The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-05-14
From the Face of Fear.
BY EDGAR wELToN COOLEY.
Copyright, 1902, by Daily story Pub. Co.

-NS"psAts"t' i''~' W DehS o'"fs N'' ~''
The stars peered through the window
at the man, and the man gazed at the
stars. And betwcsn the m hung the ebony
curtains of night.
The man was portly and well groomed
There were diamonds or his fingers and
upon his cravat. There were gold coins
in his pockets. But in his cold, gray
dun lines of anguish.
Through so years of life Jacob Winslow
had journeyed, over the rough, weari-
some ss road q endeayor: up the steep. hard
sunlight of success. he had wandered
through the gardens of fame and wealth
and popularity, laughing. singing as he
went. And at last he had come face to
upon his throat-fingers that were tight
cring, tightening, tightening.
Experts TN medicine and surgery, with
out number, he haG consulted. travelling
miles of his own railroads. One and all
had placed their ears over mis- art; had
tested the organ with delicate instrn-
merits. And all had said: 1.-THE end Is
Tomorrow-next day-ten years hence.
No man knows. But the end Is just be-
yond."
Then it was that the man saw the face
of Fear; then it. was that Remorse came
to him out of the shadows. And he sat
looking. out at the stars and repeating.
The end is just beyond; but the past
God! the past.
Two. three. four hours went by ard
he never stirred When, al last. he did
arise. he drew himself to his full height.
A smile was upon his face-a sad smile.
but smile--and in his eyes was the
CLEAN Of hope. For he had decided.
So he disrcbed. humming a tuEe of his
childhood, and lay down upon his couch
to gaze, calmly. at the darkness. AMI
no longer did he see the face of Fear.
The magnate reclned in his easy chair
before his mahogany desk, thinking
A door. opposite opened and man
entered, timid1y-a man In threadbare
garments. And as the magnate glanced
at the visitor his face paled and he
clutched the desk before him with ner-
vous hands.
You sent for me. Mr.. winslow@ falt-
cred the man In threadbare clothes.
Dumbly the magnate motioned to a
chair and the other sat down, fumblins
his faded cap and watching tiny flame
that sprang from amid the ash on the
magnate's face and spread slowly until
his face was all aglow and his eyes
cleaned with an intense brightness.
Then the, lips of the Magnate moved
and he spoke.
ago you were a workman-a good work
man-in my shops, and | discharged you.
You we're receiying-and earning-twenty
week then. / have ascertaned exactly
what you have been able to earn since.
1T has not been much
mo SIR" replied the other, humbly,
ut has not been much. Times have been
hard. sir-very hard"
The Msgnate turned abruptly to his
desk and took up a slip of paper.
Here. Lumann.' he said. quaver in
his voice, here Is check for the differ
ence,"
Bswildered. the mar reached forth his
hand and took the paper. But he did not
speak.
And, Lumann," continued the Mag
nate, after a pause, you may report to
me tomorrow morning. | desire to APP
poii:t you foreman in the boiler shop.
ton today, Lumann. if If | had not
dismissed you
Il do not understand, sir the man
In the threadbare garments fatered,
pathetic thankfuness In his voice, J.
No" the Magnate cried. suddenly. the
fire burning anew in his eyes. you do
not understand. But listen: | have seen
God, Lumanp. | have seen the face of
fear ieering at me from out the glooms
that encompass me- Frightened | have
turned and ned backward along the path
way of my misspent life. And | have
come to place where heavy shadow
lays across the road. And In the dark
ness of this shadow-the shadow of my
own infamy-I have paused. Lumann,
paused and trembled. And have seen
a mans face-your face-furrowed with
the lines of despair. but stoical, resigned,
accomplishing, bow humbiy at my I'M
just command. I have seen your form,
bent with the labor YOU had faithfully
performed for me, move heavily along a
road to a humble home where a woman
waited-a woman with trustful eyes. |
havo seen her put her arms around your
neck, and have seen you bow
your head, and have heard YOU
moan, God help us. Mary: God help us
now" have heard the ring of hope in
her voice, but have seen the hearthreak
in her eyes. | have seen you searching
for understanding day after day. and |
God forgive me-, Lumann! I have seen
the hunger on the faces of the children
Now do you understand"
The man in the threadbare garments
arose and stood a moment, awkwardly
fumbhng his cap.
II understand" he said finally, and
and thank you; thank you for myself