Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1901-02-12
A HABlTUE OF 1.-THE FOLLY"

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81 T was not cheerful cafe, but it
= was near the entrance to The Folly,
: so l paused and peered through the
steaming glass. The linen had for
lorn look, and the single waiter, so far
as could judge, must have been per-
picked by the burden of his doubtful
nationality, but the place seemed quiet,
and l pushed my way through the
swing doors without further thought.
At the far end of the room was kind
of raised platform, with two tables; at
one of these sat a man who took my at
tention more by his attitude than face.
He seemed to have shrunk into himself
as refuge from doubtful contacts, yet
he had, too, the air of gentleman
half-submerged in comfortable squalor
His dress was untidy, yet worn with a
certain remnant of distinction, and 1
observed that his hands were delicate
and carefully preserved. 1 took seat
opposite him, and said something about
:. the, condition of the streets.
1T rains?' he queried.
at drizzles mud,' said; ''the pave
mentS are damnable." @
I: .:.t.Ah!'' He took a sip from his glass,
i folded his paper, and looked at me-
Then he glanced at the clock, sighed,
and settled back into his chair. While
F dined we scarcely spoke two words
together, yet 1 felt myself drawing
closer TO the man and my interest trem-
bling on the verge of pity, When l
had done, and had a glass before me-
we drifted into talk.
You know this place well, l SUD-
poser / asked
Il dine here six nights week. You
see, it is convenient for me. The place
itself is not all that one could ask, but
when a man has learnt a little of the
: philosophy of life he takes things as
as easily as l do l assented. "And,
after all" he went on, what does it
matter? At the end of every avenue
O. one sees-what? Death. Now it seems
to ME that l shall have less to bind me
to life if dine every night in sur
roundings like these. A rich man, a
lover of good vntages, a browser in fat
pastures, has to die for every fancy.
He multiplies torture and feels dissolu-
ton in every approach of DEATH"
You have had some experience of
the world" said, "and have found it
necessary to learn the doctrine of com
promise"
Il have had enough experience to
make me content to sit here and drink
with stranger" he answered, smiI-
ing, "and if''-he half emptied his glass
there are any other unhappy turns
of fortune in front of me l shall doubt
less meet them half way. never fight:
1 accept"
He swept his hand across the cloth.
and his tired eyes frightened for a mo-
ment. Il can see all my life spread out
before me there" He paused and
glanced at me. But perhaps L bore
you," he said, "and you may wish to
go?''
Il have half an hour to spare and do
not want to STIR"
$50 have 1; precisely half an hour.
When time fits in that happy way it is
evident we meet for purpose"
''You were going to speak," said l.
''about your life.'
True" he said. "If l seem to talk
too much, forgive me on the ground
that l so seldom have the opportunity
now of speaking in my own way" 1
begged him to make no apology. He
eyed me kindly, and think he had an
impulse to shake hands with me. He
refrained. however.
81 have not always" he said, "dined
in this kind of place, but no reverse of
fortune could ever serve to make me
resent my destiny. When 1 tell YOU
that l am happy ask you to believe
it candidly."
told him that was ready to accept
any statement he was pleased to make.
MANY years ago." he continued, 81
took my degree at Cambridge 1t was
only a pass degree, but it was good
enough to please my people. 1 had a
turn for geology and worked hard.
Then l broke down." He tapped his
chest. "You understand he asked.
/ nodded.
Il was sent to Switzerland. There 1
managed to pick up enough strength to
make me face the future again; but
just as was ready to work my father
died. His affairs were not involved:
there was, indeed, nothing but the sim
p1est issue. He had lived almost up to
the last pound of his income; when he