The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1895-07-25

Tompkins subsequently made a million or
two by singularly soulless operation in
railway shares. / have never blamed him
for his CONSCIOUSNESS greed, as attribute it
20 the food, or substitute for food. his early
poverty compelled him TO employ in the
effort 10 keep body and soul together
/ simply think he failed in his object
As has been already told, it was on the
steps at Mrs. Tautou's that / first met
Gavan. 1t WAS not long until he gave me
bis complete confidence and | was permitted
TO know his aims and ambitions.
lie desired 10 write plays and TO dispose of
those be had already written.
IL became his custom 10 make nightly re-
ports 10 me, when we would be alone in his
room of an evening, giving me detailed ac-
counts of his doings, and came TO know
what actor or manager had promised to read
his work.
lie was very young, and his appearance so
youthful it must have told against him.
! think 1T prevented his being taken seri-
ouslv.
When the people he wished TO reach were
kind and cOnsiderate. il was because they
were amused and regarded the " hole thing
as joke. ] do not question but that it con-
demped him unheard in the minds of most
In any event his plays were being re-
turned TO him with almost every mail ac-
companied by letters more or less encourag-
ing, as they reflected various degrees Of
kindliDess on the writer's part
j had not known him for many months
before was aware of change. His face
were an anxious, troabled look, but he re-
tanned his cheerfulness, which was, however
more habit than condition of thought
/ knew that he was wretcbediy lonely and
that disappointment came to end each hope
he dared indulge in.
| 1t was a mighty step from the sleepy lit
tie Southern town where he had lived, 10
| New York, with its supreme indifference to
| so small unit IN the struggling mass.
| Wlth his grave, earnest eyes which were
almost pathetic in their seriousness. and the
face that the days of waiting had stamped
with lines markings of the hand that was
empty for him-he was only one of many.
As he told me Of his purpose and his am
bitOn, so also in course of time he told me
( his private affairs.
Ills mother was an invalid, his father had
long been dead, and they were very poor.
This bit Of information he impaired with
the utmost reluctance. / guessed it with
out the telling as no one unless there was
! the grim incentive Of pressing poverty ever
braved the terrors Of lile at Mrs. Tauton's.
Little by little he told me of his mother,
and 1 saw that love for her was the one
strong passion Of bis heart. She lived
none too happily-with relatives in the
town that had been the home Of his family
for great many generations.
He used to talk to me of her for hours at
a stretch, and j never wearied listening.
There was, felt, a decided moral elevation 10
be derived from hearing him plan for her. He
seldom or never spoke Of what he would dc
for himself when he should achieve success
IL was his mother who was TO profit by il.
One night he came into my room and
dropped dejectedly down on the edge OF the
bed that answered all purposes OF q chair
when not IN actual use as a couch.
What is it, Gagan?" / asked
Nothing much. Only L am thinking