Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1903-02-10


This was what Rossiter loved.
The city meant nothing to him but
miserable failure, but the free air
of the country carried with it GER
tain peace of spirit, and for the most
part a large forgetfulness. During
the three years of his wanderings
the virus of vagabondage had so per-
meated his every fiber that he rarely
longed for the existence he had once
known. When he was candid with
himself he admitted that it was an
irreparable blot upon his manhood
that he did not strive to rise from
the slough into which his own weak
ness had dragged him. At rare in
tervals, when thoughts of re-entering
the struggle came to him, there was
always the old weakness to combat,
the realization that not twice but
thrice he had played fast and loose
with his chances in the world, and so
he allowed himself to drift. There
WAS nothing inherently bad in Rossi-
ter's nature: there was no dishonor to
be laid at his door. Ii he had assumed
something of the uncouth manners
and familiarized himself with the
low language of the men with whom
he frequently associated, these were
surface matters, things which, if oc-
casion demanded, would be sloughed
MS snake drops it's skin. Weak
though he was, and reckless though
ne had been when fortune was his,
back Of all was fineness that those
who came into anything like init
mate contact with him could but no.
tice: The lack of mothers love
and guidance, and mistaken gener=
psity and q subsequent obtuse in
sistence on the part of his father,
accounted for much in the wreck
he had made of everything to which
ne had put his hand. Rosa with
a keen artistic sense, endowed with
considerable real literary talent, his
lilings had always been made light
of at home, and when it came to the
choice of a career he had that forced
upon him for which he had positive
distaste.
Then his father died; a consider
able amount of money fell to him;
false friends fattered and caioled;
and very soon he was penniless. His
elder brother helped him, to a pesi=
ton, but though he did his best, his
apparent Indifference brought about
his dismissal. His sisters husband
now tried to give him lift, but the
recipient soon discovered that he
was q hindrance rather than an aid,
and 50 one night, returning from his
work discouraged and embittered,
and being reproached by his sister
for his general uselessness, he went
to his room, put few traps to-
gether, slung them upon a stout cane
over his shoulder, and walked out
into the darkness, from that hour 4
yagabond, wandering whittier fancy
led, now working at this or that, now
begging, suffering sometimes, but not
without certain enjoyment in life,
vastly happier than he had been
when he felt himself dependent on,
and q reproach to, those who We're
his nearest of kin. Such was the
story of this ne'er-do-well, story
of weakness, of folly, Of Needless
ness, but not one of crime or of dis
honor.
Having settled himself to his salts
faction under the lofty elm, Ros-
sitter opened the bundle he had cast
by his side--a dilapidated change of
underwear, pair of socks, vest
and an outing shirt-and extracted
briar-wood pipe Of cheap make
and q small piece of smoking-plug
From the tobacco he cut with miser-
bowl, and having lighted it leaned
back with a sigh of comfort. 1t was
the first indulgence of the kind he
had allowed himself for several days,
and the fact that he was permitting
himself to enjoy so epicurean pleas
ure at this morning hour indicated
that something of unusual moment
was occupying his mind.
After having blown, to his intense
satisfaction, two or three fragrant
clouds into the warm September air,
he took from his pocket q square
envelope, from which he drew let
ter. This he spread out before him
upon one knee. 1t read in this wise:
Dear Philip: 1 have heard from your
former friend. Everson, that you have
again been seen in or near Kalamanti
and I am sending this enclosed in a
note to him in the hope of reaching you
For the sake of our dead father and
mother for your sake, and for the sake
of us all, I want you to come back foi
another trial. VIII you not? On the Isl
of October the Evening Star passes into
the hands of an acquaintance of mine
George Agnew. who intends making
some sweeping changes In the staff
Recalling some sketches and skits you
once wrote which received much pleas.
ant comment, and the leanings you
formerly had towards literature, which
father very unfortunately and injudi.
eiously, I now believe) so insistently dis
eouraged, I spoke of you to Mr.. Agnew
who has very generously offered to give
you a chance on the paper October /
as 1 said above Is the date when the
change in management takes place. anl
IT, by good fortune, you receive this let
ter, beg that you will not allow thi:
(perhaps lasD opportunity to retrieve
yourself to slip from you. 1 hope tina
you will believe me still your affection
ate brother,
ARCHIBALD RossITER.
'It's mighty good of Archie" com
mented the wanderer, "a blamed
sight too good! ! don't deserve it
I'd probably make a mess of it, jus,
as I have of everything else bu
this" and he glanced down at hi.
worn and dusty shoes, and at hi: