profess
sion Journalism was so capricious
But when they met his wife they
understood and pardoned his unwis-
dom.
When his first child appeared on
the scene he did more audacious
thing.
That ends lodging-house exist
ence,' he said. "I'll quit Bohemia,
and get home for me and mine"
And he bought neat little place
not far up town, and furnished it ION
time binding himself to make
weekly payments on the furniture
and semi-annual ones on the house.
He's acquired a stock of worri-
ment to last him the rest of his
days" remarked Boyce, reporter,
to pay for floor full of furniture on
the installment plan, and finally be-
held 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
small sunlit way, which was marked
in due time by the birth of second
baby, boy.
Still Corson managed to increase
the attractiveness of his home and
make his payments with little over
work. His regular employment as
exchange editor of newspaper, his
vivacious articles on theatrical sub
jects in two weekly periodicals, his
rarely accepted magazine contribu-
tions, his occasional sketches pub
lished here and there, his royalty for
two sensational melodramas and a
farce on tour, his odds and ends,
kept his receipts about even with his
expenses, and he did not worry He
was young and his nature buovant.
His wife was of similar disposition.
He confded to me an idea which
he intended to embody in a novel
entitled "a Brave Surrender" a con-
ceit that would surely win celebrity
for any man that would treat it ar
tistically. why don't you begin it
now ," l asked
'Oh, | haven't time yet to do any
thing that isn't sure to bear pecun-
iary fruit at once. l can't wait for
late harvest. The thing would
probably give me standing with lit
erarv people and magazine editors
and would lead to laurels, perhaps.
But for itself there isn't the money in
it there is in the sort of rot I'm
doing now"
Although he deferred the bringing
forth Of iS rreot I, oI,o,
ished it fondly, and its anticipated
event was his dream. Even at that
time l deemed Corson hero-one of
merousin these days of apparent lit
his talents some day was his life am
home of his wife and children was his
self-appointed preliminary task.
The sudden killing of Harkell, the
artist, in railroad accident, was
like flash of lightning to Corson.
When he heard of it a horrible awak-
ening showed in his blue eyes.
ga man never knows what may
happen to him." he said in a low
voice. could easily read that he
was thinking: Had L been on that
trainl Debt still hanging over the
home! Blanche and the babies!" he
added aloud: "I'll write to that life
insurance man to call tomorrow"
Three days later-it was on Sun
day. dined at his house. His little
wife was charming hostess-con-
tentment and gayety personifed.
The children reflected her brown eyes
and her anna ability Their home was
that of an art lover made so with
such economy as woman's ingenuity
makes easy. We had a merry after
noon. When left at evening Cor
son walked with me to the corner
We stopped beneath an electric light.
How happy you ought to be, my
boy" l said.
Yes" he replied quietly.
But you work too much Surely
you can afford to reduce the pres
sure a few pounds
mo. found out yesterday that l
must increase it."
His soft eyes met mine There was
a hidden sadness there, and his face
was without its wonted animal ton.
The electric light gave it an almost
CHASTITY look.
What do you mean?" I asked.
Simply this. They won't insure
my life They found have consump-
ton and also liability to valvular
LESSONS of the heart. Whether l ex-
ert myself or not the doctor won't
give me more than four years to
live in. BY loafing l might gain a
few months but, couldn't clear the
house of the debt. l can pay it of
IN nine months IF hustle 7 Shan,t
know a moments rest until do. II
there's nothing else you know,
when I'm gone, Blanche and the
youngsters can let the upper stories
and live on the rent