The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1902-11-20
INTO THE FACE
OF FlEA II.

the stars. And between them hung
the ebony curtains of night.
The man was pOrtly and we'll
grOomcL. There were diamonds on
his fingers and upon his cravat. There
were gold coins in his pockets. But in
his cold, gray eyes and around his thin
lips were the dull lines Of anguish.
Through 80 years Of life Jacob
Wipslow had journcycd, over the
rough, wcnrisomc road of cndcavor,
up Ee steep, hard hill of achievement.
AID under the soft sunlight OF sue
cess, he had wandered through the
gardens Of fame and wealth and pop
uluri!Y, laughing. singing as he went.
And at last he had come face to lace
with-Fcarl Death had its fingers
up0n his loat--iuGcrs that were
tightening, Tightening, tightening!
Experts in medicine and surgery,
without number, he had consulted,
travelling in his private car over thou
sands Of miles on his own railroads.
One and all had placed their ears over
his heart; had tested the organ with
delicate Instruments. And all mad
said: "'lhe end is lust beyond. When
will you reach it? Tomorrow-neXt
ycar-tcn years hence. No man
knows. But the end is just hcyond.' "
Then il was that the man saw the
face of Fear; then it was that rcmorsc
came TO him out Of the shadows. And
he sat looking out at the stars and re-.
pcating, "l'hc end is Just beyond; but
the past--Godl the pastn
Two, three, four hours went by and
he never stirred. When, at last, he
did arise, he drew himself 10 his full
height. IL smile was upon his face--a
sad smile, but Il smilc--and in his eyes
was the gicam Of hope. For he had
decided.
SO he disrohcl, humming Il tune of
his childhood, and lay down upon his
couch to gaze, calmly, nt The darkness.
And no longer did he sec The face of
Fear.
The nagnatc rccliucd in his easy
chair before his mahogany desk, think.
ing, thinking, thinking.
a door opposite opened and man
entered, timidly--.a man III thrcadbare
garments, and aS the magnatc glanced
at the visitor, his face palod and he
clutchcd The desk before him with
nervous hands.
"Iou sent for me, Mr.. Wlnsow 90
faltercd the man in thlcaNbarc clothes.
Dnmbiy The magnatr motloncd to Il
chair and the other sat down, fumbllno
his faded CAP and watching a tiny flame
that sprang from anid the ash on the
maynate' : face aud spread SLOWLY until
IL reached 20 The roots Of his hair and
ms face was all ayiOW and his eyes
cleaned with m intense brightness.
Ihrn the lips of the magnatc moved
and he spoke.
"lumann," he said calmly, "livc
years ago y0n were Il workmun--a
go"d workman my shops, and |
discharged you. You were receiving
and earmng--twcnty week then.
nave asccrtaintd exactly what YOU
nave been able 10 earn since. 1t has
not been much."
"No> Sin" replied The other, hum
biy, "li has not been much. Times
nave Dccn hard, Sir--vcry hard"
The magnatc turned abruptly to hi
"rSk and took up slip of paper.
"ilcre, l.umann, ;" he said, uuavo
III his voice, "hcrc is Il check for tn
dillcrcncc.n
Hewildcrcd the man reached fol I'll
ms hand and took tho paper. But h
did not speak.
AND Lumann. )" continued the mag
h"Io, hllcf pause, "you may report {
me tomorrow morning. I desire [
appoint you foreman in the boiler shol
Hou would probably be filling that nc
sltlon today, Iumann, if If ha
not dismissed you.'
81 do not understand, sir" the ma
in the thrcadborc garments faltcred
pathetlc thankfulness IN his voice
"No,' tho magnatc cried, suddonl
inc lire burning anew in his eyes, "yo
10 not understand. But listen: hav
sccl--God! Lumann, | have seen tn
lace OF Fear lcering at me from out th,
Slooms That encompasscd me. Fright
encd, nave turned and fled backward
a!onS the pathway of my mlsspcnt life
ana nave come to q place where {
neaTy shadow lays across the road
ANA III the darkness of this shadow
the shadow of my own infamy-I have
paused, Lumann, paused and trcmblcd
"Eo nave seen a mans facc-vour
iace-~iurrowed with the lines of do.
spar, but stoical, resigned, uuconl.
planning, bow humbly at nv unius,
command. l have seen vour foym
oent with the labor you had faithfnlly
performed for ME, move hoayilv aIony
road to a humble home where a wo.
man Walted-a woman with trns,fu,
eyes. L have seen her put her arms
around your neck, and have seen von w
BOW your head, and have heard you @
moan, God help us, Mary; God 6e1n '
US nowp L have heard the ring T ni
hope in her voice, but have seen tho m
heartbreak in her eyes. | have senn no
you searching for work-searchino dau
after day, and I--God forgive me, In.
mannl I lave seen the hunger on th,
faces Of the children. Now do Won
understand 2''
The man In the threadbare garment,
arose and stood a moment, aWkwardl,
fumbling his cap.
81 understand, - he said finally. uanf
land i thank you:iI thank vou fo,