The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-11-30
AT ZEKESBURY-
BY JAMES wHlrcoMs RILEY.

ship, and never cracked a smile Al
ways after each other that way. but the
best friends in the world. sweeneyss
strong suit is elocution. He has a native
ability that way by no means ordinary.
but even that gift he abuses and dis
torts simply to produce grotesque. and
oftentimes ridiculous effects. For in
stance nothing more delights him than
to lothfully' consent to answer a request
at the Mite Society, some evening for
an appropriate selection and then, with
an elaborate Introduction of the same,
and an exalted tribute to the refined ge-
Mus of the author, proceed with a most
grueson:e rendition of 'Alcnzo the Brave
and the Fair Imogene,' in a way to coag-
ulate the blood and curl the hair of his
fair listeners with abject terror. Pale as
corpse, you know, and with that ca
oaverous face lit with those malignant
| looking eyes, his slender figure, and his
| long, thin legs and arms and hands, and
/ his whole diabolical talent and adroitness
| brought into play-why, / want to say to
you. it's enough to scare 'em to DEATH
Never a smile from him, though till he
and Hedrick are safe eht into the night
| again-then. of course, they hug each
other and howl over 1t like Modocsl But
pardon; I'm interupting the lecture Lis
ten"
"A lack of continuity. however" con-
tinued the professor, and undue love
Of appreciation. would, measurably. at
least. tend to retard the young mans
progress toward the contamination of any
loftier ambition, / fear; yet as we have
intimated, II the subject were appropri-
ately educated to the needs demand, he
could doubtless produce a high order OF
both prose and poetry-especitlly the lat
| ter-though he could very lily bear being
laughed at for his palms,
He's dead wrong there" said my
friend; .Hedriclx enjoys being laughed at;
| he's used to it-gets fat on it,
rs fond of his friends" continued the
professor land the heartier they are the
better; might even be convivially inclined
If so tempted-but prudent-in a degree"
| loiteringly concluded the speaker, as
though unable to find the exact bump
with which to bolster up the last named
| attribute
The subject blushed-my friends right
eyelid dropped. and there was a noticea-
BILE though elusive sensation throughout
the audience
Butt said the professor explosively,
Selecting directly opposite subject, in
conjunction with the study of the one
before us burning to the group at the
rear of the stage an beckoning), we may
find newer interest in the practical
comparison of these subjects side by
pale young man into position.
Sweeney" whispered my friend, de-
lightedly; ''now look out!'
I'm this subject" said the professor
I'VE find the practical business head.
Square-though small-a trile light at the
base, in fact; but well balanced at the
important points at least; thoughtful
eyes wide-awake- crafty quick rest
less-a policy eye, though not denoting
language-unless, perhaps mere business
forms and direct statements"
I FOOLED againi" whispered my friend;
"and I'm afraid the old man will fail to
nest out the fact also that Sweeney is
the cold-bloodedest guyer on the face of
the earth, and with more diabolical re-
sources than a prosecuting attorney; the
professor ought to know this, too. by this
time-for these same two chaps have been
visiting the old man in his room at the
hotel ;-thats what I was trying to tell
you awhile ago The old sharp thinks
he's playing the boys, is my idea; but
it's the other way. or I lose my guess"
| Now, under the mesmeric influence-if
the two subjects will consent to its ad-
ministration," said the professor, after
| some further tedious preamble, 1--WE may
| at once determine the fact by my asser-
| tions, as will be proved by their action
| while In this peculiar state" Here some
apparent remonstrance was met with
overcome by the professor first manipu-
lating the stolid brow and paid front OF
the imperturbable Sweeney-after which
the same mysterious ordeal was lothfully
submitted to by Hedrick-though a notice.
ably longer time was consumed In Sc
curing his final loss of self-control. At
last, however, this curious phenomenon
was presented, and there before us stood
| the two swaying figures. the heads drop
! ped back, the lifted hands, with thumbs
and finger-tips pressed lightly together
! the eyeids languid and half closed, and
the features in appearance, wan and
| humid.
Now, sirr' said the professor. leading
the limp Sweeney forward, and address,
ing him in a quick, sharp tone of voice.
Now, sir, you are a great contractor
own large factories and with untold bus
mess interests. Just look out there!
| (pointing out across the eXpectant audi
ence) look there, and see the countless
minions toiling servilely at your dread
mandates. And yet-hal hal See! see!
They recognize the avaricious greed
that would thus grind them in the very
dust; they see, alas! they see themselves
Observation-Disclosures that you may glut
your Golfers. Half-starved, they listen to
the wall of wife and babe, and. with eyes
appraised In prayer, they see you rolling
by in a gilded coach, and swathed in silk
are rising in revolt against youi Speak
to them before too 1atel Appeal to them
quell them with the promise of the just
advance of wages they demand!''
The limp figure of Sweeney too on
something of a stately and majestic air.
With a graceful and commanding gest-
ude of the hand he advanced a step or
two; then, after pause of some seconds
duration, in which the lifted face grew
raler. as it seemed. and the eyes a denser
black, he said:
But yesterday
/ looked away
Ger happy lands, where sunshine lay
| In golden blots,
Inlaid with spots
| OF shade and wild forget-me-nots.
The voice was low, but clear, and ever
musical. The professor started at the
| strange utterance, looked extremely con-
fused. and as the boisterous crowd cried
Hear heari' he motioned the subject to
continue, with some easping comment in
| terjected, which, IL audible, would have
run thus: MY God! It's an inspirations
al poeml'
My head was fair
With f1axen hair"
resumed the subject.
''Yoop-eel' yelled an irreverent auditor
''Silencei sience!'' commanded the ex-
cited professor in a hoarse whisper; then
turning enthusiastically to the subject
go on, young man! Go on!-'Thy head
was fair with faxen hair"
/ my head was fair
| With fiaxen hair
An fragrant breezes, faint and rare
| And warm with drouth
From out the south,
| Rievv all nv curls across nv mouth