The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1900-12-23
THE VISIBLE SOUL.

A short story by G. n. :.
Copyright. 1900. by Louis Klopsch. the
Christian Herald New York.
Mr.. Samuel Greene. the leading lumber
mercha IN large Western city. was
known ss one OF the most prosperous men
quired his wealth BY hard trading and
close bargaining. Few people could get
ahead OF him. and though Il WIS his fire.
quont remark that every dollar he owned
was honestly made in trade" his GUS
toners and his tenants know him only 1s
a hard man. not interruptions but dis
posed TO exact the last dime At home
or IN church TO which he went occasion
a,ly) his thoughts were too much occu-
pied with schemes OF money-making 20
AFFORD any spare room for affection or re-
iigious feeling His business acquaint-
ances rather envied him. as one VINO had
conquered the secret OF success.
The lumber merchant sat IN his littl4
Office az the close OF an October day. II
had been n day full OF business and IS
aggrnvauons. lie wos thinking OF going
home. when there suddenly came a rat
tat at the door
Come in" called Mr. Greene. grumy
"oh. us YOU. Simmons. Well now. what's
wanted?'
"NIr. Greene" said the newcomer. a
sturdiiy built. honert-iooking man OF mid
de age, I've come 90 see if YOU won't
let me have another bin OF lumber
some Michigan pine / need FOR that con-
tract have on the east side"
mo. Simmons. you can't have another
foot Of lumber from my yard. that's
nat" said Mr.. Greene harshly. "As
soon as YOU pay up what you owe. you
can Get more. not TN then"
But. Mr.. Greene" protested Simmons
this Is a serious matter 10 me WHY.
I've paid you hundreds and hundreds Of
dollars. good money. Tor your lumber. and
ns soon as this Job Is through you will
be the FIRST TO get Your money. You dou't
surely mean 20 say you rcfuse?"
That's just what ! do mean" snapped
Greene. but I've no time % talk about
H. You can take your choke: pay up
your last bill, or 40 without"
1T simply means ruin that's what q
does. said che man advancing into the
room. why. good heavens. Mr. Greene
you cannot mean what you say, II would
be- the meanest-"
Get outf' Numbered the lumber uer-
chant, advancing toward him. his huge
bulk now quivering with anger "Out Of
here. ] say. You shall never get foot
OF lumber from me as long as ! live"
simmons relroated "a step or two then
still with hgt In hand. he turned towards
the excited man. "Mr Greene" he said
in deep tones. may the Lord forgive me
for saying It. but I think you have the
mcancst Soul that ever he permitted 70
enter into man, and II you could only see
It."
But his talk was suddenly cut short BY
threatening movement Of Mr. Greene
who pushed him QUE Of the Office and
slammed tho door violently.
"Coufounded impotence. ] call itr' said
The lumber merchant on regalning his
seat. why. hang the felloy. ! trusted
him and trusted him. I'm fairly sick OF
his whining talk and poverty-stricken
ways. To insult me by referring 20 my
soul What does he know about q. any
way" and he rose and paced tho floor Of
che little Office. HE said had the mean
est soul" he unused. "But who ever heard
Of anyone seeing soul?" And then be
sat down again, and rubbed his chin
meditauvcly. He rested his head upon
his hands. Somehow those words bur
rowed and buzzed IN his brain. The world
Of business seemed TO slip away into
shadows and silence.
My soul-well. ! wish ] could see H. I
am sure that fellow II wrong. Anyhow.
he knows nothing about q. ] wish"
Here ] am" pipod up o little. chin
voice, somewhere on the floor behind him
"What-whats that" he asked quickly.
Here am" repeated the thin voice
"who2 Where7"
Right here behind you"
The lumber merchant turned IN aston
ishment. and looked In the direction indi-
Gated There, In a corner. and In the shad-
ow OF the leathor-covered lounge. was a
little impish. dwarf-look.nR figure. ike n
shrivelcd Filipino The merchant shrank
back N nmazemcut
"Who are you anywny2" he raapcd
Il am your soul" piped The black look
ing ilttle imp IN the corger.
My souiT" He shook himself together
as II dlsbelieving his senses. Utter nom
sensel Why. with a touch Of this button
/ can summon a policeman"
"Stii am your SOUL said the little
black one. Yours and nobody else's"
How did you come into my Officer" In
terrogatcd the megchant
II was permitted 70 come as you wish
ed. said the black thing and / must
stay until the time Of my permission
ends"
''counfoud itf' persisted Mr. Greene.
you don't mean 20 say that you are go
lnr 70 stick right here IN my once"
wherever you 70. go" piped the
voice II am a part % you and you
cannot BE- without me-"
But" stammercd the merchant with