Evening star., 1901-11-09

Protestant. Some of them are poor and
would resent the mere suggestion OF CIV
ing help. Friends? Yes, 1 had friends at
Trinity, but they are mostly penniless like
myself. When all have to make their way
IT. the world. what compassion or assist
ance can one who fails expect? He is like
man wounded on the field of battle ana
left to die.
rs your father living?"
The young man shook his head sadly.
He died. He built so many hopes upon
me that / thank God he has not lived to
see my desitution.''
you are. then. quite friendless?"
'Quite-so far as asking assistance. IL
were successful 1 should find scores OF
friends of my old set at Trinity who would
rally round me. l can ask no one for as
sistance. If / could borrow / have no Sc
curity And, besides, the costs, in such
case as mine, go on growing of their own
accord. The attorney sits at his desk aad
watches them they grow. The costs in
such place as this are like the bramblas
which grow and spread until they cover
the whole ground Still, it is, as you say,
poor thing to represent a life long-or a
life short-of captivity. At the last day
shall make answer and say. Il have done
no work. My talent was taken from me
and buried in napkin. I have been for
content and rebellion against the strokes
of Fate. And all, as you say. for 25 gum
cas-, with attorneys costs. He will not get
those costs paid. That is some consola-
ton"
"a poor consolation The lady's eyes
were visible behind her mask; they were
soft and limpid eyes and they were filed
with tears.
1T was really shameful on the masters
side to confess that one was kept here for
q debt so trifiing. Twenty-Five guineas!
Nay, they pride themselves on the extent
of their debts A man who is detained for
thousands is leader here by right of his
extensive liabilities. Outside wealth COM
mands respect; here it is the amount of a
mans debts. On the Poor Side there Is no
such pride; we are all detained for small
amounts-beggarly, as the turnkey said.''
Debt, with costs, no more than seventy
five pounds. Mr.. Mcnamara, l fear that l
should be doing you grievous injustice
II We're to saddle you with my debts
Not at all, madam. In the first place l
should repoice to be of service to a lady so
soft-hearted and so full of mercy as your
self. In the next place, your offer assures
me a sufficiency of food. Do not think too
meany of me when 1 confess that for food
l would put away from me the last rags of
pride and self-respect."
Sir, l cannot think meanly of you. ]
think of you with so much pity. Sir. it is
impossible. 1 will not load you with my
debts. l retract my offer. l will not ac-
cept of you as husband, even in name and
title only. 1t is too great burden of hui
miliation to lay upon your shoulders"
The young man silent. He glanced
| at his bare feet and his ragged gown. LAS
| you will, madam. have at least conversed
| once more with a gentlewoman. l thank
| you. And l will go back to the Poor Side
| He rose and bowed low. Il thank you
| madam, for your compassion
Stay sir. One moment. Is your creditor
| quite hopeless?"
He is quite hopeless"
| Even if l refuse to do you this injustice
the cruelty-of making your Imprisonment
| lifelong without counting your private de-
| tainer?"
| Madam, there is no hope for me-"
4 I'D will h1 nlZ tn
| How will you live?"
Il do not know, madam"
| "You will have insufficient food. The
winter will come on. You will have no fire
| no bed-no covering. Alas, sir, alas, wha1
will you do?'
He smiled-a cold, wintry smile. Madam
| he said. there is a splendid bed large
| enough to accommodate us ALL not far dowr
| the road. 1t is parish bed Those who
! lie in 1t feel neither heat nor cold. They
| 60 barefoot they want no clothes; they
| want no food. They are nameless and nc
! one inquiries for them. The feet of the
| people pass daily beside their bed, but they
| hear nothing; no one looks after them
| they lie asleep and they are forgotten
| They want no pity, madam-not even thai
| of your kind heart. and they ask not to bt
| mum bered. Forget me, madam Let ms
| go on-that bed waits to receive me and al
| my ragged friends on the Poor Side
Again he bowed, and would have gone out
| but the lady stopped him again
(To be continued)