The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1893-01-21
AMAD0.

had not seen Sawyer-"Cal," as we
called him-since we parted at Harvard
upon commencement day. when. full Of
fervor and fine class punch of 81. we
swore to keep one another in sight.
Cal went home and into leather. and
1 to n desk in Wall street. Now, five
years later, had almost run over my
old college mate in my nightly mad rush
for the /. seized him by the arm and
bore him along, postponing apologies
until had him packed into my little
mp town fiat and introduced 80 my wife.
who was the dearest woman ON earth to
me still, and who knew could comfort
and console the tall Californian as
could not. for | had already discovered
that Sawyer had come east I'm pursuit of
the einige Weihliche.
When dinner was over my wife slipped
away to see if the baby was really sleep
ing as only such "bald headed tyrants"
can, leaving us unnecessary and ire
spousible men smoking and reminiscenc-
ing in my den Of by 8.
Suddenly n blow ON the door startled
Sawyer almost out of his chair
His majesty wishes TO come in"
said, rising and opening the door
"What a magnificent brute!' exclaim-
ed Sawyer.
Not brute, if you please, Cal, but
my friend. Amado, kindly shake hands
with my old friend here and then COM
pose yourself. You know your are
rather pervasive in a room Of this size."
Ny mastif gravely did as he was bid
and then settled himself at my side with
thud that made the things shake on
the table.
That's about the only uncivilized
thing about him" said, laughing. He
still remembers that his wild ancestors
had to make their bed in the wilderness
and crushed the tangle of vine and root
under them"
Sawyer, who was quite as much of an
animal lover as myself, llnelt down be-
side the dog, fairly running over his
points Of beauty aud of breeding-his
coat of delicate fawn, silvery on flank
and shoulder; his breadth of chest and
strength Of loin, the velvet blacl0uess of
his muZzle, the whiteness Of his teeth,
the clear brown of his eyes, the pure,
rich scarlet Of his tongue, the black
markings of the mouth and the sinewy
power of his straight. wide paws.
Where did You find such magnifi-
cent dog, You enviable fellow asked
Sawyer as he seated himself and re-
lighted his cigar,
"Dear old chum! He is getting pas
siye and rheumatic. I've owned him now
three years, and I've never yet regretted
the small fortune l had to pay to get
him from the former owner-a person
wholly unworthy to possess even q pug.
But it is for better reasons than points
or pedigree that he is beloved next to
the boy, and even ths boy can't put his
nose out of joint. He was the deus ex
machina that gave me my wife.
"Ah! That sounds interesting said
/ Sawyer. Tell me the whole story. I've
confded to you my plight, and you won't
/ find better listener"
| had never before felt the least in
/ clination to babble of my own affairs,
/ past or present, but if l could soothe and
distract the mind Of this old classmate
( that was plainly my duty. very well,
then, here goes for it. You will find it
as mild as a homeopathic pellet, but it
was interesting enough to me-" l said
this with well affected indifference, Int
was really eager TO begin.
Margaret - my wife and l had
grown up together in little town in
southern Ohio. You know the kind per-
haps-everything pastoral and religious,
all church and no chaperons-where
the boys and girls were allowed the ut
most liberty, liberty, it must be ad-
mitted, they did not abuse, but used and
enjoyed with a sort of sturdy sanity and
self respect impossible in this sophisti-
Gated, crowded city of conventionalities.
We-she and Lived side by side aud
held long and confidential conversations
over the stiff, green wire fence that sep
arated our grape arbor from her bed Of
tea roses. / saved the last sweet frosty
bunch for her, and at the first chill hint
of winter helped her cover her roses
with straw, making their tall stalks in.
to queer, angular scarecrOws for Jack
Frost's terrifying.
MY mother was a New Englander,
and the thirst for knowledge OF books
and men that smoldered in her breast
famed into power for her only son, and
80 l was sent 20 Harvard. While still a
freshman / came TO regard my native
town as the vanishing point in the per
spective of an inglorious past. With
what lofty smile should have received
the hint that the dark eyed little girl
whom | had left to tie her roses alone
might one day amply avenge all my
sights!
Il concealed my boyish delight in life
nier the most pronounced and classic
'iudifferentisn, and l wonder even now
how ever my mother could put up Will
me. Ny old friends laughed at my air.
and my reformed accent, secretly dislik
ing and envying me- naturally found
it much plc8santer to spend my vaca
tons in the soothing atmosphere Of be
ings like myself, after a brief visit 10 my
mother.
Daring these occasions l saw Mar
garet only once or twice, and Away
carried away the disturbing impres sioi
thar she was in no way impressed eithe
by my superior manners or talents. Thi
was slightly annoying, as she was IA
and away prettier than any girl Of m!
acquaintance, east or west. To he sure
had made her blush-such an exquisite
red-but it was with yexatiou. Upol
my first departure we had written on
another quite regularly, but about tn
middle of my first year l received a let
ter from her in which she professei
hupbly TO believe that her western way
were but a burden to such an exaltel
being as ] had become-and wrote IA
more. Her letters were so fresh and in
dividual that I missed them but / wa
fatuous enough TO accept her silence a
a simple hearted tribute 10 my worth.
say, Sawyer, When man is a fool hoy
many different ways he finds to show i'll
"Or when he is in lover added Saw
yer ruefuly.
That stage was to come 500
enough. Along the last months Of th
year / had caught winged words her
and there regarding some not impol
sible she, spending year ia Boston
who had become a creator OF contentio
between various givers Of oolleg
spreads You were In so and q
course NOT interested. Would this sh
accept one or an Of the invitations show
cred upon herr Would she like Va
Rensselaers rooms best, filed az the