The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-03-06

Tie walk after breakfast. ! always take
q little walk after breakfast. it does me
good. ard ! think I've seen you. 4 took
notice Of the black on your coat. what's
II there f0r?''
Poor father and mother" answered
Peter
so you knew the poor souls were gone
from this world? You never made sign
that you did"
NO. didn't know: but when / caleu-
lated they'd be about seventy l thought
Ia put on bit OF mourning, fer they
most like be gone: 20 / did. an I've worn
IL ever since because l wasn't certain.
They'm gone. sure enough. you say
Yes. gone; and many another. too"
Then the dealer In antiquities hesltated,
and considered in his mind; AZ length.
with an effort. he said. But come in and
have some supper with me- and talk over
old times, won't you ~
The old man smart vanished entirely as
he concluded his invitation: and Peters
heart was touched tonight; SO he found
himself accepting Thomas Pritche;ts
welcome. and was soon seated IN roomy
elbow chair Ia the low-browed parior be-
hind the shop, with his legs under Thorn
as Pritchett's table. smiling gently as he
partook Of cold bacon and shifted the
steam which rose from the cup OF cocoa
standing beside his plate. and then he
fell to talking In loving tones OF Bristol
and Of the days of his youth. After a
time he inquired Of Margaret Brooke his
only sweetheart: but Margaret Brooke
had died young. and Peter felt rather
glad 10 hear it--giad 10 think that she
had never been the wife OF any other
man.
And YOU" he asked Thomas Pritchett,
didn't you ever marry.
Never" declared Thomas Pritchett. II
always stuck 10 antiquities"
SO they talked until the night was al
most gone; then Peter walked home joy
onsly-and forgot his saveloy.
From that day Peter Smith raised his
eyes from his crossing every weekday
morning 10 View the approach of Thomas
Fritchett as he performed his eousfitu-
ton; and the old admiration welled back
into him as he beheld the dealer in antiq-
Titles, for be was Of dignliled figure,
though poor in inches. Thomas Pritchett,
too. felt glad when he turned the corner
and caught sight of Peter: he did not offer
him further hospitality, fer that would
have been expensive. but Il was pleasant
to his eyes that Peter should be there,
happy and eontented. able TO speak
friendly word in passing, ard no. in NEED
of charity.
So the one looked an and the other
locked down. as in the old days AT Bristol;
and Peter Smith thought. lovingly of
Thomas Pritchett as he sat III his bare
room after professional work was done;
and Thomas Pritchstt unused indulgentiy
OF feter SMITH when discouraged from
driving hard bargains and amassina
wealth II Thomas Prltchett had been
a hard man from his majority Peter
Smiths eyes lad never beheId him in that
light; In him ne had ever appeared a man
or noble IA aie and Immense head power:
he appeared 60 still. a man need not be
rich TO enjoy Illusions. Thomas Pritchett.
on his side grew attached TO the gentle
Bristol boy grown grey; and as the years
passed on he felt the comforting charm Of
Peter Smiths admiration: he knew that
Peter Smith thought him a good man.
and he was old enough 10 like the knowi-
edge.
For almost eight years these aged Bris-
toi boys gave greeting daily to one an
ether. and showed but few additional
signs o. wear and tear OF time. Peter. II
Is true. moved his black band from the
s'ee"e of his old coat 10 the sleeve OF one
less old-not that he considered the period
OF his mourning insufficient bur that he
had grown attached TO tho decoration;
md THE worn tint on the face Of Thomas
grow even Yet more mellow ard the
snafi-sign lay deeper by his nose. But
little or Importance CHANGED to disturb
them: the sweeping and bargaining
brought in their adequate rewards.
But ono morning when Peter Smith
locked up from his crossing Thomas
Pritchetts figure was NOT to be seen; and
many times did he look UP that day.
nntil. indeed. no become dizzy and
vaguely unhappy. but he saw no sign
or Thomas Pfi;chets. And for two more
days did Peter keep his watch, until he
felt his sight &c be sUrfeitei with fellow
beings: hut Thomas did nos come. Then.
the next day being Saturday. he be-
thought himself that HIS saveloy might
well be purchased at that grocer shop
which iay alongside the Museum Of An
tiquities." and so might sight or news
Ct Thomas be also gained.
So he shuffied of and bought his Sun
Gay dinner. and then he entered the
Museum ara raped gently upon the
counter. Then from lie hiad that counter
slowly rose youth, ard still he rose.
aS II unwiEaing himself by coils. and
Peter feared fer hlin--feSred that Il might
he dlrlruli e. stop rising from behind
THAI counter ard the shop WAS hat low
celEnged. But the youth remained sta
tionsry after a while, and told Peter. In
n thin treble voice. that Mr. Pritche,t
was 81. and That he-the coil Of youth
was there 20 mind the shop; 50 Peter
sent 4 kindly message 10 his obi friend
and awaited some wori Of reply.
Would Mr. Smith walk upstairS?"
came hack a message. s. Peter walked
Vp, ana there. on long. marrow bed in
4 long. narrow rocus. Law old Thomas
fritchatt. with the dim light OF an oil
lamp showing I'D the shadows II was
a curious room, The ceiling si-st demand
e1 notice. for not only was Il strangely
stained and bu,ging. bat 70 was 50 very
near. Then. by tina Dim Hight II the lamp.
when The eyes had become accustomed 10
Us limits. might hs aiscsrred chairs.
tables. wurdrabes. of ancient build. and
wei-woFn upholst ", some archaeological,
some strong and MASSIVE, SOME most
deliberately turned and curved some
showing nne or uncouth carving. Some
upholstered IN faded damssk. some show
ing remnants Of brilliant chintzss some
well-rresoFve9. some bsiglag. some hurst.
ard n7re fcr tAe use q comfort o. the
o.A man On the bed.
Thomas pr.lchett turned bis face TO-
wards Peter Smith as ne heard fhe sound
g his footsteps.
"pett~. N very BAD" Dc said family
What's Tie matter. Tommy cooes
Frfo4 ten1eriy
~Ea2l. ,hsy ten me ar. - s'p5ss +.