Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1907-10-18


ago, Frank Bsterhazy came rushing |
into my office in his old, Joyous, on |
hand way, and after crushing hand |
shake, began to tumble my papers
about, and play with my keys just Rs
, naturally as if he hadn't been in South
Africa for the last three years. out OF
everybody's reach, and almost out of
everybodt's mind.
1t fairly made me feel like n boy
again to see Frank sitting there telling
his adventures. He had led a rowing
life back and forth between Chilli and
Peru. 1t seemed, selzing every golden
opportunity for trade; now with
United States goods, and now with ma
tive diamonds; and he had something
to do with that great railroad that
leaped mountain gorge, planned by
one of his own country's engineers.
Frank had made a fair fortune by it
all, in ingots and ducats, and all man
ner of foreign reckoning, and here he
was, a fine bronzed fellow of 30, in
the very glory of life, all the drudgery
done, with the world before him where
TO choose.
Meanwhile had had my own little
history, and Frank wanted to hear all
that-the ill-paid clerkship, the love
IN cottage, the starting out at last in
a small, cautious business of my own
the hopes. the fears, and the dear
home reigned over by my own Gertie.
and Tiny Tot, our precious youngster.
/ invited Frank to stay and go up to
dinner with me, to see my household
gods frr himself.
But, no! he was in great hurry to
leave the city-meant to go off by the
next train up to little village some
two hundred miles distant, where
some OF his folks used to live. That
seemed as much like home as any
place, he said, and he was restless
must go at once. He was in glorious
spirits, took the most cheerful view
OF life told me not to be discour-
aged. there was a good time coming
yet; and SO, in all the bravery of
good fortune. off he went, and heard
no more OF him till last Thursday.
On Thursday. he came into my
Office again, and all his good spirits
seemed To be dashed out OF him. He
sat down ia a languid way, kept star
ing out of the window as If he wasn't
interested in anything-said he found
his aunts still living up in the village,
but it was a confounded dull little
place; in fact, everything seemed
lonesome and strange to him, and he
meant to go back to Chilli, first
chance, or to Peru.
| suggested to him not to be dis
Up 81
ing yet. But he deigned no answer.
and sat there smoking one cigar after
another, looking as aimless and
gloomy as a perfectly well man can
ever possibly look. went on posting
my books, and wondering what could
have happened to cut the poor fellow
up so. When business was over, /
urged him to so home to dinner with
me, for l thought maybe sight Of
Gertie and Tot would cheer him up a
little. He held back some, but l took
him along with ME finally.
Gertie was at the window watching,
with her boy in her arms, and came
to meet us, welcoming Esterhazy as
charmingly as possible. Frank is too
gentlemanly fellow to be morose be-
able, and really got into quite frolic
with Tot after dinner. But when the
child was sent off to bed, then the
melancholy look deepened down in his
eyes again, and that, combined with
his winning Difference and ready kind
ness. completely won Gertie's SYM
pathy, and she exerted herself to
make the evening pass pleasantly to
him.
''Oh, Dick" exclaimed Gertie, with
one of her coaxing smiles. Speaking
of pictures just reminds me of some
thing You haven't much to do to-
morrow-you know you haven't; and
why WON'T you take me around to the
different picture galleries?"
| demurred little, thinking of some
possible business emergencies.
I'm sure day out will do you
good" said Gertie, getting in earnest
Seeing beautiful things improves peo-
pie. and / am sure we ought to want
TO be improved"
She said this with a philosophic air
that overcame me, and l consented,
in my heart willingly enough, to go
art-hunting the next day, always pro-
viding that the sun shone. l asked
Frank Esterhazy If he wouldn't join
us, and Gertie seconded the Invitation
warmly.
81 don't know much about pictures"
he said, smiling at her, "but a day
with such friends will be a pleasure
in itself. l have business trips to
make n two or three directions, to
prosecute some inquiries. but Friday
is an unlucky day to start on a jour-
ney, they say; so / believe will stop
over "a hours, and go sightseeing
with you. l don't know but | am be-
ginning TO be superstitious!"