Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1902-05-09
JUST INSTINCT.

Fate was cat, and Leonard HelT1c
was q mouse. There had been some rar
sport, but Herrick was Of the opinio
that it could not last much longer. Fl
had run this way and that way, and
thousand times he had fancied that h
was going to escape. But always tn
velvet paws, with the long, sharp claw
springing out of them, had caught hir
Just in time. So at last he lay still
painting, not knowing which way t.
turn.
He was in big city, all alone. TIL
people who rushed by him We're like tn
thoughts that whirled through his brazil
they were shadows, and the everlast
ing train of them had no beginning O
end He could not distinguish the rea
men and women whom he saw from
those whom he merely remembered
Now and again there appeared in tn,
throng the faces of the dead. He did no
mind those. But there were others thai
he shrank from.
He stood with his back against the
iron fence in front of Trinity church.
Herrick's hands were in his pockets.
He crumpled a cracking piece of paper,
which meant that he could live several
days longer if he cared to do so. AS tc
more extended future, he could not
picture it. All the lines of his life seem.
ed to end in knot which could by no
means be united, but must merely be
dropped. He remembered that there
were miracles, but he could not think
of one to wish for.
He crossed Broadway and walked
down Wall street, slowly and with hest.
tation, for he had no errand. A voice
cried, "Cab, sir!" almost in his ear. He
turned and looked up at the man on the
box.
SIS it possible" he said to himself,
"that still look like gentleman
He felt toward the cabman as toward
one who had given him helping hand.
Why not pay the debt? To do SO would
cost him only day of his life. He had
a IS bill in his pocket.
Eyes, " he said. "Take me up to the
Fifth Avenue hotel"
1t was the first place that had come
into his mind He got into the cab and
snapped the door. The cushioned seat
and the comfortable support for his head
were very refreshing. A fancy came to
him that he would dine decently and
then 60 to theater. The extravaganza
would be trifiing, for it was really Of
small Importance whether he starved tc
death on Sunday or the following
Wednesday. He was in mood to make
jest of it all
A strong glare from an electric light
struck down into the carriage and made
visible to him a package in brown pa
per that looked as If it might be q sand
witch. The object protruded from under
the seat. He thought it must be the
supper which had been hidden
in some small locker and had fallen
upon the floor. The idea that the food
should be spoiled was disagreeable to
and SO he picked up the little
brown bundle.
1t was smaller than he had supposed,
and it did not feel like bread But had
1t been food and he at the last pang of
the touch of it would not
have sent such thrill through all his
frame.
He knew that the contents of that
package were money. 1t felt like mass
Of bills folded, awkwardly wrapped up
aud fastened with elastic bands. .
the brown covering Herrick
Gould feel the crispness of the govern
nent paper. The amount might be a
poor mans monthly wages or rich
mans profit on great transaction.
As to his own conduct in this matter,
derrick had no doubt whatever. Fate
had thrown this money into his hands,
md fate might take it way, but not if
lie could hold on tightly enough His
ingers trembled as he picked at the
Elastic bands Suddenly and without
lis knowing why the rubber strings
-anished with loud snap that startled
lim, and the package sprang open on
lis knees. He caught fash of green
olor, and then the cab rolled out Of
light into shadow.
1t seemed long time before another
light struck in upon him. At the mo-
nent when it did so he saw face close
0 the cab door, and he lodged back,
overing the bills with his hands. But
he chance passenger on the street saw
othing. He was thinking of his own
fairs no doubt and had no inkling Of
he strange thing that passed so close to
is eyes.
Herrick was himself again in mo-
lent, and he bent forward, eagerly
canning the bills in his hands and
bunting them feverishly. There were
0 of them and each was of the denomi-
alton of 81 600
Throughout the later period of the
Dung mans misfortunes he had had
1bstantially but one wish-to rest.
.est has many forms, suited to vast
ariety of individual tastes. To Herrick
/ his day dreams it had always taken
le form of travel without care. All
aths lie open for man who has $40,-
90, and there is no reason why care !
lould sit behind him as he rides.
Herrick had only the most shadowy
fought for the person who had lost this {
loney. He did not even speculate upon c
lie manner of its loss. 1t had passed
ito the control of one who needed it, .
ld that was enough.
He disposed the notes in his pockets Z
the best interests of comfort and safe I
:. Then he folded up the brown paper 9
I'd pocketed that also, with dim con- {
"a