The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1898-12-31

Howard Brummell sat that New Year.
Eve before the fire in his study in the
fremont Building. A rather pretentious
set of rooms he occupied, and awkward in
their pretentiousness. The architect evil
IDENTIFY had tried to harmonic the likeli-
hood Of physician or dentist as tenant
with the conformation of the building
There was narrow, shallow ante room, a
blind alley in fact, main apartment light
and airy, and cubby hole beyond whose
walls single bed strained
Howard had leased this set for the cur
rent year when industry and steady en-
ployment made money free with him, and
luckily the terms had been strictly in ad-
vance. Luckily, else he had been without
shelter this night, and as it was, the morrow
would find him so. The morrow, the be-
ginning Of new year, and yet the contin-
uation Of the old He was hungry, lame
and penniless; would not hunger, hurt and
poverty still remain with him? Howard
smiled at his wastefulness as he heaped
wood on the hearth. How prodigal he
was OF his only possession and yet he could
not we'll take it away with him, though
there would be an appropriate similitude to
a martyr bearing the fagots of his DOOM
''Well, well, pile on the fuel, for while
there was light and heat there was comfort
But little beyond lay ashes and cold and
privation; yet the dancing sparks thought
naught OF those ashes; why, then, should
he anticipate that cold and privation
After all, he had done nothing wrong
Man might condemn, but surely God
would not disapprove. He had struggled,
and had failed. Since that day, two years
before, when his college course had been
so abruptly ended by the financial ruin and
death of his father, he had labored and
achieved. Achieved what? Not much
indeed; the payment of the debts of his
carelessness and his own support. But he
had served hard taskmaster and faith
fully, and with what reward? A dis
honorable dismissal, which had shut the
doors of every other law office in his face
He had sought employment, oh, yes;
but what chance was there in the surging
crowd of work seekers for a man disabled
from injury and hampered by such a clog ?
He had friends, oh, yes, and he meant to
keep them; therefore he had held his
troubles within himself But that very
evening he had hesitated as he had trudged |
along the street, knowing that chum Of
his better days lived in luxury few doors
away; he had hesitated until his eyes had
caught a picture displayed in an adjacent
show window; man well fed, well dressed,
arrogant of mein seated at his desk;
tremulous, covering, poverty stricken
wretch standing beside him, with hand
extended. That was all, but that was
enough. Howard Brummell has returned |
to his rooms, and in the luxury Of the fire
was striving to ignore the necessity for
food.
But he could not feel bitter; oh no, not
while the touch of that kiss fingered on his
| lips; not while the blessing of those eyes
warmed his heart. To think of it Was
there ever a happening so fortunate, So
wonderful? He had saved from an awful
death that sweet girl whom when unknown
he had dared to watch, to adore. Had |
she ever been conscious of his furtive wor-
ship? Once and again her eyes had turned
inquiringly toward him as if asking what
it was that he asked. And then he had
learned that that Western millionaire,
whose name was so great in his employers S
office, was her father, and he had desisted
from even such far away worship. He
was no fortune seeker; the girl was as far
removed from him as daughters of God
where from sons of men; as a daughter of
God he would remember her. But fate
had been more kindly than his principals;
he had saved her life; she had kissed him.
Die fire, comes ashes and cold and priva-
ton ! He was we'll content; he had lived
indeed
Perhaps the blessing of that glance
which fingered in his heart retained sooth-
ing tranquility; perhaps the thought of
his service and suffering brought the re-
compence of rest; certain it was that as
Howard Brummell unused he grew drowsy,
until fitful shadows encompassed him about,
until the sparks vanished and the blaze re-
treated, and he slept. He did not hear a
rap on the door, nor light steps, nor whis
pered suggestions, but when heavy hand
was laid on his shoulder he started and
saw before him an old man with frank,
honest face deeply lined by endurance
''Excuse me, young man, -" the stranger
said, ''but your door was ajar and that
CHEEKY fire inviting. Do you mind if [
warm myself bit before it p
''Indeed you re welcome, responded
Howard as he rolled up an armchair and
stirred the Goals.
II thank ye kindly said his guest
- 'Tis bitter cold the night Well, the
sun of the new year will be shining to-
morrow Thank God for the hope it al
ways brings. y
ats the same old sun, mused How
ard gloomily, land the same old year.
''Don' you believe it young man. I've
spent many weary year of hardship in
Western mining camp, with comrades no
better off. But tell you on New Year
Eve we didn nope nor grumble. There
was many song and many toast of
''Here's better luck, y and the boys would
shout It's always New Year ! and find
deal of comfort in the hope. Don't you
forget it eff you We down in the mouth.
But I was looking for a young lawyer
named Howard Brummel. Can ye tell
me where to find him p
81 am he.
"Hum So Well, now | was re-
mommended to you as likely person for
my wants You see, in one of those New
Years out there ] struck luck and struck
it rich Consequently have heap of
matters can't attend to, letters and ad-
verse claims and investments, and what
not; and need private secretary with
some knowledge of the law. I've heerd
that you could fill the BILL What dye
think p