Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-12-12

EySzsSss The words were spoken by
ssy Il young man who stood
leaning in IN attitude expressive of
WEAKNESS and detection against one of
the guard walls of bridge over the
Seine.
The spot, as might be inferred from
the remark, was far from the brilliant
lights and gay life Of the chief bridges,
the boulevards, the principal quays.
1t was dark with the darkness loved
by criminals. Few people passed that
way at night. and had there been many
the young man would scarcely have
been noticed.
II believe I have ) francs left" he
muttered to himself. "The prospects
are delightful
A SILVER ran through his frame. He
looked down at the dark, forbidding
water. 1t swirled below his feet Ell
Their in invitation or derision. 1t de-
pended on the man.
Buckford Wallace was an American.
He was young. He had sought Paris
with a well filled purse. a heart full of
hope and ambition and belief that he
was a born artist. Within less than
year he had emptied his purse, lost
hope and changed his belief to this
that he was born fool.
At any rate he could not draw nei-
Their could he paint. The full shock of
the realization did not come to him till
he had spent his money and learned
that the uncle who had been support
ing him in luxury had died and left his
fortune to his nieceS, none of whom
was on marrying or even friendly
terms with Buckford.
Buckford Wallace saw nothing ahead
but the bitterness and gloom of pow
erty.
a month before he had believed him
self to hold a fortune securely in his
hands and to possess talent enough to
make name for himself. Today he
knew that 5 francs was all he had and
did not know where another franc was
to come from
Despair was in the young mans
heart. and it was q pity. for he was a
handsome youth. free from the follies
and vices so common to those who live
idly and at ease in Paris. He was
brave enough too. But at % one does
not face poverty and misfortune as one
faces Il human antagonist.
Buckford Wallace had not contem-
plated suicide. He had, in his heart
misery, wandered to that lonely spot to
think over his next necessary step.
Even had he thought of ending his
life and his troubles he would be for
given by all except those who have
had little life and no troubles.
But whatever was passing through
Buckford's mind, his attitude was GER
tainly that of a man who was about to
plunge into the Seine.
Perhaps at that moment he did not
even know the Seine was there.
1t was the appearance of his sinister
motive that set the pieces of this histo-
ry in motion.
A man was lurking in the still deep
err shadows on that bridge. This man
wore large cloak which almost eavel-
oped him and served as rude dis
guise. A SLOUGH hat was drawn over
his eyes. These eyes were like those Of
cat. They could see in the dark.
They could stand anything but honest
light.
"Heayensw this man was muttering
to himself. "rhere is young fool who
is sick OF life Weary Of the struggle
he is about to end himself ignobly
& when, If he chose, he could devote his
life to the service Of humanity and win
Immortality and fame"
This was strange sentiment to come
from the lips Of man who skulked In
the dark, wearing disguise.
"And," he added, as Buckford leaned
farther out over the water, ''just when
we need man who courts death"
Buckford, oblivious Of the presence
Of the other, gazed down into the swirl
ing water.
81 believe" he said to himself, 'if
had not been born Wallace or hat
not had my own dear mother to teact
me in my youth l would feel tempted
to jump into that water and find rest
A light touch Oh his shoulder startled
him.
Monsieur, do not attempt it. Yol
might succeed, but there is doubt. I
you IluSL W IL, IilClC 10 q way
what the deuce do you mean" ask
ed Wallace, drawing back in startle'
alnazement from the stranger.
flush! Not SO loud! The police ca
hear even in the dark and on thi
bridge We are two brothers in mis-
fortune. l, who am older, have Learn
ed the way out. I pity you. wi
Head you as / myself was led whe
younger"
IL thank you" stammered Wa
lace. "But | really don't need to b
led"
Come! We are fencing. Do yo
deny that in one moment, had | NJ
accosted you, you would now be in tt
Seine"
For moment Wallace hesitated
doubt as to the others meaning. The
tle dark cloak and SLOUGH hat actin
as a source Of inspiration, he laughed
"oh, my friend" he said, II had n
got so far down as that"
La