New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-06-24

Immortal" said the seedy man. as he medits-
lively eyed the pint OF ale with which my gen
crosby had provided him, that's the word
might have been immortal his hano shooK. PROB
ably with drink.
The Poet began.
stop Bit" said the seedy man. When say
immortal I'm not talking poetry or any OF that
sort OF squish. I mean the real. solid thtns-'O
King live foreverF and all that sort OF business.
you know"
said was surprised even that seemed made
quate.
II you'll listen. I'll tell you the yarn" he went
on 1T isn't every one I'm keen on telling II TO-
But 7 like your face" He crammed tobacco fu-
rousIy into his pipe. You look as II you might
be the sort OF fool TO believe il
passed over the compliment IN my desire 70
hear more.
Tt was when I was younger than am" said he
IT was a bit smarter than 7 am. too IN those
DAYS" He glanced at the braidng his shabby
coat. Il was Science Master at the Grammar
School When I say Science Master. I mean that
taught the Third Form everything from Latin to
10 see me mix up all sorts of things in bottles
green. when they didn't come out in flames and
smoke and AL that king s Of thing had .f SGs
I made would have brought up the Nuisance IN
spector in no time II he had ever done any work
1t was about that time met the old buffer.
bit sweet gil in tobacco shop IN the
TO 60 down after school hours and lean over the
counter and talk rot 10 her. Lord what did
talk, too! Well I was getting back 10 the school
leaning up against the wall; with his hands 70 his
heart. sort OF trying 10 suck IN air he looked SO
working so that stopped by him I couldn't do
and + youH believe me- the sight Of that old chap
lighting so hard to get his breath had su,h an
90 At last he i. seemed to go biz easier and sort
could get his breath he gasped out. My thanks.
friend l am better Oh. Lord how long. He tried
I'm seeing you home.
friendship. He didn't often come 70 my diggings.
but used 70 mess about in his. think told you
was enid 20 MN told you could Kick up
bit Of smell It was altar OF roses and lavender
curious furnaces and retorts; most OF them didn't
know the names of And he was always brewing
have as many explosions as aid hut the one he
did have scared me away from his place for a
fortnight You see. he was doing the thing on a
At last found what he was after What do
Johnnie was trying 10 discover Ire elixir OF lfs
or course I knew from my history that lots OF
ing for it. but I calculated 70 meet any one
quite so belmy in my own time: But there IL was.
'Of course when found this out I used TO
chafr the old boy When you've made it, I'd say.
soda He stood it well enough as rule. but now
and again he'd fire up oh. man. mani he'd say
thoughtless the ny that perishes with the ap-
preach or winter Will you dance and sing II expect
he meant smoke and drink, will you daily with
women (Id been telling him about the tobacco
Crib while before you looms inevitable the dark
into which you must vanish?' And a fat lot
you get OF life I'd say. Then he'd reply Let
me first make 1t everlasting; then you shall learn
how will enjoy IL.
don't mind saying got fond OF the old chap. IN
spite OF his loose slate. 1 should think I knew
him for nearly year: and that brings me to the
end I trotted round 10 his place afternoon and
knocked the door. AS Il rule. the house keeper
opened II. but she must have been out. and heard
him coming downstairs. He didn't be get
ting along overcast: when he opened the door I
how weak he was. but I something else.
He in n furious state of excitement His eyes
kind Of gttered and his hand shook precious
sight than mine does now. and when he
tried to speak TO he sort OF gurgled in his
throat and made funny noises.
Look here. old chap, I said. you're well.
I'm seeing you upstairs, and then I'm of for
doctor
THAT fetched him. he found hts voice. 'Doctor.'
have I do with doctOrs2 Congratulate me. oh.
my friend, I've found Il! Through the years
have sought IT, and at last IL is mine This even
ing I shall be born again-bOFn into eternity
II tell you I bit taken aback. I'd been
used to him messing round without much TO
show for il that I'd always looked the business
a OF play. Even now | thought the old
boy had made mistake somewhere. But / could
see he didn't think there was mistake 1t took
him a good five minutes TO get upstairs. and the
top landing he had TO put his hand To his heart
and suck in air.
Il followed him into his room. and the first thing
4 came across was bundle or closely written