The Republican., 1895-10-03

Thus the monotonouS tenor OF Wal
ter the popcorn boys life went on till
the fall of 1894, when the baaeful in
huence of the panic first became ap-
parent in the village. No matter how
banks might tremble and fall and
capital take alarm, no one would think
that the sale OF popcorn and apples
would be affected But they were, for
at length Walter was heard bemoaning
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 others,
1t 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 Il pencil in the pocket ledger,
He was making comparisons with
sales the day before, the week before
and year back. He had heard some
of the merchants tell how their trade
had fallen off The comparisons were
"Oh, it's dreadful" he would be
heard to wall often and again.
Whats the matter, Walter?" one of
the boys would ask
MY trades falling off like every
thing" was his rueful answer These
hard times will ruin me-"
He vas 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. 1t was seen that the worry
was telling on him. Never strong
! looking, he began to look paler and
thinner.
siderate byStander would say. You'll
come out all right
1t was no use. The figures speak
for themselves, he said as he produced
the little book all filled 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-
SOAobiC' was IGIldEh lHdJ
he was getting worse. Each day
seemed to add to his burden of despair.
In all his quarter OF a century of ner-
chandising, humble as it had been, he
could count on profits. The prospect
of nything different was too much for
him.
l 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 a wintry
day. Walter was standing around the
corner of the passenger station out of
the sweep of the biting winds He
was picture of dependency as he
stood there silent in the sullen weather,
making figures with his shaking fin
gers IN the pocket memorandum.
Here it is nearly two O'clock" he
moaned, "and I've taken in only nine
cents-not enough to pay expenses"
He did not take into consideration
that home and health and a good liv-
ing were certainties with him what
ever might happen. He thought.only
of his life work-the thing that had
commanded all his time. all his ener-
gies. IF don't do we'll with No. Is
shall give up"
Two of the boys, touched by the tone
of despair, tried to cheer him up by
buying half a dozen sacks of corn
apiece. He frightened up a 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 air, and few
seconds later the great engine was
painting at the water tank Walter
walked along the length of the train
according to his custom but the win
dows were shut and frost-covered and
no CHEEKY voice cried ont: Here bring
your corn this way" Even his old
friends, the trainmen, failed to notice
the mournful figure and appealing
looks of Walter, the popcorn Doy.
Several who had heard his despairing
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 shrek
ing on its way he was seen to set his
sad face homeward, crushed in spirit,
plunged in despair-as if 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-remembered face and figure.
Trainmen and travellers have won
dered at the absence of the faithful
Walter, who had not failed to be there
before for quarter of a century. He
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 ms box and go.
and then he remembers that it cannot
be--no never more! Some dim con-
| sciousness OF his enfeebled mentality
has come to him for the first time in
the long days of helplessness and he is
heard to ask, sometimes at frequent in.