The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1901-11-19
DALPH HOLMES
Il LUCKY HUNCA
BY Charles B. Younger.

Ralph Holmes, express messenger on
a fast night train running from Chica-
go to Peoria, had discharged his duties
in the methodical way that comes with
experience and familiarity with ones
daily routine of work and sank into an
easy chair with a ride of fifty miles yet
before him and nothing to occupy his
attention but his own thoughts, the
rumbling of the wheels and an occa-
sional note of warning from the en-
gine. Thoughts come quick and fast
at such times, and SO it was with Ralph
Holmes. The events OF the four years
since he was thrown upon his own re-
sources passed him in review as q pam
Drama.
On the long, tedious runs" he had
often been absorbed In a reverie of this
sort, but in this instance there were
new and perplexing problems confront
ing him. He had always found much
that was gratifying in one Of these
quiet invoices Of bis few successes in
life, and, while he felt none the less
pleasure on others, he found little in
reminiscence to encourage him in GER
tain of his desires.
In all Of these communions with his
own thoughts there was one central
figure, and that a dear, little woman,
patient and loving, her hair made sill
very and her form bent by the seventy
years Of worldly struggle. 1t was
Ralph Holmes mother. and well he re-
membered the night of his graduation
from high school when she came tot
tering to the stage when the exercises
were over, threw her arms about his
neck and wept tears Of Joy. It was q
glad event for Ralph. for he had closed
his school career with honors, but 1t
was of vastly more moment to the little
old woman who proudly embraced him.
for the Joy which the diploma brought
both of them represented years Of toll
and sacrifice on her part. Ralph was
a sensible youth and not unmindful Of
the aid his mother had given him, often
at the expense Of her own health and
comfort. He, too, recalled on this
night, as often before, the assuring
words he gave his mother before leav-
ing home some months after his gradu-
alton.
"You have given me a start, NOM
mer," he had said, that many q boy
in better circumstances might be glad
TO have, and hope you'll live to see
me prove that deserved fair star" "
Then, as the train sped on, Ralph re-
called his entrance to one Of the great
medical schools Of the city and the
difficulties he encountered during the
first year because of his limited means.
Though he had been forced to study
from the books Of classmates and wait
on the table at n restaurant for his own
board, his letters to the little mother
at home were always cheerful and full
of hope. containing as little as possible
of the darker side Of his college life.
Then, during the summer vacation, he
had by rare stroke Of good fortune
secured the position Of express mes.
| senger. Ralph confidently expected
never to experience happier day than
| when he made his first run" for II
he could but hold the place 1t would re.
lieve him of the anxiety that the ex
pense of his medical education caused
him.
To be sure, he had held the position
and it had more than paid his own ex
| pense. 1t pleased him to note in addi
| ton that he had been able to send 8
little money home to his mother. The
| two trips a week the year round haG
interfered to no small extent with hi.
attendance at school, but he had beer
as faithful as his circumstances woul(
permit. and it seemed to Ralph, as b,
sat there musing. that the faculty mus
have known something of his struggle
and helped him along. Then, too, h'
had been deprived of the regular hour
for study which the other student
had, but he had improved all his spar
time. Night after night he had sat II
that same old chair in the express ca
when his work was over and 'cram
med' until the whistle blew for Peo
ria. More than this, his dingy room il
the Railroad hotel there had been
ia aeorite place for study when he turn
ed in after the long run" for few
hours sleep. The precious sleep ha,
oftentimes been sacrificed that b
might make good recitations at colleg
the following day.
But all this was in the past. Thi
particular night found him a senio
and within a few weeks of his gradu
ation-the elimination Of his own grea
effort. In these closing days Of his col
lege career. however, a new desire ha
taken possession Of him. BE had Eel