The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-01-04
CANDLE DIDN'T BURN THE PAPER
But the Old Scientific Author Lived
So Long That 1t Had Been De-
Barry Pain, in Black and White

so Long That 1t Had Been De-
strOyed.
Barry Pain, in Black and White
The day had been spent very quietly.
Now that the work of thirty years was
finished there was none of the triumph of
completion. and not even the sense of re-
lief that is so often felt when long task
is at length laid aside. All through the
house the tone was grave, almost mourn
full.
The old man in the spare hours that
sclen had left him found time TO win the
love Of many. This change frightened
them. They were anxious about him. What
would he do with his mornings now? He
had never be easy to interest; of politics
he knew olhing, he thought of art gener-
ally as pleasant parlor game for ladies';
sclence and the ties of personal affection
had been the only realities for him. And
ne was about TO give up half his realities
Yes, after the work would come the re-
ward; they did not forget that The book
was not for he general reader, but IL was
certain of magnifi cent reception from the
learned 1t was a book that had been LONG
expected, for which the scientific world
was impatient Yes, for a time ne would
ND occupati in seeing the book through
the ess; and then there would be the
honor and glory; but what after that? He
had been so inseparably linked with the
preparation of that book. His health had
been good or bad, proportionately as the
ork had gone well or i'll. And so it hap
pened that on the day that he announced
the competition of the manuscript, side by
side with the spoken words of cheerful
ccngratulation went thoughts thai We're
grave and apprz hensive
The little old gentleman himself took the
who affair with a certain dignity He
"a e no sign of eXultation or depression
In fact, he was scarcely conscious what
his own feelings were, but he told himself
that il was vulgar 10 expect and base to
iear. AT er dinner he retired to the libra
ry instead of joining his family in the
crawl room as usual, and took from tie
deepest of the drawers in the writing ia
bic the precious manuscript, finished and
ready for the printer
The library was a large room, furnished
in the simplest manner, and the simplicity
was not an arranged simplicity. 1t was SO,
not in the least because he had never
tried to make ii elaborate. 1t was not the
simplicity of a consciously severe taste,
but the less pleasing result of pure chance.
The incongruous presents Of friends and
relatives mingled with the essential appa-
ratus of his studies. One wondered how
anybody who wanted that big microscope
could also want that violet wool mat or
the "crystoleum' representation of a stout
Naiad. He had never been guilty Of
adding one decoration to the room him
self; but if people gave him things-well,
it was very kind of them. 1t was Aunt
Alice who had given him the pair of can
dlesticks that he now placed on the table
beside his book They were Of white
china, and bore views Of some of the more
tempting parts of Eastbourne. He had
never desired them, but he used them with
gratitude, and lighted the candies with
a match from box that bore the need
nd ipGqr.uf sfCfrflxa a
light" He drew from among the sheets
of his book a large diagram. fun Of min
ute detail, drawn with exquisite neatuess
and peered closely at it. No; there was
nothing to correct and nothing to add
To the best of his ability it was finished
He put down the sheet and leaned back
in his chair.
He did not share the apprehension Of
his relatives about his future. If he pic
tured it at all. he saw himself busy with
an interminable spondence arising out
of his book. Not all the letters that he
would receive would be Pleasant. There
is good deal of Jealousy about even in
the scientific world, but there would be
the congratulatory messages as well. The
effects of the book as he imagined them
would last for years and years-all the
years of preparing new editions would
alone be enough to keep him fully occu-
pied. He reminded himself that It was
vulgar to expect; but in a few minutes
he was thinking out phrases of a suitable
modesty to use in reply to an Illuminated
address from a learned body Why not2
There was thirty years work, unusual re-
sources great devotion. and-well, yes
some Intelligence In the book. II deserved
recognition, and with this comforting
thought he grew drowsy, and nodded Off
TO seep in his chair.
In his sleep he had dream. He was pres
ent at great banquet, and he became
aware the banquet was given in his honor,
and that ne would shortly be expected to
speak He had no feeling OF nervousness;
in his hand were the notes OF his speech
already written out but he felt absolutely
independent of them He was full of the
happiest ideas. inspired with telling
phrases conscious of power. AT last the
moment came, and amid loud applause he
rose TO his feet He almost whispered the
Managing his voice TO perfection. he be-
chosen language TO the interest which
His Royal Highness had always shown
In the work of the society and TO the
honor that he conferred upon them by his
presence. Then he paused and allowed
the courteous applause TO die away be-
fore getting to the real business OF his
speech Raising his voice, and with a
noble sweeping gesture, ne continued:
Wherever gaze / see before me"
And OF that moment the arm of the
sleeper shot out and upset one Of the |
white china candlesticks with the views
upon them. IL fell over on the pile OF |
nanu5c-ipt-the one copy OF the great