Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1907-05-16
The Path Of Glory

MT. 11IC udQ never udQ any IdLl0 UO-
fore, and he liked it. Everybody had
praised him; and when his landlady
came one evening to say George Par
sons had called, Mr.. Tit said, Show
him In" thinking that the poor fellow
quite properly, wished to express his
gratitude.
What puzzled Mr. Tit at first was
that the man was SO altered he scarce
.ly knew him; but then he had only
seen him once in the dark, when he
was dripping wet, and twice at the po-
lice court, when he was in the dock
Well he cried genially, you're
out, eh?-and feeling like yourself
again, hope?"
do look it," demanded George un-
graciously.
"You-you've shaved your"
9aThey done that in quod, and a
pretty sight It's made me. Took life
time to grow that beard, it did, and me
Oldest friends can't recognize me with
out it,
"Still,' Mr. Tit spoke soothingly,
you're alive; that's one good thing.
isn't it?''
mot for mel" growled George, sig
ni6cantly.
Don't say thatr pleaded Mr.. Tit.
Life is sweet"
90, is it?" George interrupted fetch
lily Then what do you suppose |
jumped in the river for?"
Mr.. Tit was difident, simple little
man, and George bewildered him.
Talk about liberty" George sneered
truculently; "a man can't even drown
hisself in this blighted country
But. my man, it was for your .bene-
fit"
Eve spoilt me clothes with the wet,
done ten days, had me whiskers wiped
OFF an me hair cut to the bone"
George became sarcastic; that's the
benefit I've had. But the papers call
you the Heroic city clerk an some
benevolent old mug sends three spun
notes to the magistrate for you, and
hear that the Royal Humane society's
givin' you a medal"
81 risked my life, though"
so did l. And you couldn't have
done it If it hadn't bin for me. Where
do l come ine I've had all the ineen-
venience, and you've go all the mon
ey."
Its the most impudent-"
sLook here! If go without flyer
| go to them newspapers that inter-
viewed you, an tell 'em it was a put
up job"
Mr.. Tit made a moving appeal to
his better feelings, but George didn't
seem to have any; he put on his hat
with a determined air, and Mr.. Tit
lost heart. and before he found 1t
again George and a five-pouna note
had gone together.
Mr.. Tit said nothing about it, but it
ranked; somehow, it made the whole
event sordid and himself ridiculous;
and when two evenings later his land
lady announced George Parsons again
he said Indignantly, Send the fellow
away" then repented weakly, fearful
of consequences, and called her to
show the man in.
She did, and to Mr.. Tits amaze
ment it wasn't the same George he
saw last time. He recognized this one
immediately, for he was still wearing
all his whiskers.
81 come in, sir" he said meekly, ito
say I'm out, and thank you kindly, all
the same, becos, of course, sir, it's no
fault of yours if I've lorst by it"
"Iost?" eiaculatedy Mr. Tit. What
have you lost?''
Everything, sir" he said, with pa
thetic resignation.
Look here!" cried Mr.. Tit desper-
ately Didn't l save your life?"
George smiled tolerantly.
'Bless yer, mister, I'm champion
swimmer" he said, AN used to have
two gold cups on the sideboard till |
went broke, an pawned 'em. Swim.
minis second nature to me. But you
meant well, sir, and | don't complain.
Me bein' charged with attempted sui
eide, though, seems to have put the
idea into me head, and | sort OF feel
now that I'd better do it,
Mr.. Tit pointed out the madness
and wickedness of this and, In an ac-
cess of irritability, went on to explain
about the visit Of the other George
Parsons, to which explanation the real
George listened with virtuous and ex-
plosive indignation.
Five pounds! He's cheated us both,
gunner, and. Still, thank God,
you've kept ten, and the medal. Don't
tell any one called to say was CRATE
full, and what | was goin' to do to me-
self. If it got in the papers it might
look as if you hadn't put UP yer hand
to stop me, and that'd be narsty. Well,
good night, sir.'
Mr. Tit was panic stricken.
'But you're not to do 1t, tell you!"
he ragged. IF a sovereign's any good
mo, sir The medal and the moneys
yours. Besides, owe my landlord
one, sixteen, six, and
Here! Then three-will three dog
George faltered, struggling with his
nobler self Mr. Tit ended the con-
test by thrusting three sovereigns into
his fist, and shutting him out before
he could conquer his emotions and re-
turn them.
He was scarcely gone, however,
when an idea occurred to Mr.. Tit, and
he slipped into the street and gave
chase. When he turned the corner the
second George, a few yards ahead CT
him, was no longer alone. He and
George the first were staggering there
eogether in way that Mr.. Tit re.
ented.
Rnt thew did nnf stav to exnlain