The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-04-19

hind the counter, was Sandie himself, older.
grimmer, but neat and clean as usual As
entered he was measuring out pound OF
moist sugar for barefooted servant lassie
in petticoat and short gown.
Mr.. Macpherson said, when he had
done.
He looked up and our eyes met 1
in a moment that he recognized me- but his
face remained grim as granite and his eye
was cold as ice.
II smiled and prepared to hold out my
hand.
My name is Carlyle, Thomas Carlyle. Do
you mind meg
He looked at me from head to foot. His
eye rested on my old cloak my broad
brimmed hat, and he nodded darkly as he
81 mind We well enough. Can serve ye
with anything?'
and thought should like 10 remind you
Of our old acquaintanecship.'
As 1 spoke Sandy proceeded leisurely
opened his till and looked into IL; took
down piece Of loaf sugar and began
breaking 1t into small portions He gave a
sort of grunt as i finished my address to
him and nodded again; then. after a pause,
while stood hesitating, he observed quiet
ly, surveying me critically from head 10
you're staying up in London, hearg'
Yes
You're what they call a leeterary man.
moor
"'Just So I replied, smiling good-na-
turedly, but feeling rather ashamed.
+" 'Atweel,' said Sandie, refectively, as he
swept UP his pieces OF sugar and put them
into large JAR -atweel, London's big
place, and they call IL the center of civiliza-
ton; but'-here he shut the lid of the jar
sharply-'mony things please the folk in
London that wouidna gang doom In Glas-
govt
What he meant 1 could hardly gather; IL
was a mere general reflection. but 1 felt
somewhat that il had a personal applica-
ton. A long pause ensued. / stood awk-
wardly waiting in front of the counter, but
| sandie did not seem inclined to further
conversation. At last. feeling rather UNI
comfortable. determined TO put an end to
the interview.
We'll, I'll wish you good morning. I
said. moving to the shop door
Good morning, srunted Sandie, not
raising his eyes from his desk and ledger,
! to which he had just gone.
81 walked out OF the shop indignant at
| the mans imperturbability. CHANGING back
| quietly regarding me over his ledger-and
| smiing-just as IL had smiled when / saw
| him reading my first effort in literature.
He was certainly quite irreconcilable;
''I thought to have my revenge on Sandie
at last. the day they made me lord rector
of the University of Glasgow.
More proud and exultant than you can
| think, I went down to my natal city to de-
| liver the rectorial address. / was an old
man by this time and had a great name all
/ over the world. Such a reception as thev
gave me, AS / stood In the large hall with
| the professors and citizens around me the
students in their thousands cheering me,
| fine ladies in the galleries smiling down
upon me, / felt that 1 had reached the
height of my ambition. 1 addressed them
| like man inspired. spoke of NV early
days: my struggles. my fondness for the
die of splendid peroration when all Of a
sudden became conscious OF mans face
10 al fba lnte ens up at me- One mans face
too well-grim, cold, hard as granite VET
with kind of plying smile upon it-whose
race could 1t be but the one had dreaded
all my HE? The words went out OF INV
head and L ended feebly. sitting down int
my chair with a sigh of relief when 7 hsd
noInmns g. .so The next day there were
the long report something to this effect.
AT this point of his discourse. alludine 20
ms early days in this city. Mr. Carlyle was
10 witness, and he almost broke down hut
amid the loud cheering of his enor,ons
cent addr me at last concluded his magnifi-
And touching emotionr They little Lnss:
tnat my speech was nearly ruined nv ~
sinister influence of Sandie Macpherson.
Inc great man paused, half amused bslf
angry at the remembrance of his odd 90
Perence- Reaching out his hand, he took
uown pipe from the mantel piece filled
ana lit IL, and smoked for some ninn,es -,
silence, with his sad eyes fixed tnon ,ha
nre. l sat watching him reyerentiy and
Il never saw Sandie again after thar
ABOUT a. year ago. however an old
Irlend.' minister OF the kirk coming on a
visit from Glasgow, informed me thai nv
FORMER schooifellow, who was one OF his
congregation. had recently died. Nv frie,d
mao Deen with him frequently during his
10 Illness l asked not without anxiety.
IL the poor fellow had Remembered me 80
My friend smiled.
Oh, yes: he remembered Won vvellr -.
replied, and only a few DAYS before NJ
| death he spoke about YOU ms
| carelessly. sdio'
Shall give you his very words7, askaa
| my friend, laughing merrily
" Certainly
| They are telling me-" he said. ..tha,
Carlyle has just written another hoor
Lord, minister. surely this world has s~one
clean daft. What can folks see in susS y
silly sumph as your" 'a q
so Sandie passed away" concluded the
oid philosopher. and now. whatever han
| pens TO me. know that my career nns,
De considered failure. for the one dressn
O. my T2xlstence-to make an impression on
possible forever" 49,