Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1901-02-07
A HAGITUE OF 1.-THE FOLLY"


ST was not cheerful cafe. but 1t
was near the entrance to The Folly,
q so paused and peered through the
steaming glass. The linen had for
lorn look and the single waiter, so far
as l could judge, must have been per-
picked by the burden of his doubtful
nationality. hut the place seemed quiet,
and pushed my way through tue
swing doors without further thought.
At the far end of the room was a kind
OF raised plat form, with two tables; ut
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 a refuge from doubtful contacts, yet
he had, too, the air OF gentleman
half-submergcd in comfortable squalor.
His dress was untidy, yet worn with Il
certain remnant of distinction, and |
observed that his hands were delicate
and carefully preserved. | took seat
opposite him. and said something about
the condition of the streets.
ut rains:' he queried.
ut drizzles mud" l said; 1.-The pave
ments are damnable."
"Ah" He took Il sip from his glass.
folded his paper and looked ut me.
Then he glauced ut the clock. sighed,
and settled back into his chair. While
! dncd We scarcely spoke two words
together, yet felt myself drawing
closer to the man and my interest trem-
bling on the verge of pity. When l
q. II had Inf fam
we drifted into talk.
"You know this place well. sup
rose? | asked.
Il dine here six nights week. You
see. 1t 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
after ALL" he went OH, "what does it
matter? At the end of every avenue
one sces-what? Death. Now it seems
to me that shall have less to bind me
to life if l dine every night In sur
roundings like these A rich man, a
lover of good vlntages, a brOwser in fat
pastures, has to die for every fancy.
4lC IuulttluiCS WI tuiC anu lCClo OlS0VAu-
ton in every approach of DEATH"
"You have had some experience Of
the world" l said. land have found it
necessary to learn the doctrine Of com.
promise!"
IL have had enough experience to
with stranger" he answered, smil-
ing. land if"-he half emptied his glass
there are any other unhappy turns
of fortune in front of me shall doubt
less meet them half way. never fight;
accept"
He swept his hand across the cloth,
and his tired eyes frightened for a mo-
ment. II can see all my life spread out
before me there He paused and
glanced ut me. but perhaps bore
you," lie said. land you may wish to
60"
~ 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 a purpose"
you were going to speak," said /,
"about your life"
-"True," he said. "If l seem to talk
too much. forgive me OH the ground
that l so seldom have the opportunity
now Of speaking In my own way"
begged him to make no apology. He
eyed me kindly. and think he had an
impulse to shake hands with me. He
refrained. however.
IL 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 l tell you
that | am happy ask you to believe
1t canddly."
told him that was ready to accept
any statement lie was pleased to make.
MANY years ngo." he continued II
took my degree at Cambridge. 1t was
only pass degree but it was good
enough to please my people. l had a
turn for geology and worked hard.
Then broke down." He tapped his
chest. ''You understands he asked.
nodded.
FL was sent to Switzerland. There
managed to pick up enough strength to
make me face the future again: but
just as l was ready to work my father
died His affairs were not involved:
there was. indeed. nothing but the sim
plest issue He had lived almost up to
the last pound of his income; when he