The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-04-29

1t flattered me to notice that dead
weight seemed to be lifted from the
shoulders of the whole assembly by my
| coming. Conversation-that is, merry in
| terchange Of chaff and laughter-sprung up
as soon as had been introduced to the two
sisters. All seemed to be in the best of good
humor, Notwithstanding the mysterious abb
sence of poor SAM"
In few minutes a servant announced
dinner, standing at another pair of portieres
which discovered a view of prettily de-
corated dining table.
was put next to the sister with the grey
brown eyes at one end of an oval table,
1T was very good of you to come" she
said to me, as soon as we had sat down.
I'VE could never have had our farewell
dinner, If you had refused.
This remark seemed to meet with gen.
eral approval Some of the men said that
the dinner ought to end with vote of
thanks to me.
Yes" said the sister at the other end
of the table, smiling bewitchingly at me,
you don't know whose life you may have
saved"
I'm sure ought to be very much pleased
to have been able to make myself useful in
such a happy way 1 said. 'It only trou-
bles me to think of the occasion that made
1t necessary"
"Oh, you mustn't worry about poor SAM"
said the sister on my left We've simply
agreed to give him up. What's done can't
be undone.'
The dinner went off very merrily. don't
know whether l ate anything, or what
ate. What is clearest in my recollection is
the dessert and the toasts that went with
1t.
First, the stocky youth who was sitting
at the other end of the table, made a
speech, in which he proposed my health.
He said that, considering all the circum-
stances, the whole thirteen of them might
look upon me as their deliverer, if not from
death, at least from hunger; for there
would have been no dinner IL had held
out in my refusal to come in. Upon this the
whole assembly rose and applauded, then
drank my health In champagne.
Hereupon 1t seemed proper for me to make
a speech on my own account. l was trying
to be facetious. 1t cannot be said that my
efforts were successful. Since they had
been so kind as to drink my health, said,
it was clearly my privilege to propose a
toast of my own. At any such gathering of
friends as this. l always made 1t point
explained, to see that the absent were not
forgotten. On this occasion I felt myself
under a peculiar obligation to one absent
person-my friend Poor Sam" I had only
to regret that 1 had not the pleasure of
Poor Sans" acquaintance. At the same
time, l must ask them to fill their glasses
and drink with me to the health of Poor
Sam
Nothing could have been worse than the
reception or TINS speech, considering that
1t was meant to be funny one,
81 shall never forget the look on the face
of the girl next me, and the mortified and,
at the same time pathetic look In her deep
grey-brown eyes as i sat down.
See what you've done!" she said. touch
ing my arm and pointing to something be-
hind my chair.
There stood n woeful figure-a young man
of about twenty, with brown hair and
boyish face. But his cheeks were pale his
eyes seemed glazed. his lips were ls'ue. lie
stood as If waiting for me to give him he
place l occupied.
What followed was all blurred impress