The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1907-11-23

ago, FRANK ESteIudly SoS
into my office in his old, joyous, on
hand way. and after a crushing hand
shake. began to tumble my papers
about. and play with my keys just as
naturally as If he hadn't been IN Soutn
Africa for the last three years, out o.
evervbody's reach, and almost out OF
everybody's mind.
It fairly made me feel like a Doy
again to see Frank sitting there telling
his adventures. He had led a rowing
life back and forth between Chill and
Peru. it seemed, selling every goiaen
opportunity for trade; now WIN
limited States goods, and now with ma
tive diamonds; and he had sometnine
to do with that great railroad tnat
leaped a mountain gorge, planned by
one of his own country's engineers.
Frank had made fair fortune by 1t
all. in ingots and ducats. and all man.
ner of foreign reckoning, ana mere ne
was. a fine bronzed fellow OF 70, 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 a 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 for himself.
But, MOI he was in q great hurry to
leave the city-meant to go on 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 20 at once. He was In glorious
spirits, took the most cheerful view
of life, told me not to be discour-
aged, there was q good time coming
yet; and so, in all the bravery OF
good fortune, on he went. and / heard
no more of him till last Thursday.
On Thursday, he came into my
ONCE again, and all his good spirits
seemed to be dashed out of him. He
sat down in languid way, kept star
ing out of the window as II he wasn't
interested in anything said he found
his aunts still living up In the village
but It was a COMPOUNDED dull little
place; In fact, everything seemed
lonesome and strange to him. and he
/ A. m Chilli fra
chance, or to Peru.
I suggested to him not to be dis
couraged; there was good time com
ing yet. But he deigned no answer
and sat there smoking one cigar aftel
another, looking as aimless ant
gloomy as a perfectly well man cal
ever possibly look went on postini
my books, and wondering what coul'
have happened to cut the poor fellow
up 30. When business was over,
urged him to 60 home to dinner witt
! me, for thought maybe . sight o
} Gertie and Tot would cheer him up
: little. He held back some, but tool
, him along with me finally.
II Gertie was at the window watching
,, with her boy in her arms. and cam
to meet us, welcoming Esterhazy q
charmingly as possible. Frank II to
gentlemanly fellow to be morose b
fore ladies, 30 he made himself agres
= able, and really got into quite froli
q with Tot after dinner. But When th
. child was sent on to led, then th
! melancholy look deepened down in hi
: eyes again, and that, combined wit
his winning difference and ready kim
:. ness, completely won Gertie's syn
: patty. and she exerted herself
make the evening pass pleasantly
him.
4 "Oh, Dick" exclaimed Gertie. viii
one of her coaxing smiles. "Speakir
Of pictures just reminds me of som
II thing. You haven't much to do t
b morrow-you know you haven't; ar
Il why won't you take me around to Il
:. different picture galleries."
I demurred q little, thinking Of son
= possible business emergencies.
y I'm sure day out will do "
G good" said Gertie, getting in earnei
re- Seeing beautiful things improves pc
80 pie, and am sure we ought to wa
Is to be improved"
I'd She said this with a philosophic Q
ID that overcame me, and / consente
e. in my heart willingly enough. to $.
art-hunting the next day, always pl
~ viding that the sun shone. ask
Frank Esterhaxy II he wouldn't jo
= us, and Gertie seconded the invitati
warmly.
~ IT don't know much about pictures
- he said, smiling at her, but a d
I'D with such friends will be pleasu
be in itself. / have business trips
- | ~.obo n <wo mr. fhroc d3roct}ossa