West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1898-01-20


wrong doing and as n severe school to
teach me the right, and under no cir
cumstarccs would I have my torn OF
enlistment shortened one single day."
Alice looked into his eyes for n mo-
mcnt, and then began q new scrutiny
of the sketch. Her thoughts were not
upon the picture, however. She wns
debating In her own mind the pro-
pricty of pushing her inquiries further
Sho was burning with curiosity not un-
mixed with sympathy 10 learn why n
man OF his acquircmcntsan and unnistals-
able Refinement should bo found in such
humble position. After n few mo-
mcnts' reflection. during which ho
watched her face with growing intcr-
est, she sprang from her saddle TO tho
ground, aud requested him TO tighten
the girth. While he was doing 80 she
said;
1T may be presunptuous for me 10 do
so, Mr.. Brown, but I must ask you a
question even NJ the risk of being
thought impertincnt Whom toll you
j om greatly astonished to find one OF
your qualifications among mon 80 far
beneath you In intellect and refined
tastes, feel that you will 500 In my
interest some paliiation for my action
Mny venture 10 nslS II there Is a secret
connected with the cause of your thus
bauishing yourself from the ran,ss Of
life in which you nrc fitted to movc?@'
II fully appreciate the spirit OF curt
osity which prompts the question, Mias
SANFORD, and really regret that my
reply may doface any romantic mental
picture you may have drawn of me. I
have nothing TO conceal from the
world.r
"Thon will you not tell mo some
thing Of yourself, II your story be one
you can properly intrust with a
stranger? ! ask for no confidence, Mr..
Brown, and nssure you that curiosity
alone feeds my naturc--with, perhaps,
feeling of friendly sympathy for
fellow artist"
lie reflected a moment with down
cast eyes, then looking Ia her f2ce ro-
Piled:
Il will tell you my story. though IL
! may leaSon me la your esteem, and un-
derininc any good opinion you may
have formed OF me. 1t can be told In u
very few words In the arst place, my
name is not Brown"
! II was very sure OF that" she said
with n sunny smile. Brown Is too
common n name for such an uncommon
man"
! And yct illustrious men have borne
IL. ! recall one long since dead whose
tirclcss soul with knnpsack strupped
upon It's lack Is yet reported 70 be on
an extended march. My true nnme Is
Edward Thornton. ! assumed the
nanie low bear whom enlisted.
My mother died when was bat n
! year old md u few months latcr my
father followed her, leaving ms In tho
care Of i very wealthy aunt ia the city
! Of brooklyn, n. Y. Sho was my
fathers only sister, and took ne 20 her
: own lux xarious home and reared mo ms
her own child, lnvishing upon Ino hcr
| dcepegt love. lwns all she had TO love,
and from childhood tho dear, good
woman fairly idoiized me and gratinod
my every wish. Whom I reached
! proper age competent teachers were
secured for Iae, and, developing love
! for study, progressed 10 rapidly that
at the early age Of seventeen was the
possessor of liberal education aud
fitted 10 lll responsible position la
the business world As before told
and painting, for which am now truly
thankful, for the only real pleasure
now derive from life find amid these
western solituGes with I1y sketch book
and pencils
when my education was completed
my good aunt supplied me literally with
money, and In her solicitude for my
pleasure and enjoyment paid little Mt
tention 10 my moral training. ] waS
Of lively, fun-loving disposition, and
In choosing my companions ] selected
kindred spirits who would Join mo Ia
any wild lark that promised sport
zone night ut banquet given In hon
or of the birthday of a young lady friend
Of my aunt ] listened 60 the smiling
entrcatics Of tho fair hostess 10 drink
her health. and accepted from her hand
my FIRST glass Of wine Ali Miss San
ford, the frst downward step toward
the depths OF drunken degradation ls
often taken at the invitation OF a
tbOughtlcss fair woman with n glnss Of
sparkling wine In her jewelcd hand,
when she little dreams that what she re-
CARDS ms but triiling act Of hospitality
Is the seal Of doom upon life that might
otherwise be bright and useful. The
wine seemed 70 Hood my soul with its
rosy warmth nud TO quicken my senses,
and other draughts Of the ruby liquid fol-
lowed until was taken home In n cnr-
riagc supported ia my aunts arms, In
state Of stupid intoxication.
when ! came down from my cham
bcr the next morning feeling as guilty
ns fclon approaching the bar Of jus
tice, my aunt met me with smile,
play fully chidcd me for having taken
just drop too much, and cautioned mo
TO be carcf' -ud not IN future oyeresu-
mate my bibulous powers That snne
night again sought the false cheer o.
the vino cup.
Lower and lower went in my
downward course, the demon Of drink
sinking - poisonous talOns deeper 0nd
deeper into nay soul. No word u re-
buko ever fcll from my aunt's lipa She
continued 70 loep my purse tvoil filed,
the good creature believing my crop 81
wild oats would Soon 10 sosyn and
would then settle down into respect
able, Bober manhood.
Two years ngo this very day-the
! dste Is notable Oue 70 me, f,r it Is