Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1903-04-14

the problems of existence. One by one
l had given them all up, either on my
own account or anOther's. However.
when we had parted from Smith in the
small hours Of the morning | ventured
to ask why West did not lend Smith
enough money to keep him going while
he gave the invention trial.
IF do that" he replied, Smith will
leave the city, and then can't study
him any more. l tell you he's great
character, and must know him
through and through before lose sight
Of him. OF course | know him well
enough now to be sure that he Is man
Of remarkable ability and Of the high
est principle, but | must wait to see
how he will meet the great question
which his unfortunate marriage has
thrust into his life. Will he make
martyr of himself, or will he burst the
bond that holds him down tC slavery
I'm view of the unusual circum-
stances" sail |. would 1t be too great
an intrusion If you should 90 to her and
offer some advice"
"I've been to see her." he answered,
"and 1t was utterly useless. She has
that instructive violent distrust which
characterizes the uneducated. Mentally
and morally she is mere jellytish, but
It is wonderful what terrible burden
such an inconsiderable creature can be
to the man who marries her"
Smith had fascinated me scarcely less
than West, and took advantage of ev-
cry opportunity of meeting him. We
three spent half dozen evenings in
the little back room Of the saloon dur
Ing the next fortnight. On the last of
these occasions, just as we were break
ing up the session, observed that West
lent Smith $50. 1t was a considerable
sum, and | feared that Smith would
not be able to return 1t, as he had
agreed to do, on the following Satur'
day.
Borrowing separates friends. especial.
ly when they are so unequally favored
by fortune as were Smith and West. II
was evident that West might be OF
great service to the younger man. par
ticuarly If the latter continued to trihe
with a pen. would have been very
sorry to see pitiful matter Of money
destroy their mutual regard. The
thought worried me during the week.
On Saturday endeavored to find Smith
In order to learn whether he had sue
ceeded in obtaining the money which
he had expected as the return of certain
literary labors. In case he had been
disappointed it was my intention to ad.
vance him the money in order that he
might pay West promptly, as agreed.
I waited for Smith in the counting
room Of magazine from which. us l
understood, small sum was due to
him, but he did not come. Then. with
considerable hesitation, for | dreaded
meeting his wife. went to his home.
high up In u tenement house.
A weary. heavy eyed girl of fourteen
met me at the door. Her coarse dress
was covered with bits of thread and the
ravelngs of cheap cloths. So many
pins were stuck into the front OF 1t
that think II she had run against
wall 1t might have killed her. After
some delay and embarrassing explana-
ton was admitted into the front room
Of the tenement. where | found Mrs.
Smith. Her appearance corresponded
closely with that Of the girl A NUN.
ber of coarse dresses in various stages
of manufacture were strewn about the
room.
Mrs. Smith had been pretty girl,
but hard work had worn her almost to
q skeleton. She viewed me at first WIN
evident suspicion. saw the look that
West had described, but it faded pres
emily, and her face took on much
more amiable expression. She sent the
girl out of the room. Then, turning TO
me with an air of one who has taken
great resolution, she said:
you're friend Of Mr.. West. Wen,
I want YOU to ask him to let my hus-