The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1893-10-26

lES without cheer
fnl expression
on his face, and, although he was not
at oil brilliant, his conversation was
go thoroughly in keeping with his
countenance that almost any one was
glad to exchange few words with
him. Some young men, when they
heard Percival's praises sounded by
young women, insisted that they could
be quite as agreeable and light hearted
as the popular youth had they moth
ing to do but enjoy life and spend the
money that II busy father had saved
for nh only son. Probably they were
mistaken, for Percival was not the only
young man in New York who had
plenty of money and no business oc-
cupation, yet some of the others looked
quite as dull and unhappy as the poor
est people they met on the street.
Nothing, though, in this imperfect
world seems quite rs il should be, 80
there was a drawback to the entire en-.
ioyment of any one who sought Per-
cival Wareley's society, and who were
willing to help him spend his money.
1t was the young mans closest friend,
MIR. Henry brock. This person was
at least fifteen years the senior of
young Wareley, who was only twenty
four, and he took all the pleasures of
the rich so calmly that people won.
dered if he enjoyed them Mt all.
Yet Percival seemed fonder of him
than of any other man and took him
wherever he went, introducing him
nto society and proposing HIM at clubs
as il there was no doubt that others
would enjoy Mr.. Drock's society quite
as much as Perciyal himself. People
will stand great deal from young
men who are rich MS well ms agreeable.
so Drock was endured politely, some
middle-aged people remarking that
there was 100 times as much to him ms
to Percival himself, for the fellow
seemed entirely sensible, and could
talk fairly well upon the affairs of the
day, whereas Percival's interest in any,
thing which did not produce amuse.
ment in large quantities were limited
Meanwhile, that Drock reciprocated
his young friends regard could not he
doubted for an instant. No matter
how uninteresting anything might
seem to the older man, his eye never
rested upon Percival without display.
ing an active and honest fondness
Some people were mean enough TO
suggest that Drock's regard was that
of well-kept dog, and for the same
reason; but Percival had insisted at
one time, when conversation CHANGED
TO be about his friend, that Drock was
one of the hardest men in the world
to do favor to, for his tastes were
few and his means ample.
Young women of the class that saws
anything that comes to mind had OK
pended much curiosity and some aues-
tions upon the couple, but all they
learned was that brock had known his
young friend from early boyhood, and
always liked him; he had first met
him iii the town where Perciyal's 3
father had found wife, and where the
family spent q month or two of every
year. He said he never had met "A
better r-natured, more open-hearted
young man, and, such qualities being
scarce, he liked and respected them
accordingly. 1t did him (Drock) a lot
OF good to see q young person enjoy
life so heartily and persistently, in
stead Of turning against il on being
satiated with pleasure, and he thought
1t did men good, anyway, to be some
times in the society of men younger
than themselves.
Drock evidently meant all he said,
but his fondness for Percival did not
meet the approval of some men and
women who wanted Percival to become
fond of them. Young and impression.
able men who are rich in their own
right and scarce in any society, so
there were handsome women some
years older and hundred times
smarter than Percival Wareley who
would gladly have married the young
man for his money.
Likewise there were scores of men,
young and old, who would have given
their very souls to coax the youth and
his money into business with them.
even If their highest ideal of business
was to get ahead of the bookmakers at
the race tracks, or to try some "sys-
tenn" on the proprietors of other gam
bling establishments. But Drock was
always in the way; he never talked
business himself aud seemed TO have
no business training.
To see Porcival without Drock was
next 10 impossible, for the two men