The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-03-21
SYNOPSIS.

z SYNOPSIS.
"Our learned fellow-townsman" Is the
title given to Percy Marfleet by the local
newspaper of the little English town In
which he lives. He has been educated at
Cambridge comes back from the uni.
versity, and settles down in the place OF
his birth to continue certain HISTORICAL
studies which give him leading: position
These studies he keeps up for several
years. and he makes copiOus notes for u
historical work of Importance, but atter
he reaches his thirtieth year he gradually
drops his work, although he conceals this
fact from his friends. He becomes
prominent figure in all local literary and
social matters. He gradually lives out nus
small patrimony. and at thirty.eight mas
himself almost at the end of his financial
resources. Meanwhile he has become IN
terested in f,veline Cloud, the daughter
of u local political magnate, and an heir-
ess. She is similarly situated-haS peen
educated at Girton and leads in all char
itable and religious organizations. Iheir
friends observe their mutual interests
and intimacy, but the possibility OF mar
riage seems remote TO Marfieet, IN view oi
his failing fortunes. Miss Cloud one day
casually suggests that ne write out some
of his historical work in the shape OF
articles for the periodicals. lie Is taken
with the idea, devotes several weeks 10
one and sends 1t to a leading magazine.
He tells Miss Cloud. who is delighted. she
goes away for q long visit ana just ne
fore her return Marieet receives back MS
hrticle which had been rejected. lie Is
greatly discouraged and forms resolve.
PART II.
While he still had a little money left
ne would go to London, and there, as
a literary man at anyone's disposal,
face the struggle for existence.
No need to make known his inten-
tion to the old friends. His departure
should be explained as temporary
removal to London for purposes of
study. In month or so he could
write that circumstances obliged him
To stay in town for an indefinite period;
his library should be sent up as If for
use, but really for sale; and the house
there would be no difficulty in letting
for some fifty pounds year-just
enough. If the worst came to the worst,
to save him from destitution. OF course.
he must break the habits and the con-
nections of lifetime: unless he We're
so fortunate as to establish himself in
a decent literary career, of which he
had painfully little hope. The prob
ability was that he would come to be
thankful for hack work at the British
museum, such as he himself had Occa-
sionally employed u peor devil to" do,
ere yet the day OF evil dawned on his
life.
The resolve taken he bor, up man.
fully. All he had to do before actual
ly leaving the town was to go through
his papers, destroying and packing
and meanwhile to wear the accus-
toned face. Not Il soul suspected him.
He even took the chair at the annual
meeting of the literary society. and
made a speech which was considered
brilliant. Not the faintest hint that
he might be obliged to sever his con-
nection with this and other local Or
ganizations. Two days later "our
learned fellow tOwnsman" was report
ed as usual in the borough press. with
wonted encomium: and Marfleet
smiled dolefully as he glanced at the
familiar column.
He knew the day of Miss Clouds
return: the day before would see his
departure. To meet her. and answer
questions about his historical essay,
was humiliation he could not endure.
Doubtless she had mentioned the mat
ter to other people, and this disaster
alone would have been all but sufficient
to drive him into exile. How foolish
to have spoken of his attempt! But it
was all one now. On the last day he
sat hour after hour in his study. totally
linoccupied, his mind miserable
blank: he sat till late at night. and
on going to bed had but snatches of
unrefreshing sleeD. Early next morn
Ing. when only the humber classes of
the toWnSfOlk were about q cab con-
veyed him to the station. His servants
understood that he would be away for
Two or three weekS-nOthing more
When the moment came fro breaking
up the. establishment, he must rely
upon his sister. or her husband, resi-
Il fTa,rt -
act the necessary business for him.
Before mid day he arrived in London,
and went first of all to hotel where
he was known; but before nightfall. he
had searched for and settled upon a
lodging; modest, as befitted his humble
prospects. The address, however, was
not such as would excite surprise when
communicated to his friends.
Oddly enough. the next day brought
him an access of cheerful.even sanguine
spirits Though late in December, the
weather was remarkably bright: he
walked about. the streets with u revival
of bodily vigor and saw his position
from quite a changed point of view.
After all. was not this supposed calami-
ty the very best thing that could have
befallen him? Down yonder he was
merely rusting, sinking into premature
old age; here, lin streaming London's
ceutTut roar, HIS energies would rise
to the demand upon them. Pooh! as
If such man as he could not make a
place for himself in literary life! There
were at least two or three old college
friends with whom he might renew in
timacy--men pretty well to the front in
various callings, and more likely than
not able to be of use to him. He had
done most 1unwisely in neglecting those
early acquaintances. Maybe saw it
now-he ought never to have made his
home in that dull little country town,
where ignorant flattery and facile tri-
umphs fOstered all the weaknesses of
his temperament. Heaven be thanked,
he was not yet forty, and his resources
would last till he had got an independ-
ent footing Ho. no! How many a
poor devil would be glad to exchange
positions with him
This mood lasted for about week: a
long time. considering that Marheet
lived alone in lodgings. and permitted
his landlady to supply him with meals.
but he was sustained by the renewal of
j acquaintances with two of those old
friends of his, who really seemed quite
glad to meet him again. and asked him
to dinner. and talked as men do whom
the world has provided with store of
goods To these men he by no means
revealed the truth, but fell into their