St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1900-04-11
XERXES.


front. 1t was bright Easter morning,
and Xerxes, despite his shabby attire,
looked about him with keen appreciation.
Who was he? A "vag," a 'hobo,"
"deadbeat," you might have called him,
but, according to his own story, "gen-
tleman of limited income and uncertain
locality" only poor devil who during
his youth had known the finer things of
life, but for whom from the glass of Fate
had been poured only disappointment
and misfortune. The old story of an in
dulgent father and a reckless, IMPROVE
dent son; of business reverses and heavy
losses, which worried the old man into
his grave; of the son, now grown, blase
and prohigate, having no vocation to call
his own, no experiences in his life save
those of a youth with wealth at his COM
mand and Bohemia his favorite stamp
ing ground. Not much upon which to
base the foundation for q practical live
lihood. For years he had drifted aimless-
" around, till, failing to find his niche in
life, he had, as he expressed it, 'tried to
gil the next easiest one," and here, on
the lower step of a prosperous looking
mansion, fashionable church on the
corner opposite, with the glorious sun
light of the perfect Easter morning light
ing up with Implying accuracy every de-
tail of his shabby attire, we find Xerxes,
a gentleman of leisure-otherwise a
tramp.
Down the steps of the house next door,
overwhelming him with their daintiness
and their fresh, young womanhood, came
two girls clad in all the f1uttering laces
and ribbons that go to make up the fin de
steele demoiselle. They were talking too
earnestly to notice Xerxes, who drew
humby back that their perfumed skirts
might not brush his soiled garments, and
little did they realize that to the half
starved soul of the poor fellow on the
lower step the sight of them was like
burst of spring, filling his heart with radi-
ant warmth and the memory of happier
days so long ago.
Look, Nell" said one, blushing and
holding out tiny hand for inspection.
"Ah, how lovelyw and Nell bent over
glistening jewel on the little finger
"From Jack?"
A shy nod gave assent, and as they
passed on their eager young voices came
back to him like sweet music.
"And / once had sweetheart" he
unused with sigh, "and l gave her
ring too. | remember that | kissed her
little hand when placed it on that night.
All, that night-the sweetness of it,
Where is the little ring now, | wonder,
and-where is shep
A womans voice fioated out to him
from an open window softly humming the
refrain from that old serenade:
Good night, ladies,
We're going to leave you now.
$50 long ago." he murmured, staring
with eyes that saw not at the pavement
beneath his feet-"so long ago sang
that beneath her window once"
The sweet strains of the closing an
them hoated across to him like benedic-
ton, Involuntarily he bowed his head.
The ushers threw open the doors of the
church, and the worshipers poured into
the street. As they hurried past they
glanced at Xerxes, some with curiosity,
some with pity, some disdainfully. "All
sorts and conditions of men," he unused
as they went by-old men, young men,
self important youths and earnest stu
dents; mischievous boys and grandsires
in their dotage; matrons, maids and spin
sters all giving a glance, but rarely one
Of kindness, to the shabby figure on the
lower step.
A deacon with unsmiling face and
sanctimonious mien went gravely on his
reverend way, benignly letting fall on our
tattered friend a superior glance, which
prompted him ironically to quote: "Veri-
ly, Lord! | thank thee that am not as
other menu
Then a rotund little business man,
whose faultless broadcloth and pompous
air bespoke the successful fnancier stop
ped before Xerxes and patronizingly in
Quired:
"Why don't you go where you belong,
my good man?'
Because" TRANQUILITY, Pm trying to
be better man and knew could profit
by the example of good, charitable,
Kind hearted Christian like your
A gentle voice made him turn, and a
sweet faced old woman with silver hair
pressed coin into his hand as she said:
lou are in need, my poor fellow. Will
you take this with the hope that you may
do better?"
Heaven bless you, lady" he said, as
ne stood before her and barred his head.
heaven bless you always for a kindly
word to poor ne're-do-well and for re.
calling the face Of his dear mother"
1here were a misty look in his eye and
thrill Of happiness in his heart long
after she had gone.
Bless her." he said. "If there were
more like her, the new woman would
never have been born"
Hello, there! Is you tired?" And a radi.
ant little vision with the bluest of eyes
ana the sunniest tangle of flying curls,
world Of mischief in the roguish laugh
ana wealth of love for everybody in the
sweet sweet little face, came flying toward him.
Aerxes almost held his breath as the lit
ue hgure came up and held out to him
nower no fairer than herself. How many
years was it since he had been so near to
such dainty, we'll cared for bit of hui
manty? l'
Thank you, little one," was all he
said, but his voice was very gentle, and
me child, looking up into his eyes, read,
with the instinct which, alas, we all out
grow so soon, the sweetness and patience
OF a soul that knew not much joy.
Didn't tell you not to talk to strangs
len" and an irate mamma swooped