The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-02-06
AN .ALLEaoRY.
It is Applicable to All Times and in
 All Places.

It is Applicable to All Times and in
 All Places.
 Brooklyn Eagle.
 Perhaps I was not fully awake. though distinctly heard the coughing of the wind outside and an occasional sharp hiss as 1t gashed itself on the jagged edge of a broken pane In my garret window. The tall dead tree beside the house moaned as 1t swayed and stretched forth a long. sapless arm to scratch the trusted caves through with grating finger tips Shivering, I drew the tattered covers closer about me. It was wild, unearth- ly night. and I shriveled. cold. hungry Perhaps 1t was natural that 1 should feel strange things in the darkness and the solitude.
 Be that as 1t may. I was conscious of a presence beside my bed-a terrible, re. proachful presence. It was minutes be- fore dared to speak. and when did my voice seemed to come with . far-of hollow sound, as if from the depths of g dank and stihing cavern.
 Who are your 1 asked.
 T am Tomorrow" the presence an. swered. 'I am come for . settlement with you"
 with me3 What have I ever done to you?"
 ''Listen!' said Tomorrow. Wears ago when you had youth and strength and plenty, you laid your burdens upon me while you and Today frittered away your time in idle pleasures. tolerated it then, hoping you would come to see the folly of it; but occasional practice grew to be your daily habit. For ages had follow ed Today, loving her as a sister. faithful to her as . willing slave. loved you. too. and would have showered fame and fortune upon you. but ever you hardened to the seductive voice of Today and took your ease with her. leaving your load for me to bear. We'll. I have borne it-pa- tiently until now. But the time has come for you and Today to bear your share. I will be your slave no more.'
 raised myself to my elbow.
 Do not speak," said Tomorrow sharp ly. "I know what you would say. have heard your promises and seen them broken. Even now. with Starvation sit ting on your stairs, you are seeking some excuse for putting yet another burden upon me. Shall I call Starvation up?" Tomorrow moved toward the door.
 No. mo-" I cried mot that'
 ''Will you ret up now and do your work7'
 Tt Is so cold" pleaded. ESQ cold and cheerless. It will be warmer and bright CT in the morning. I can work better then"
 Tomorrow raised the latch. T am go- ing" she said sadly. T will leave the door unlocked"
 sprang from bed and listened at the stairs. There were two voices-one tear full, the other savagely eager.
 T will go to york; I called into the darkness below: ''I will take up my bur den"
 "Nowr' It was the voice of Tomorrow
 Yes, now-this minute,'' I answered.
 It was hard to begin the task had so long deferred--trebly hard because my hands were numb with cold. my ink was pale with freezing and my candle burned so low that could hardly see the words I wrote. But what I did faithfully at first was soon doing earnestly and joy ously. Interest warmed my blood and made my task a revel
 At last my candle fiickered and splut- tered and went out But the warm sun rose cheerfly over the eastern ridge and the dismal night was gone.
 Then came Hope, smiling in at my win- dow and whispering sweet words:
 Work on! Work on!' she said. ''To- morrow loves you still She will reward you."