The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-11-17
AT THE BRINK OF ETERNITY
BY CHARLES SLOAN REID. Copyright, 1905. By Daily Story Pub.


 (Copyright. 1905. By Daily story Pub.
 Col
 Just of the street, in a narrow al- ley that reeked with the scent of garr bage, rested large dry goods box, and in the box crouched the figure of a man trying to shield himself from the falling rain. The faint lights oi the street glimmered in front of him but none of the rays penetrated hfs sitting there for some time in silence and motionless. At last he murmured
 There's nothing to 1t, why keep Il upg'
 Then he refapsed into silence agair for another half hour. At the end oi this time he muttered again:
 NO; there's nothing to it--and why keep it up?'
 Silence again for q moment, then: whats to gain anyhow by keep ing up the fight? Nothing. Who's te care if I drop it? No one, There'll be an end to everything. All will, be blank. no feeling either good or bad. no more misery, no cold or hunger, nothing, absolutely nothing--it's pleas ant to think that there will be neth- ing to feel Maybe there's soul. If so, it will go darting here and there through space like the pollen sheath of a grass stalks in q varying breeze z
 He fell Into silence once more and listened to the batter of the rain on the top of his box while his thoughts ran over and over the same line of reasoning.
 "Yes I'll do it." He caught the edge of the box to pull himself up from his crouching position. Tt will easier than to hold on another twenty four hours Yet there's something that tugs at my determination somer how But it is off--I declare It to be off now"
 He crept out of the box and turned in the direction of the North river. The rain beat upon his head, but he seemed to care no longer for that. He had thrust his hands into his pockets and his shoulders had dropped forward as if he carried weight on his back. He walked slowly, some times stopping still for an instant. as thought he still argued with himself.
 It was more than half q mile to the North river ,sat the point which he sought, an abandoned portion of a rot ting old wharf There were no near by lights, and the place was murky and dismal. The surroundings suited the mood of the man and encouraged his determination. He continued on across the planking which was curled and hollowed and twisted from the forces of the dampness from below Aand the sunshine of the day from above. Occasionally weak board gave way just a little beneath his feet, and involuntarily he sprang forward to a sounder part of the floor ing. Reaching the edge he leaned against a piece of piling which looked down toward the waters. He could not sec the line where they played against the timbers of the wharf. but he knew that it was just four feet down at this point No sound came to his ears above the, tapping of the waves against the timbers for some time, for the rain had almost ceased. though no stars were visible over head.
 No. there's nothing to it. and I'll not keep 1t up; though I shall just stand here a little while longer, just while I am feeling no particular in- disposition, either mentally or physi- ally" He continued to gaze toward the waters of the. river. A half hour passed. Then sound came to the | nan's ear that was not from the river. | Footsteps, light. hesitating footsteps, | sounded from behind him. coming in | lis direction across the flooring of | he wharf, Throwing his arm about he post he half turned to listen moref ntently.
 The footsteps came on directly to-