The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1897-02-27
geleft Story.
TOLD AT THE CLUB
wilDertine reters in the PittsDurg Bulletin.

We had been talking rather late at the
club one night when Edmund Van Law
came in. There were only three or four
of us there, and we hailed him warmly.
Outside, the grey mists lurked round the
windows, peering in wistfully and heighten-
ing the red glare of the fire and the sug-
gestion of good cheer within. Some zone
hastened to pour the new conner glass OF
mulled claret. He sat in low chair in
front of the fire, his fine dark eyes fixed
thoughtfully on the flames, his right hand
idly beating time to some melody appar-
emily ringing in his head. l was admir-
ing, as | always did, his very fine profile,
when he said, looking up suddenly: "Did
1 ever tell you about Presswell 2?
1t was not very clear in our minds
whether he had or not, but with one ac-
cord we shook our heads, for Edmund Van
Laws conversation usually held in itself
such charm that even twice-told tale
had its advantages.
He leaned back in his chair and laughed.
ssMost extraordinary FELLOW, that Press
well. - he said ''Strange | never told
YOU about him. Most amusing, | assure
you.
SO absolute was our confidence in him
that we all laughed-with the exception Of
Chippall, who merely looked enquiring.
II had letter from Morgan this morn
ing he went on. "You remember
Morgan; he is in Mexico now, and some
how, I have been living over again those
days in Colorado and the West, where [
grew to take life with the carelessness of a
connoisseur. Something of the charm of
it comes back to me now; the swift galop
over the prairies, the white road stretching
away, the fields of the ranches on either
side red with clover or purple with alfalfa,
or the monotonous expanse Of plain grey
with brush; the burning blue sky
above, and, far off, the mountains rising
in dark outline against the horizon. So
much for the valley, as it is called when
you get away from the mountains. But
when | drifted to Aspen, you know, it was
quite different. The place was young
then, and everything was most disagreed
bly, new | was so fortunate, however, as
to find some wanderers like myself and we
managed to quite enjoy life there, merely
as new experience though, assure you.
Our little crowd used to give champagne
suppers in our cabins, and we were not
above the little hops given in the rink; that
is, of course, with the exception of Press
well. Nobody expected him to go, any
way and, in fact, it was rather matter
of pride to the town that he wouldn't go.
The only son of wealthy family, he had
received the greater part of his education
abroad, and was, | believe, in Brussels
when the news of his fathers failure
reached him. He hastened home at once,
only to find himself absolutel y penniless,
not farthing left, you know, and most
disagreeable it must have been, too. How
ever. as he still cherished an illusion or So
he came to Colorado to spend two or three
weeks and retrieve his fortunes. My
brother will insist that Venice is the only
place absolutely fatal to illusions. l have
not agreed with him, for while the West
undoubtedly has poetry and philosophy
of its own, you must cast aside all old
theories and beliefs to learn the new.
And we can not expect the newcomer to
see at once how purple are the shadows
living heavy in some lonely gulch, or hear
with the keen ear of enjoyment the ever
moaning winds among the pines, the shrill
defiance of the saucy chipmunk or the plain
tive CRY of some turtle-dove calling to her
mate
whom never more her mate would see.'"
There was a silence, and Chippall turned
out another glass of the claret. ''And
Presswell?' he enquired. We frowned
at him. Any silence on the part of Ed
mund Van Law was part of the story,
and was 50 appreciated by us.
Van Law drank the claret "You are
really quite too good, ~ he said ''Press.
well soon found, l." he continued, ''that the
mica that glittered in the sands was only
another practical demonstration of the Ole
saw. He had the right spirit in hin
though, and he was quite willing to de
ANYTHING in the way of work. Majo
Lennon, president of one of the banks
came and offered him some kind of posi-
ton as accountant, but as Pressweil haC
never done anything of the kind he wa
really incompetent, and matters did no
run on so smoothly as could have been de
sired. He went to Major Lennon one day
you have been very kind, he said, tt
bear with me so long, but | would rathe
die cellar successfully than bungle u
your books here, so if you will please ac
cept my gratitude and permit me to work
ont my problem, as it was evidently in
tended l should, why, [ will dig the cellar.
The Major appreciated this in Presswell
and was instrumental in getting him
position to drive mules on a whim durins
J the day and clerk in the postoffice at night
He did not keep his place as driver on th'
whim. however, owing to slight difficult,
he encountered in Harvesting the mules
which rather tended to lessen the confdenc,
or his employer in him, and he actual,
did dig celler during the day. Th'
picture may have been very doleful tt