New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-29
HIS OTHER SELF.

and people turn out the contents Of my desk, l
wonder what they will think Of this treasure?
It Is a scrap Of paper apparently torn out of an
old copy book. and scrawled over in n childish
hand with the names of Laurie Pryce and Tom
Robertson.
That bit Of paper has brought back to me the
days when it was scrawlcd. l have not thought
Of those days for years and years!
had not begun my medical student life then.
though had 1t In prospect. great deal came
between my school days and my student days,
and so it was necessary for me to rub up my
Latin and mechanics to make sure OF passing
my preliminary" Therefore l went to stay in
the family of a retired Somerset House clerk.
who lived in a house up little. clean, paved
court which opened from St. Martins Lane.
and ended with green gate, admitting con-
gregation Of Friends to their meeting-house
Ny host, Mr.. Pryce. was widower with one
child. a boy named Laurie. Laurie had been the
maiden name OF the deceased Mrs. Pryce. The
house was kept by Mrs Pryce's sister Miss
Emmot Laurie. She was assisted by one old
servant who was never called anything but
Jane"
Some Of the windows overlooked the yard OF
the Friends meeting house. and others opened
upon a blank wall Everything was very clean
was half worn out. though 1t very carefully
kept One could cut ones fingers on the sharp
edges of the silver spoons The china was all
delicate and the linen fine terrified TO
move for fear would tear or break something
believe Miss Emmot was frightened for my sake.
She stood in awe Of her brotherin-law. and was
always In distress lest little Laurie should not
yome up TO his expectations as to goodness or
eeverness.
Whenever Miss Emmot asked her nephew
what place he had in class. he generally replied.
though with sundry small variations:
About where I was yesterday; but Tom Rob
ertson Is at the top Of the class"
TON Robertson seems always there" OBJ
served Miss Emmot, while Mr.. Pryce once actu-
ally condescendcd TO remark:
'Tf Laurie had any spirit that would fire his
emulation"
Laurie ventured TO say: TON Robertson
works 80 we'll because ne IL allowed fire and
a candle in his bedroom. and his mother goes
I'D end sits with him and explains his les-
sons"
But Mr. Pryce was conveniently absorbed in
his newspaper.
Laurie talked a great deal about Tom Rob
ertson. When his aunt said she must think
of buying him some new clothes. Laurie told
us that Tom had got a velvet Jacket for best.
which he wore when he went out with his
father. Whe-eupon Mr.. Pryce jeered and
asked II the father also took a barrel-organ.
and then Tom would do for the attendant mon
key!
On holidays Laurie was very fond Of taking
q book and resorting to the leads" at the top
Of the house. whence he could see little but the
spire Of St Martins Church and the roof Of
the old workhouse In Hemming's Row. James"
bedroom opened upon this retreat, which she
used sometimes for drying clothes. Laurie told
US that Tom Robertson spent his holidays in
the country with an uncle who had been
abroad. Tom had pony to ride. and Tom
went out in boat Tom had climbed a noun
tain and had sat down on the top. whence he
could see the sea and ten counties Tom had
once gone off with the gypsics, and had stayed
In their tents for two or three days Tom said
that when 1t was too late for people to want
their fortunes told the gypses dropped the
tent curtains and spread velvet carpets on the
ground, and ate their stolen fowls and poached
hares, with their fingers off silver plate He
said there was a queen among the gypsics and
she put real diamonds In her black hair Tom
had been very sorry to leave the gypsies; ne
meant to so back some day.
How he must have frightened his poor
mother" sighed Miss Emnot
II believe Tom Is a depravcd little liar" said
Mr.. Pryce. Il have instructive dislike to
that boy; and my instincts always prove
rectr
Have you seen much Of him, sir?" asked
Him? No. Caught sight Of him once or twice
~ Laurie In the street But to q keen eye