The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1902-03-01
gelett Story.
THE VISIBLE SOUL
From the Pittsburg Press.

ScCUlOil VI CliS otdeS. AiN 1i'N
his wealth by hard trading and close bar.
gaining Few people could get ahead OF
him; and though it was his frequent re
mark that every dollar he owned was hon
estly made in trade, his customers and his
tenants knew him only as hard man, not
INSCRIPTIONS, but disposed to exact the
last dime At home or in church (tc
which he went occasionally his thoughts
were too much occupied with schemes OF
money making to afford any spare room
for affection or religious feeling. His bus
mess acquaintance rather envied him, a:
one who had conquered the secret OF sue
cess.
The lumber merchant sat in his little
office at the close of an October day. II
had been day full of business and Its
aggravations. He was thinking of going
home, when there suddenly came a rat-tat
at the door
Come in called Mr. Greene, grutfiy.
Oh, it 5 you, Simmons Well now what
wanted?
Mr.. Greene, said the newcomer, 6
sturdy built, honest looking man Of mid
die age, I've come to see if you WON lei
me have another bill of cumbersome
Michigan pine | need for that contract
have on the east side.
No, Simmons, you cant have another
foot of lumber from my yard; that S fiat,
said Mr.. Green, harshly. As soon as you
pay up what you owe, you can get more
not until then.
But, Mr.. Greene, protested, Simmons,
this is serious matter to me. Why, | W
paid you hundreds and hundreds of dol
lars, good money, for your lumber; and "a
soon as this job is through you will be the
first to get your money. You don surel,
mean to say you refuse?
That Just what do mean, snapped
Greene. But I've not time to talk abou
it. You can take your choice; pay u
your last bill, Or 90 without.
1t simply means ruin, that what
does, said the man advancing into tn
room Why, good heavens, Mr.. Greene
you cannot mean what you say 1t woul
DE the nleaneSU-
Get out Numbered the lumber mer
chant, advancing toward him, his hug
bulk quivering with anger. Out of here
| say Your shall never get a foot c
lumber from me as long as live.
Simmons retreated a step or two, then
still with hat in hand, he turned toward
the excited man. Mr. Greene, he sal
in deep tones, may the Lord forgive m
for saying it, but | think you have tn
meanest soul that ever He permitted t
enter into man, and if you could only Sc
it
But his talk was suddenly cut short b
threatening movement Of Mr.. Greene
who pushed him out of the office an
slammed the door violently.
Confound impudence, | call it said tn
lumber merchant, on regaining his seat
Why, hang that fellow, | trusted him an
trusted him. I'm fairly sick Of his win
ming talk and poverty stricken ways. 7
insult me by referring to my soul. Wha
does he know about it, anyway? and h
rose and paced the floor Of the little office
He said had the meanest soul, he unused
But whoever heard Of any one seeing
soul? And then he sat down again, an
rubbed his chin meditatively. He reste
his head upon his hands. Somehow, thos
words burrowed and buzzed in his brain
into shadow and silence.
My soul-well, | wish | could see it.
am sure that fellow is wrong. Anyhow
he knows nothing about it, | wish.
Here | am, piped up little thin voice
somewhere on the floor behind him.
What-what that he askly quickly.
Here | am, repeated the thin voice.
Who? Where?
Right here behind you.
The lumber merchant turned in aston
ishment, and looked in the direction indi
Gated There, in corner, and in tn
shadow of the leather covered lounge, wa
little impish dwarf looking figure, like
shriveled Filipino The merchant shranl
back in amazement.
Who are you anyway? he gasped.
am your soul, piped the black lookin
little imp in the corner.
My soul he shook himself together a
if disbelieving his senses. Utter nonsense
Why, with touch Of this button [ ca
summon policeman
Still | am your soul, said the little blac
one Yours and nobody else's.
How did you come in my office? interro
gated the merchant.
| was permitted to come as you wishe
said the black thing, and | must stay I'm
til the time Of my permission ends.
Confound it persisted Mr.. Greene, yo
don t mean to say that you are going
stick right here, in my office.
Wherever you go, go, piped the voice
I am part Of you and you cannot b
without me.
But, stammered the merchant, with a
inward shudder, how am [ ever to sc
along with you sitting around? He wen
over fearfully toward the door and slippe
the spring lock- Why, this is ridiculous
Everybody who meets us will remark.
No eye but yours can see me, was til
reply from the corner.
Well, that one consolation, said Greene
drawing long breath. My soul! Mine
This is the first anybody ever heard {
such thing.
He touched bell to summon his fore
man.
Half, he said, I'm going home. EN
erything all right?
eyes, sir, replied the foreman.
Well, then, get me a carriage, will yor
Certainly, sir.
1t was with strange trepidation thu
Mr.. Greene buttoned up his coat and close
the door of his office that evening. II
felt somehow as though he was bidding tn
old place goodby and might never com
back. He noted with satisfaction that tn
coach lamps were unlit. Looking dow
he saw, moving lightly by his side, tn
dark, little impish figure. He opened tn
coach door and stepped aside to give tn
soul the right of way, Then he entered
How shall | ever be able to meet Mar
and the girls in this fix? he said. 1t
awful awful ! Something must hav
happened in my brain, and he turned agai