The herald., 1897-06-06

A SAD OLD AGE
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Under more favorable aspects, with
his venerable white hair and beard, in
telligent face and benignant eye, he
might easily have passed for a literary
man, scientist or college professor.
But, alas! That indelible stamp Of
greasy decay and the unmistakable odor
that enveloped him as cloud proclaim
ed that he had long since sacrificed his.
individuality and become part of the
fiotsam and jetsam that Is thrown
broadcast over this fair domain of ours.
1.-The parks mighty nice on a day like
this when the suns warmin'," he said,
lowering his stiffened limbs into one
of the seats. "Blessin's on the man who
| invented parks, it'e the one place a poor
old wreck like me can rest in without
being ordered to move on. Tell ye.
brother. this cold, rainy weather's been
hard on the old man; walked twenty
miles yesterday, and I'm about clean
done up and my shoes worn out"
what makes me tramp the country:
Because I have to or starve. 1 might
| lay around town and bum meals from
a mission and tip kegs for stale beer,
but haven't got that low down yet. 1
never stop in town longer than to rest
my weary old bones: then strike out
into the country-chances for work In
the country are two to one. and that
amt saying much for the work neither
I've Travelled from Oregon to San Diego
since last November, and this far on my
way back north. Sometimes get
ride on the cars, but mostly have to
walk. I've been Mason and Oddfellow
for thirty years. When can't get work
and am about starved out they always
help me a little.
Have 1 been long on this coast Why,
brother, blazed the way, as the only
stations between st. Joe and Portland
at the time I came through were Fort
Laramie and Hall. I paid $50 to drive
an OK team across the plains, and left
my sweetheart in Illinois, intending to
go to the California diggings, make a
little pile and then go back and marry
her.
Say, brother, do you believe there's
such a thing as special judgment on
man in this world?"
The old man shook his head sadly. 81
never went back. I made the wad all
right enough, but fell in with another
woman and married her. Finally we
settled in Portland, Oregon, and as the
| years passed became one Of the influ-
entail citizens of the town. I had
beautiful daughter that I worshiped;
| she was carefully nurtured, fine musi-
clan, lovable and pure as mountain
spring. When young man Of stainless
character, as we thought, made love 20
her and won her, we thought it splen-
did match. and rejoiced at the bright
outlook for her future. They were mer-
ried.
| Before six months had passed he de-
veloped a liking for fast horses and
faster women. At the time I knew
nothing of it, nor would have believed
it had I been told. Twice through his
smooth explanation of his affairs, was I
induced to become his surety, paid
twice, and it ruined me. The cruel end
soon came, when he fed to Canada with
one of the disreputable women with
whom he had associated
| "My daughter never smiled after that
The doctors said she died from grip but
1 know better; her heart was broke"
The old mans voice became broken,
and great tears rolled from under his
glasses, which he wiped away with a
dingy old rag.
In a trembling voice he concluded:
''They're all gone now-only the old man
left, and it won't be long before he'll get
through the struggle and rest
bid you good day, brother. All,
thank you, that's kind heart; it'll buy
new pair of shoes, and I'll venture tc
say you Invent any too much yourself"
MARION ]. KINWELL.
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