The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1897-05-01
RW0MAN5 mr. UENCE

q seconds pause. 1T seems to me you
have an opportunity to make future
for yourself. Why don't you take adj
vantage of it? do admire man who
can fight against obstacles, and who
wins for himself great name and
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. l grow Disguised with my
SELF"
1T Is just as / expected" replied
Brian, endeavoring to speak lightly.
You're strong-minded.
Thanks. l consider your remark a
compliment, though you may not mean
it as such I 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. You are laughing
again. l suppose you consider me vastly
amusing, but think myself vastly nom
sensical. There is something in the air,
dare say, or in the company" she con-
cluded mischievously.
THE company without doubt, he
agreed. Il never pretended to amount
to much, and know never shall. That
is why never considered it worth an
effort"
why not?" she asked quickly, some
instinct prompting her sympathy. You
have so much before you. 1t is never
too late to begin, neither is it ever too
early. That sounds like q paradox,
doesn't it? Your profession is an adj
vantage in itself. 1t is such noble
one"
"A dog life when 1t com es practice,
he answered. II tell you there's lot
of sentimentality 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 do Of heaven. Much
good medicine has ever done me. I've
| got my diploma. I've lugged it all over
Europe, but it hasn't seen the light of
day for many long month. l know
this don't suit your ideas, but l never
realized the need Of practicing for
living. l 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
|
worry along somehow, unless certain
event come about. Are you goings"
Yes" she returned, half absently
gathering her things together. Il am
hungry. / think it. must be twelve
O'Clock, and here in S'conset we dine at
that questionable hour.
A barbarous practice, but now that
you speak of 1t, / begin to feel some in
ward cravings myself May walk I'M
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 oae OF the grotesque
little streets, into more grotesque
Broadway, Margaret found that her APP
petite had been q true guide. 1t was
twelve o'clock, and all S'conset was go
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 heading?" instead of
l"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-
auested 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, tho
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 go to port or star
board were too obtuse to obey the order
Horses were equally trying. CON
trary to tactics on shipboard, Pun on
the port rein made the animaf sheer 10
port, when the old captain was pene on
having him go to starbe4rd
Under such difIlcultfes plowing was SLOW
work and farming decidedly discour-
aging experience.
after Brian had disposed OF the
double duty of eating and listening he
I spent some time in walking up and down
! the streets of the grim, small village,
hoping for chance encounter with
Margaret.
He came TO the old pump. reported 10
have been set In its present place In the
wear of the declaration OF American In
dependence, and feeling in duty bound,
he drank a cupful OF its delie hduiiy
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 embrasnres, odd
| wings, and sYravling proportions sup