The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-12-18
BENJAMIN AND ELIJAH.
THEY AGREE THAT AFTER An
"REPUBLICS IRE UNGR4TEFTL.,
The King and His Jester Muse Upon
Present Griefs and the Forebod-
ings of Future Sorrow.
IIMEs BUREAU. RAPLEY BUILDING.
WASHINGTON. Dec. II 18g3


The dreary, ceaseless, sobbng rain was
falling upon the White House. and the fit
T.. guess Of wind whistled about the caves
and now relapsed into a mournfm dlrge
nm9us the stone pillars at the arcbw,v.
u was just at nightfall, and the lighted
lamps along the streets were wreathcd
N iAe darkness 10y a misty circle like th1t
sometimes about the moon when tie clouds
qua, iiesage stern are gathering about
H. Lliah Halford sat nc the window. peer
ls GU, into the gloom, watching through
' iriiiess branches Of the intervening
'' l-r closely wrapped pedestrians who
t-~ with hurrying feet, shelter from
.' Letment night. His left arm was
,'''"u over the back Of his chair. and with
as Hg-t hand ne drummed listlessly upon
e' window pane, or followed with his
h..e.s the course Of the raindrops that
t---I down the glass on the outer side
aAr occasional banging Of the front door
,s9W and the rapid steps across the mar
U'' porch, told him Of the departing clerks
ga secretaries, but no movement Of his
'-e'e1'ed that he thought at all Of their
uttNilure. His thoughts were of the time
g. Hateful hour. when he should leave that |
'4'Aoned chair and resume the cane-bot- !
ui4ed one he left upstairs in the newspaper |
VA.e at indianapolis. He thought of that |
Iole al lunch hour, crowned with fragrant
movers and filed 10y hands long skilled
70 divine some dish stranger TO safety.
.dI no thought Of the dairy mnch-room MI
A.iAe, with It's long array Of indigestible
l'''' ana us hugh pile Cf rustic dough-
nus and its apology for milk and for cot
!.e aud he chased another raindrop down
,'f pane. He thought Of the letters. The
t~ily breakfast hour when, with a silver
ll'A-lel paper knife. he broke the seals
w u4llty notes that Invitations bore 10
','D IN society and feast at the beard OF
1'F'aluers, and he thought Of another
-l'i al home when tearing OF the end OF
- envelope be found the composing
r h.. report with endless gallcys to measure
NJ ~I check, with bills for paper and for
With pleas for remittances from cor }
H.. -lents at Jasper Aurora, Blunton and J
a. bend, and he chased another rain q
" down the pane.
a andy hand was laid upOn his shoul- /
~ aud subdued voice spoke INFO his nm. 4
l....i lace 'Lige, what are you thinking a
4. al. nothing! that is. almost nothing now t,
't President" '0"'
wen, Lige, It Is certainly n eJoomv al
&C. '11noiy kind OF "A night don't you saw -
l SIR words well chosen; il is gloomy. l.
.'.. "r. mighty gloomy" and he chased ne
..i faindrop down the pane. Ia
, eo' came over 10 see II you would
0oue and sit awhile with me- / ann Pi
. le tonight, and IL don't seem like yc
y lave as much company as we used To-
la'2 SIR We do not have, but ii Is not IN,
l,ia ~ popularity ! know II Is just that /
.g ,,su 0 80 busy' so busy thinking what
M VIII do next year" and he chased
CT F1indrop down the pane.
IA Nse' and across the hall they 10
d A half hour later another silence /
s'V"hg burdensome. Elijah sat IN Tn
,, cushioned chair and gazed IN reverle In
H. sNe uyihg embers in the CRATE. and III
- upon the couch with hands clasped res
tba hs mead, lay his chief, as IL count pel
'-s '3f'coiored dots upon the ceiling. De,