The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1902-08-24

ness-made a fortune az yt-raY1ed for
an unfortunate reason. and went .up
| the hume Paid every dollar that he
owed, however, sacrificing the very
nome that sheltered his wife and chill
oren-Dut never rallied. He had cuita
IaInlIy, then? Oh, yes; had a family
not large one, but a bright one
Only they all seemed more or less I'M
fortunate. The father was unfortunate
very; defd so, leaving his wife and
Two boys-the older son much like the
tdthef-SpieHdfd business capacities
put lacked will-couldn't resist some
things-even weaker than the father IN
I1at regard, and died at half his age.
But the younger brother-our Mr.
CIark-remained, and he was sterling
straight goods" in all respects. Lived
With his mOther-was her sole sunnort
a proud woman, Mrs. CIark-a proud
woman with a browen spirft-with
Drawn entirely from the world. and has
oeen so for years and years. The
Clarks, as had been mentioned. were an
pecular-even the younger Mr.. Clark.
our friend, had doubtless noticed was
an odu genius. but he had stamina
something solid about him, for all his
eccentr1cities-could be relied upon.
Had been with the house there since a
boy or l2-took him for the fathers
sake; mad never missed a days time
In any line of work that ever had baen
given in his charge-was weaklv-Ioolx-
ing, too. Had worked his way from +i,a
ceHar up-from the least pay to the
nlghest-had saved enough to buy and
pay for a comfortable house for his
mother and himself. and. still a lad.
maintained the expense of companion.
attendant and maid-servant for the
mother. Yet with all this burden on
ms shoulders, the boy had worried
through some way, with jolly smile
and a good word for every one. "A
boy, sir the enthusiastic senior con-
cluded-''a boy, sir, that never was a
boy, and never had a taste of genuine
ooyhood in his Iife-no morp than ne
ever took taste of whisky, and yol
couldn't get that in him with a fun
nel!"
At this juncture Mr.. Clark himself
appeared, and in particularly happy
frame OF mind. For an hour the de-
lighted senior and myself sat laughing
at the fellows quaint conceits and wiz
ty sayings, the conversation at last
breaking Up with an abrupt proposition
from Mr.. Clark that 1 remain i'm the
city over night and accompany him TO
the theatre, an invitation l rather
eagerly accepted. Mr.. Clark, thanking
me, and pivoting himself around on his |
high stool, with q mechanical Good /
his books. while the senior, following
me out and stepping into a carriage |
that stood waiting for him at the curb. |
waved me adieu. and was driven away. |
L turned my steps up street, but re- !
membering that my friend had fixed |
no place to meet 1ne in the evening. / /
stepped back into the storeroom ana |
again pushed open the glass door Of the !
office.
Mr.. Clark still sat on the high stool /
at his desk, his back toward the door.
and his ledger spread out before him.
Mr.. Clark 1 called.
He made no answer
Mr.. Clark" 1 called again, in an
elevated key.
He did not stir.
1 paused a moment, then went over
TO MIN, letting my hand drop lightly
On his arm.
Still no response. I only felt the
shoulder heave, as with a Iong-drawn
Iuavering sigh, then heard the regu-
ar though labored breathing of a
weary man that slept.
l had not the heart TO waken him; !
DQt. lifting the still moistened pen !
rom his unconscious fingers. L wrote
where / might be found at that even
ng. folded and addressed the note. and.
aging 1t on the open page before him.
turned quietly away.
Poor man." 1 unused, compassion
itely, with a touch of youthful senti-
nent affecting me. Poor man. Work
ng himself into his very grace, and |
With never a sign or murmur of com
and weighed down with
he burden of his work, and vet with
nobleness of spirit and resolve that
till cOnceals behind glad smiles and
aughing words the cares that lie so
heavily upon him."
The long afternoon went by at last.
nd evening Games and. as promptly
IS my note requested, the joviaI Mr..
lark appeared. laughing heartily, as
We walked off down the street, at my
EXPLANATION of the reason had writ
en- my desires instead of verbally adj
ressing him; and laughing still louder .
Ehen 1 told him of my fears that he
vas overworking himself
"Oh, no. my friend"i he answered
ayly; there's no occasion for anS-
ETY. on that account. But the fact is !
Id man, he went on. half APOLOGIZE !
ally, the fact is, l haven't been so ] !
VerWorked. of late, as overwakefIlI ;
,here's something in the night. / think
nat does It Do you know that the !
lSht Is great mystery to me-a great :
lysteTy. And it seems to be growing :
n me all the time. There's the from A..
he. The night TO me is like some vast
lcomprehensible being. When 1 write :
ne name night I instfnctivelv write !
with capital. And / like nv nights :
eep. and dark and swarthy. dou'tSvo,, ,
now Now some like clear and starry p
lights; but they're too pale for me- q
20 weak and fragile altogetber., n
heyre popular with the masses, Of y