The state herald., 1893-09-29

MIBne FurnSn the Ihom0 Tor Novel
or Play.
Many things-facts-which have
come to my knowledge, some of
which have been proposed as the
basis OF fiction, are too unreal, too
improbable to use in stories. People
would exclaim: "Ridiouloas! As II
such things could happen! | DO wish
that authors would Keep to Incidents
halfway practical and not ask US to
swallow such myths and fables"
Another is left with two young sons,
widowed, and with small means OF
support She is d refined, a good
Christian woman; yet she has a
Weakness in her otherwise strong
charactor--her idolatry of her
younger son. From their earliest in
fancy it was John. tho elder, who
must take the hardest knocks, the
disagreenble tasks, SO that Eugene
might be happy. At school and
when the two must face the world to
earn u living it was still tho same.
Though there was less than two
years between them. John was al
ways treated as much the elder md
gradually came to feel that he was
many years older and stronger than
Eugene, and far from resenting his
mothers preference and Eugere's
selfishness. he made IL the business
of his life to guard and shield both
mother and brother. Finally Eugene
went away from home, having
eagerly accepted q promising posi-
tion, leaving John still plodding
along faithfully in his rank. Then
came the romance OF Johns lie. He
met and loved most beautiful young
girl. She returned it. and as she had
snug little fortune of hor own
John decided that he might in
dulge in marriage. The months
and years that followed sound like
the ideal of happiness. Eloise was
loving and talented and both John
and Johns mother were devoted to
her. The only shadow in this para.
disc were accounts by no means en-
couraging from Eugene. John kept
it from his mother and denied him
self everything to send money to
his prohigate brother And then
Eugene came home i'll and Eloisc and
his mother nursei him back to
health. Again he left home. Ore
day Eloise went cut for walk They
lived in little home at the edge OF
town. She wandered on and on into
the woods trying to shake of u pre-.
sentiment of evil, US shown by her
diary. When hours passed and she
did not return John and his mother
searched for her. Suddenly they
came upon her lying still and cold
upon the grass, while bending over
her was tall, handsome man, utter
ing passionate cries. As he turned
the mother gave scream OF agony
II was Eugene. al killed her. John;
| killed her. but | was mad from
drink. Such a beautiful creature.
never meant IL. So pure; so good. ~
lie gave loud cry and ran back into
tho woods.
The murdered girl was carried TO
the house by her husband. The
whole matter was hushed up. The
years went by. John never married
again. lie became moro and more
grave and silent. He was always a
faithful son and even listened with
patience to his mothers eager OK
cuses for Eugene. But Eugene was
never heard OF again, and one day
the mother died. longing for him to
tho last
A young minister came to the
countryside. bringing with him sis
ter to keep his house. This girl was
digniiicd. beautiful woman. sensi-
BILE, yet full Of humor and greatly
liked by all who knew her For years
she went IN and out among her
friends. who would have said they
knew her whole experience, yet they
were amazed to find one day that she
had been married for years TO gay
young stranger who had visited the
neighborhood often. No reason was
ever known for the long secrecy. but
the marriage did not. | believe, end
happily. as might be supposed.
To-day. in n certain almshouse In a
large. well-to-do town. lives GER
tain woman once In q. comfortable
home. One by one relatives died,
and she was left destitute. and worse
still. n suffering bed-rldden invalid.
Friends helped hor. but sho fingered
long. even death seemed to disdain
her, and their love grew cold. and
one bitter, heart breaking day she
was carried to tho dreaded poor
house. Here she lives. fairly intel
ligent, puro.mlndcd Christian wo-
man. surrounded by the vilcst Ian.
guagc, filth and noise. Sho cannot
spcaK-hcr head and spine are af.
!,oted. She can only write by be.
ins turned over on her face Her
sufIcrings from disease arc constant,
her nerves unstrung from tho con-
fusion and language about hcr. Yet
she has faith In tod. lIcr only nurse
Is poor. hali-witted creature who Is
afflicted with epilepsy.
A friend has tried In vain to yet
some institution to admit her Ono
only takes those Of Its own city;
a