The true Democrat., 1898-07-23

she should discover, as was almost
certain. his present unenviable frame
of mind and its cause. So he wan
dered on down the street toward the
North river.
He scarcely knew where he was
going and did not seem to care. How
different life appears as success smiles
or fortune frowns on us! He reached
the river and on one of it's piers stood
watching the night craft plying to and
fro on its swiftly flowing bosom, bright
ly lit up by the rays of the full moon
overhead. Then he looked down on
the water as it whirled and eddied in
a quiet pool at one corner. How calm
and still it looked as if it had gladly
found rest by slipping aside from the
strong and rapid current of the main
stream.
lie looked long and earnestly, his
thoughts wandering between his pc
cuniary troubles and the apparent
tranquility of the quiet water on which
his gaze was riveted.
A thought suddenly struck him.
Wouldn't this be solution of his diff
ticultles? Why not end them and ac-
cept the rest from trouble which this
quiet pool offered? A plunge, short
struggle, a comparatively easy death,
and all would be over. No more
earthly ups and downs; no more re-
verses of fortunes and hopes of hap
piness formed only to be suddenly
dashed to the ground.
1t was one of those alluring sugges-
tlons which the watchful and willy
tempter flashes into the tempest-t tossed
brain In its moments of sorest stress
and deepest agony. The prospect of
speedy and certain release seemed so
easy that he determined to accept it.
tie flung down his hat and stick and
was preparing to plunge when his at
tentlon was suddenly arrested by the
pecklng and twirling of little bird
which had perched on his shoulder
and was thus trying to attract his at
tentiOn.
my little Dick" he said, fondly,
looking round and seeing that it was
his pet canary, which, pleased at being
recognized, Immediately hoped on his
forefinger and then burst into full
song.
Tired, frightened and hungry after
Its truant wanderings, the first person
toward whom Providence directed it
for sympathy and succor happened to
be its master.
What memories that melody awoke
OF the wife and children, happiness
and home that he had almost rashly
given up forever! Itwas the Ithuriels
spear, which at once bid the tempter
fly and made the path of duty clear.
His face first crimsoned with shame
as he thought of the cowardice and
folly of self-destruction and leaving
his family in poverty and distress to
battle with the cold world alone. Then
tears came into his eyes as he pictured
his narrow escape from suicide.
He raised his clasped hands toward
Heaven and knelt on the pier, and
never was there more heartfelt prayer
uttered than his brief and emphatic:
Father, | thank Theer'
Picking up his hat and walking
stick, and with his now doubly-pre-
cious preserverin his hands, he walked
smartly homeward. His wife had not
been to sleep. His non-return' at the
usual hour on club night had alarmed
her. 10 her he at once unburdened
his bosom and related the whole story
of his embarrassments, expected in
solvency, despair; the episode of the
pier, his temptation and narrow escape
from self-immolation. Nor did he re-
greet the confidence.
"Why didn't you tell me of your
troubles sooner?" said Mrs. Searle,
kissing her husband. sam l not
your helpmate? Haven't you conf
dence in me after all these years?"
81 wished to avoid worrying you,
dearest"
"Well, now, you must try to get q
little sleep and don't fret about your
money. With my husband and chill.
dren's love, it will be little loss to me,
Au" why shouldn't we yet make
more"
Even then relief had come and was
already in the house, but they did not
know it.
Searle did sleep, but his rest was
uneasy Next morning he awoke in
a high fever, and it was at this stage
Of events that 1 was sent for, although
not for some time after did | learn the
full particulars of the story that 1 am
now narrating.
In few hours he was delirious
The mental strain and reaction had
been too much for him. The great
centre of his nervous system had sue
Brain fever had set in. |
Among other things 1 enjoined perfect
luiet and ease, especially from the
cares and thoughts of business. And
Nf thfo