Abilene weekly reflector., 1895-10-31

~ lcnRtn Nhltcr WubHcdIu oouioahiuB
the let-up in trade. Perhaps there
was not such a serious slump in his
line, after all, and he had simply
caught the calamity note from otheri
it is SO quick to spread. Anyway,
the popcorn boys face grew more de-
spairing, his tones more mournful.
Often he was seen shivering In the
chill air and making figures with a
stub OF pencil in the pocket ledger.
He was making comparisons with
sales the day before, the week before
and a year back. lie had heard some
OF the merchants tell how their trade
had fallen of. The comparisons were
not encouraging.
"Oh, It's dreadful" he would be
heard to wall often and again.
whats the matter, Walter2" ono Of
the boys would ask
my trades falling of like every
thing" was his rueful answer. "These
hard times will ruin me-"
lie was really In despair. The calam-
ity contagion had hold Of him. The
business aspect was as serious to him
as TO the man OF millions. His receipts
for years had never fallen below GER
tain average. To his dismay the boast
he had always made would not again
be true. II was seen that the worry
was telling on him. Never strong
looking he began to look paler and
thinner
"Oh, cheer up, Walterl" some con-
siderats bystander would say. You'll
come out all right"
II was no use. "The figures speak
for themselves" he said as he produced
the little book all filed with rude pen
cilings. "I'm falling behind-I know
am" Many merchants sitting in
their Offices In sixteen-story buildings
could sympathize with him.
Walter, the popcorn boy, was incon-
solable 1t was common remark that
he was getting worse. Each day
seemed to add to his burden ofdespair.
In all his quarter OF a century Of mer-
chandising, humble as 1t had been, he
could count on profits. The prospect
Of anything different was too much for
him.
remember the last time saw him
1t was just before the fast mail from
the west was due, shortly before two
o'clock in the afternoon Of wintry
day. Walter was standing around the
corner OF the passenger station out Of
the sweep Of the biting winds. lie
was q picture Of dependency as he
stood there silent in the sullen weather
making figures with his shaking fin
gers in the pocket memorandum.
Here 1t Is nearly two o'clock" he
moaned, "and I've taken in only nine
cents-not enough TO pay expense"
lie did not take into consideration
that home and health and good liv-
ing were ccrtainties with him what
ever might happen. lie thought only
OF his life work-thc thing that had
commanded all his time, all his encr-
ges. III don't do we'll with No. l6
shall give upl'
Two Of the boys, touched by tho tone
Of despair, tried to cheer him up by
buying half dozen sacks Of cora
apiece. lie frightened up moment
as he shook some salt on the corn and
handed it out, and then relapsed again
into dependency. The whistle Of the
mail pierced the frosty mir, and n few
seconds later the great engine was
painting at the watcr-tank. Walter
walked along the length of the train
according to his custom, but the win
dows were shut and frost-covercd and
no chcery voice cried out: Here, bring
your corn this wayl' Even his old
friends, the trainmcn, failed TO notice
the mournful figure and appealing
looks of Walter the popcorn boy.
Several who had heard his dcspairio,
words watched the course of matters
with anxiety that was almost painful.
They had hoped he would be cheered
and lifted up by brisk demand for
his goods. As the train went sbriek-
ing on its way ho was seen to set his
sad face homeward, crushed in spirit,
plunged in despair-as II mourning at
the grave of lifelong hopes--as indeed
he was,
Since that day Lake Shore passen-
gers have looked in vain for sign Of
the well-remembcred face and figure.
Tralnmen and travellers have Won
dered at the absence of the faithful
Walter, who had not failed to be there
before for quarter OF II century. lie
Is missed also from the village corners.
from his accustomed place at the organ
lever in the church choir, and some
one else now hands out the books in
the Sunday school, From his bed of
sickness, where he lies helpless from a
serious nervous and mental ailment
from which he is fated never to rise,
he sends every month verse OF con-
secration to the young peoples prayer
meeting Brave, faithful spirit The
whistle OF the incoming train reminds
him that he must take his box and 20,
and then he remembers that it cannot
bc-no, never more! Some dim con.
sciousness OF his cnfeeblcd mentality
has come to him for the first time in
the long days OF helplessncss and he is
heard to ask, sometimes at frequent in
tcrvals; "Will my other life ever come
back again?'
1t is sweet to think the answer has
long been written. Though Walter,
the popcorn boy, will never take up
his humble calling again in this world,
there is One, the help of the helpless,
who has said
"Ye have been faithful over few
things | will make you ruler over
many. Detroit Free Press.
AT the Intelligence Office. Madam,