The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1903-11-19

S Y months, had sat IN near
9 9 company Of a young girl in
~ the British Museum, who,
%ro~ without being beautiful,
was the possessor Of infinite charm.
Whether she worked so energetically
for the mere love Of the thing or from
necessity I could not tell. I chose,
however, to fancy her the help Of a
widowed mother who on slender means
had perhaps still younger lives than
my fellow workers to give her an4i-
eties. Suffice it to say, on this point,
my near fellow worker labored with
zest, and often her example inspired
my own somewhat tagging efforts; l
found myself possessed of an uncon-
querable desire to make her acQualnt-
ance, yet could not summon the nee
essary courage to address her.
A cold but bright day in January
found me on my way to interview a
notable member Of Parliament, with
the hope to secure through his aid a
ticket for the House Of Commons.
7 had proceeded as far as the top OF
Charing Cross Road, when bethought
me to take bus I became an in
side" There was but one other occu-
pant-a lady.
Presently the conductors voice
startled US both; the lady turning
about revealed to me the we'll known
face Of my lady" Of the reading room.
The conductors call upon us for
"Fares, please"' together with the sud-
denness of mutual recognition, had
rather fustered us. Presently vivid
blush spread over her face, as she
plaintively gave the conductor to un-
derstand she had left her purse and
money at home.
The collector Of fares was somewhat
inclined to be coarse and offensive, as
he remarked:
"Ho. I dessay; that's a tale wot
amt good enough for me. I've bin
'ad that way afore today. Wot are
yer goin' to do?'
At this juncture I deemed it ad-
visahle to expostulate, warning him
that it was no part Of his duty to be
uncivil. Then begged the lady's per-
mission to settle so trifing matter,
at the same time pointing out to her
that the fact Of our being fellow
workers at the British Museum would
at least privilege me in so small
service.
aThat is Fortunate" she replied.
"Thank you so much. May ask your
namew I gave it Richard Athel-
stane."
'Thank YOU so much, Mr. Athelstane.
7 am Eunice FIRTH"
After delivering herself OF this srac-
ious bit of information she departed
on her way. leaving me in seventh
heaven of delight. For was not the
ice now broken:
At the period of my first interest in
Euuice Firth I was busily engaged in
efforts to graft in some manner the
American family of Shaddee upon the
parent stock in England. 1t was
work of great wearisomeness.
On the next occasion Of my meeting
with Miss Firth the merest form OF
greeting followed. AS she handed me
the bronze obligation. her renewal or
thanks was accompanied by the faint
est change of color, but her words,
."You were very kind to help me out
of my dilemma" left no opening for
extension of an acquaintance 80 aus
piciously begun. Our sittings were
within one of each other. We took
them, and thus far there was the end.
She evidently knew full we'll the ex-
istence of the rule Of silence which
the superintendent for the time ever
strives so energtically to enforce.
Eunice Firth, whether or no she
OWNED that I desired closer ac-
'ouaintance, never bargained for the
catastrophe, which though it brought
fear and trembling for awhile to her,
won for me the ''open sesame l had
so longed for.
In q weeks time we were on speak
ing terms. within month an ac-
quaintanceship had ripened marvel
lousy. Gradually we came to under
stand each other. We sat side by
side. the dividing chair separated US
no longer.
Then the time came when she as
sented to my invitation to drink tea
with me in the gallery room. Over
that delicious Souchong we chatted
freely. She spoke to me of her mother
an invalid; of her brother-a clerk
in a banking house. I gathered thai
the united earnings of these young
people represented nearly the whole
of the wherewithal Of their otherwise
happy little home.
My work of pedigree creating had
palled sadly upon me for some time
and began to think living among the
hones-so to speak-of departed no
hodies far from exhilarating.