Omaha daily bee., 1899-12-17

bed, presently forgot all about me, and pro-
ceeded with his argument. Still talking he
rose from his seat and, going to one of the
shc yes which went about the deep window
| seat, he took from that which was readest to
his hand little book covered in crimson
| leather, and with the pages grown yellow
| with age and handling.
! This" he said, holding 1t up "is now my
chief comfort. No, Master Spurway, it is
not the Bible. Her ladyship-yes, certainly,
she is comfort but of a mild nature, and,
as one might say, occasional in action. But,
sir, would have you know that this is Bur-
| ton, his Melancholy or the right edition,
before he grew clumsy. AT Oxford: Printed
| by John Litchfield and James Short for
Henry Cripps; Ammo Dom. 1921 BY that
| you may know it. Without this written
cordial l can neither live merry hour no"
sleep quiet night. Having Burton's fellow
ship, even though my son strive after my
death l can 60 on merrily toward heaven,
as indeed sayeth mine author"
Then Umphray Spurway with a curious
smile on his face asked my grandfather If it
became him as an elder of the kirk to pass
his time with Burton, who after all, was
little better than a pagan (or at least an
Episcopalian), when he might be in medita-
tion upon "Naphtali'' or LEX Rex"-or, II
hcminded not these, at the least casting up
in his mind the points of Mr. John Bells
Sabbath sermon upon suitable passage in
Canticles.
To which my grandfather replied that 70
his thinking there was more egg meat in one
page of honest Burton than in all the songs
of Solomon the king.
At which saying my own heart was
troubled, and even Umphray Spurway COW
cred his face with his hand.
"Wait, Umphay" he went on, "only wait,
my nilnble bachelor, till you are man with
family and know something about the mat
ter. What comfort will you find in home
that is one continual strife of tongues, your
sons waiting for you without your gate,
wshful for your death, their teetch barred to
bite. your wife peevlsh of face bitter of
speech?"
In answer to this outburst Umphray Spur
way said no word, but held out his hand
across the table, and he smiled no more be-
hind his palm. Sir James took 1t and held
1t hard in both Of his.
81 will not make stranger OF you. UNI
phray," he said, at is not debts that trouble
me. You have put me out of the reach OF
that 1t is that one of my sons hates he
Ye have heard his best word OF me this
night My second, to whom | had thought
to leave the bulk of my money, now every
night comes home disguised in drink and
rails upon me worse than the other. My
wife cries out constantly that / have been
well served for being SO long Over-lenient
with the children"
Speaking OF your son Philip" said Um-
phray Spurway, quietly, "have you tried all
ways with him-the severe well as the
indulgent|
AYE" answered my grandfather, hope
lessly, "all ways. ] sent him abroad to take
service as a common soldier In the Scots
Dutch regiments. thought this would set
tie him. But in month he was in prison;
and when, through the influence Of our am
bassador at The Hague / got him released
in another month have news that he Sas
been condemned to death at Treves. Then,
when had provided money to bribe his
jaiers and bring him home, he only breaks
out more and more furiously 90 that never
know when / go down to mine own dining
hall whether / will get the contents Of a
musket or a decent meal OF meat into my
wame!"
At this moment we heard a noise in the
passageway and both OF the gentlemen rose
to their feet my grandfather pale and per-
turbed, Umphray spurway with his hand
again In his tail pocket where he had put
his pistols
But after all, It was only the minister,
Mr. John Bell, who came in hastily and SINK
into a chair, all shaken and for the moment
unable to speak.
What s't? What ist?" said my grand
father, bending over him anxlously.
Umphray spurway went TO the door aud
looked down the passage, Then he came