The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1903-12-26

On recovering my senses, I hasten
ed to quit place where hoped
there was nothing further to detain
me. 1 first filled my pockets with
gold, then fastened the strings Of
the purse round my neck, and con-
cealed 1t in my bosom. I passed
unnoticed out Of the park. gained
the high road, and took the way to
the town. AS was thoughtfully
approaching the gate, 1 heard some
one behind me exclaiming. young
man! young man! you have lost your
shadow" l turned, and perceived an
old woman calling after me. "Thank
you, my good woman" said /; and
throwing her a piece of gold for her
well-intended Information, 1 stepped
under the trees. At the gate, again,
it was my fate to hear the sentry
inauiring where the gentleman had
left his shadow: and Immediately 1
heard a couple of women exclaiming.
'Jesu Maria! the poor man has no
shadow" All this began to depress
me, and l carefully avoided walking
an the sun; but this could not every
where be the case, for in the next
broad street had to cross and. I'M
fortunately for me, at the very hour
In which the boys were coming out
of school. a humpbacked lout of a
fellow see him yet-soon made the
discovery that l was without a
shadow. and communicated the news,
with loud outcries. to knot of young
urchins. The whole swarm proceeded
Immediately to reconnoitre me, and to
pelt me with mud. People" cried
they. ARE generally accustomed to
take their shadows with them when
they walk In the sunshine
In order to drive them away I
threw gold ny handfuls among them,
and sprang into hackney-coach
which some compassionate spectators
sent to my rescue.
AS soon as / found myself alone in
the rolling vehicle I began to weep
bitterly. 1 had by this time a mis-
giving that, in the same degree in
which gold in this world prevails
over merit and virtue, by so much
ones shadow excels gold: and now
that / had sacrificed my conscience
for riches, apd given my shadow in
exchange for mere gold. what on
earth Would become of me?
AS the coach stopped at the door
of my late inn. l felt much per-
picked. and not at all disposed to
enter so wretched an abode. l called
for my things and received them with
an air of contempt. threw down a
few gold pieces, and desired to be
conducted to first-rate hotel. This
house had northern aspect, so that
I had nothing to fear from the sun.
dismissed the coachman with gold I:
asked to. be conducted to the best
apartment, and locked myself up in
1t as soon as possible.
Imagine. my friend. what I then set
about? q my dear ChamIsso! even TO
thee I blush to mention what fol-
lows.
drew the Inflated purse from my
bosom: and. In a sort of frenzy that
Tageu like n SelI-Ieu nfe W1tnln me,
I took out ld-gold--gold--mor
and more. till l strewed it on the
floor trampled upon 1t. and feasting
on its very sound and brilliancy.
added coins to coins. rolling and
revealing. on the gorgeous bed. until
j sank exhausted.
Thus passed away that day and
evening; and as my door remained
locked. night found me still lying on
the gold, where. at last. sleep over
powered me.
Then I dreamed OF thee, and fancied
stood behind the glass door of thy
little room. and saw thee seated at
thy table between skeleton and II
bunch OF dried plants; before thee
lay open the works OF Halter, Hum
boldt. and Linnaeus; on thy sofa a
volume of Goethe. and the Enchanted
Ring. l stood a long time contem-
plating thee. and everything in thy
apartment; and again turning my
gaze upon thee perceived that thou
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