The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1893-07-29
A REUNION.
The Strange Meeting Of Two Old
Time Friends.

little town on q miserable day in No
vember two men sat by a small wood
fire warming their hands at the tiny
blaze and silently watching the flicker
of the flames. They were both young
men; the elder was not more than twen-
ty-six or seven and the younger was
perhaps q year behind.
One of them was plain Charlie o.
borne; the other rejoiced in the more
aristocratic sobriquet of Eustace Mar
graf. But it mattered little by what
different names they were called, since
fortune had forgotten to call on both
alike. In short, they were "broke'-
almost STONY broke" There had been
q lockout at the works at which they
were both employed, and although
they had neither of them joined the
combination they were none the less
out of Job. and the fact of their for
mer employment at the works that had
locked them out told heavily against
their chance of procuring other work
in town.
Neither was there much likelihood of
their going back to the works, for the
owners were rich men who could afford
long struggle, and the men were OBJ
stinate; and, even If the strikers ever
got back, Osborne and Margraf were in
the awkward position of being black
legs. Thus it was that Fortune had
forgotten these two young men who sat
by their little fire, doggedly silent, two
low-hearted to even curse fortune.
II shall go to London, Charlie" said
the elder, suddenly, without looking
up.
'What shall we do there?" growled
the other. Osborne and Margraf had
been more inseparable than brothers
since the death of each of their parents
ten years ago. Therefore it was that,
when the latter announced his inten-
ton Of going to London. the former in
stantly assumed his own share in the
venture, and asked:
what shall we do in London?'
Don't know till 1 get there" an
swered Margraf, who, be 1t observed,
did not encourage the first person
plural. First person singular was q
good deal more in his line. Yet he
loved his chum, too, in his way; but it
was not the best way.
whats the use of going, then?"
whats the use of staying in this
show? What's the use of tramping
round day and night after job that
never comes? What's the use of any
thing? I'm tired of mill work; It isn't
what I was made for. I'm going to
try my luck At something better. You
needn't come"
But because Charlie Osborne was ac-
customed to be led by his comrade, he
too gave out his intention to try his
fortunes in London. This was not
quite what Margraf wanted He evil
IDENTIFY had scheme in contemplation
In which he would prefer to be alone.
"I'll tell you what, Charlie, old fell
low" he said, after awhile. ''Pve got a
plan wa mt you to help carry out.
want you and me to separate for three
years-only three years-and try our
luck alone. At the end of three years
we will meet again and see how each
has got on, and divide takings."
mot see each other at alp" asked
Charlie, ruefully. His love for his chum
was OF the better kind; the second per-
SON singular species
mo, not at ALL" answered the other.
firmly, rs though he was laying down q
painful but apparent duty. mot have
any communication with each other
except in case of extreme necessity. In
that case we can put an advertisement
In the Daily Telegraph. We will make
point of always seeing that paper"
After longer demur than he was ac-
customed to raise to any scheme of Mar
grafs, however wild and chimerical.
Charlie at last let his usual submission
and vague suspicion that his compan-
ionship might be dragging Margraf
back from attaining . position more
worthy of that gentleman's talents,
get the better of him. He made q hard
fight for the privilege of exchanging
letters during the three years, but
Eustace remained obdurate. There was
to be NO communication except under
the circumstances and In the manner
PANIED Each was 70 take care to see