Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1900-07-18
THE BLESSING
OF JIM ROBBINS.
Under an Inspiration He
Distinguished Himself.
By W. r. ROSE.
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Spencer Clifford was quite too ready
to admit that he was just an average
sort of fellow. That was really all he
cared to be. What he could do he did
fairly well, but he did just as little us
was decently possible. At college he
had gone in little for athletics, and
made very creditable record, but he
shrank from anything really brilliant
He was a good scholar too, but was
quite willing to rank with the intellec-
tual second raters. When he left col
lege, he went abroad and dawdled
about in an aimless way, and came
home with few Impressions that he
cared to mention. Then he went in
for society, and there seemed to be
reasonably contented. Society amused
him and wasn't too exacting. Society
coddled him; he was young, handsome,
clever and rich.
And yet he would admit that he felt
a little conscience stricken when Anna
Goldie gravely asked him one day
about his future hopes. There was
look in her eyes that he didn't like
when lie laughed off the query. 1t set
him to thinking, and thinking was IN
occupation he rarely indulged in.
Thinking almost disquieted him. He
avoided Anna Goldie for time, and
found that was still more disquieting.
And then Just as he was thinking he
would invite another talk with her on
the original disquieting subject she
suddenly went away She went, they
told him, to visit an invalid aunt in the
interior of the state. She might be
gone some. time. 1t was more visit
OF duty than of pleasure, and its con-
tinuance would depend altogether upon
the failing health of the aunt. In what
part of the state did Miss Goldie's aunt
live? Somewhere near Palmyra.
Palmyra? That was where Jim Rob.
bins lived Good old Jim Robbins,
whom he hadn't seen since his last col
lege year. Jim was somebody down in
Palmyra. Member Of the legislature,
or something. He saw JIm's name in
the papers occasionally. Jim was a
rising man.
AS the'days wore along the desire to
visit Jim grew upon him. he had o
standing invitation to come down Mt
any time. There was a pressing note
in his desk Of quite recent date in
which he was told of the treat he was
missing in not making the acquaint-
ance OF Jini's matchless wife and
equally matchless girls. lie wondered
IL Jim would know the abiding place Of
Anna Goldies aunt. III he was a poll
tician, lie probably knew everybody.
He decided to so down at once and
to that effect.
Thea he went to the bar and called
on his father. And while he was there
his uncle Tom came in and the three
were closeted for long time in his
fathers private room. When they
calue out, his uncle Tom shook hands
with him and patted him on the back
In his usual hearty fashion. And his
father shook hands with him in grave
fashion, and both the elder men SEEM
ed highly clated. Spencer shook his
head a little doubtfully as he left them.
Then he braced up with swift stiffen.
Ing OF his ingers and clinching of his
hands and accelerated his pace. He
was going to his rooms to I'LL his dress
suit case for the visit to Jim.
He arrived at Palmyra early in tho
evening, He had meant to reach there
In the afternoon. but the train was dc.
layed, He hadn't told Jim Just what
day he would start, and so his old
friend wasn't bothering over his non
appearance. Spencer concluded lie
would look Jim up In the morning. He
went to the hotel aud had his supper.
After supper he strolled up TO the
clerks desk and inquired about his
friend.
"oh, Jim Robbns?" cried the clerk.
"Yes. yes. Jim is one of our leading
citizens. Has nice home up on the
West hill. He's great hustler, Jim
Is. Going to send him to the state SEN
ate next fan, Friend Of yours?'
Yes" said Spencer, IAN old friend.
Game down to visit him"
"'rell you what you do" said the
clerk. "Jim Is the chairman, toast
master whatever you call It, OF the big
banquet at Raymond haIl tonight.
It's complimentary feed given in
honor of Colonel Jack Speed, who Is
home for brief visit, and everybody,
pretty much, Is going. Colonel Speed
IL our congressman, you know, and
he's In high favor In Palmyra. Hon.
Dwight Perkins from somewhere out
west one OF the big national lights of
the house, is to he the speaker of the
occasion, and they'll have plenty to eat
aud good music. Better go over"
half hour later Spencer ascended
the stairway of Raymond hall. He
poticed number OF ladies in tho
crowd that steadily marched into the
hall, and he was rather glad TO find
that .he banquet was not to be of the
usual political for men only character
AT the head of the stairs he noticed a
door standing open, and looking
through into the brightly lighted ante
room he saw his old friend. The inn
pulse was too strong to resist, aud he
passed In the doorway and held out
his hand.
What's the matter with Jim Rob-
binsT he laughingly called.
In an instant his friends hand
gripped his.
Spencer, old man, 80 glad to see
you! He pushed Spencer OFF little
and held him there. you are looking
prime" he said. "And, by George!
you are just in time" He laughed as
| he spoke, and looked at SPENCER with