The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-04-29


wins for himself a great name and a
high position, not because Of, but in
spite Of the accidents Of fortune. And
certainly cannot understand how any
person with ordinary talents can go
through life with no ambition above
amusement. I grow disgusted with my
SELF"
1T is just as I expected" replied
Brian, erdeavOring to speak lightly.
You're strong-minded."
Thanks. I consider your remark
compliment, though you may not mean
it as such. don't admire weak-minded
men or women. am glad to have IDEAS
Of my own, and not to be sWayed by
every passing word. lou are laughing
again. suppose you consider me vastly
amusing, but think myself vastly non
sensical. There is something IN the air.
I dare say, or in the company, she con-
cluded mischievously. So,
The company without doubt ne
agreed. Il never pretended to amount
to much, and know l never shall. inat
is why never considered 1t worm an
sWhv not?" she asked quickly, some
instinct prompting her sympathy. You
have 30 much before you. 1t is never
too late to begin, neither is it ever too
early. That sounds like paradox,
doesn't it? Your profession is an ad-
vantage in itself. It is such noble
one."
"A dogs life when 1t comes to practice, !"
he answered. Il tell you there's lot
of sentimentalfty in the world. People
talk about this thing and that thing be-
ing ennobling and elevating, and all
that nonsense, when they know about
as much Of it as I do Of heaven. Much
good medicine has ever done me. I've
got my diploma. I've lugged 1t all over
Europe, but it hasn't seen the light OF
day for many long month. I know
this don't suit your ideas, but I never
realized the need Of practicing for o
living. I expected to be independent,
and where was the need?"
But now?" questioned Margaret.
"Oh, now, my beloved cousin has
stepped in and I'm as poor as the devil.
beg your pardon. The words are
forcible but expressive. The feeling Is
wretched, but the experience worse. Ill
worry along somehow, unless certain
event come about. Are you goingT
Yes" she returned, half absently
gathering her things together. Il am
hungry. I think it must be twelve
o'clock, and here in S'coDset we dine at
that questionable hour"
"A barbarous practice, but now that
you speak OF it, begin to feel some in
ward cravings myself. May I walk un-
der the shadow Of your wing?"
Without awaiting her permission he
possessed himself of her shawl and
trudged by her side through the deep
sand to the village.
Turning from one Of the grotesque
little streets, into a more grotesque
Broadway, Margaret found that her ap-
petite had been a true guide. 1t was
twelve o'clock, and all S'conset was 60
ing to dinner. This pleasant duty
S'conset never forgot, it being one OF
the unwritten, yet faithfully observed,
laws Of the small town that, whatever
the individuals occupation at the mo-
ment, the stroke Of twelve should find
him ready, and all ideas gave way to the
reality-dinner.
After leaving Margaret Brian found
his own appetite had increased to an
alarming extent, and he very gladly be-
took himself to his unpretentious abode
and the meal awaiting him.
He did full justice to the latter, and
at the same time managed to take in
the history Of Captain Folger's eight
brothers and sisters, all Of whom had
reached their eightieth year and were
still in the land of the living. AS he
showed some skepticism on this latter
point, the Captain proposed cruise to
town, where the house in which they
were all born should be pointed out to
him. 1t is needless to say Brian was
still unconvinced. He afterward dis
covered that town meant Nantucket,
and cruise was the Captains word for
ride.
These old seamen DO not take kindly
to the expressions Of landsmen. They
will greet you with the salutation,
where are you headinq?" instead OF
Where are you going?" They. will
agree to land" milk and vegetables at
your door, and if you happen to be rid
ing with an old captain you may be re-
Quested to shift your seat fore or aft,
or midship, or to sit to the leeward, as
the case may be. 1t is even said,
though we are not bound to believe it,
that when the whaling industry failed
through the discovery Of coal oil, the
old salts, obliged through necessity and
not choice, to take to farming, en-
countered much difficulty from the fact
that their oxen were land animals, and
when commanded to 60 to port or star
board were too obtuse to obey the order.
Horses were equally trying. Con-
trary to tactics on shipboard, a pull on
the port rein made the animal sheer to
port, when the old captain was bent on
having him 60 to starboard.
Under such difficulties plowing was slow
work and farming decidedly discour.
aging experience.
After Brian had disposed Of the
double duty OF eating and listening he
spent some time in walking up ard down
the streets of the grim, small village,
hoping for O chance encounter with
Margaret.
He came to the old pump, reported to
have been set in it's present place In the
year of the declaration Of American in.
dependence, and feeling in duty bound,
he drank cupful Of its delightfully."-
cold water. Still, not seeing Margaret,
he determined to improve his hours OF
waiting by observing the cottages around
him.
Mathematical accuracy had not been
considered in their erection. Their
slanting roofs, curious embrasures, odd
wings, and sarawliaG proportions, sup
plemented by grotesque ornamentation
In the nature Of nameboards OF ships,
fantastic scroll work from unknown