Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1909-05-29

And gradually the picture seemed to
fade away. and ike a dissolyiug view.
| it's place was taken by auother-the
picture of a half tim bered house that
stood back among some trees at the
corner of Main and Center streets. he
could see the worn steps leading up 10
/ the vcranda and himself approaching
/ hall fearfuIy along the gravel walk
that led iu from the rusty gate.
on the veranda sat the big man with
/ tho heavy features and the corucob
pipe. and he heard the voice again bid.
ding him come up. And then there
was can Zoo some one within. and a
: woman emerged with "a white bundle
in her arms.
show her 60 Dan" he heard the
mans voice say. and then. when the
woman had removed a bit OF the nan-
mel covering from the little face and
he had looked upon Sc. startled. abashed
and marvclously choking as 90 the
throat the big voice went on again:
"Shc's going Go bc Ethel. Dan. that
bundle OF infancy And maybe some
OF these days shcu be getting herself
In tight place. and IT'S going 20 Doe up
60 YOU. Dan. 90 help her out. and
you're going 20 promise me that you'u
do TO- boy. Horace. the other Kid. he'll
grow mp maybe 90 have sense. and
he'll look out Tor himself. but it's
tough place Tor girls. Dana mighty
tough place
lie could almost hear the hushcd
voice in which the boy bad given the
required promise aud the awe with
which he heard that the newest atom
Of humanity 90 arrive was already
mothcricss. and then the picture faded
again. Then came a succession OF sim
liar views.
He saw the dlngy real estate office
grow into % respectable brick building
and then into handsome stone edince.
and the heavy featured man turn
craycr and graycr and more sombcr
and more hardworkiug and be could
remember the day when the tiny Ethel
was brought Go the office for the FIRST
time and o. the manner in which she
began CD grow up. He recalled the day
when she reached the mature age OF
twelve and Of how he had presented
90 her a Bible Tor a gift and Of the
manner in which he had bushed for
all his twenty-five years.
And then hc recalled the day when
John Simpson had coufded TO him
that the kids were 90 be given adj
vantagcs aud were 90 be sent abroad
20 school There came q blank after
that, but he recalled as II &c had been
but yesterday the feeling with which
he had gone of into q corner and.
wrestled with the grief that had beset
him. He could even see the nutterlnc
hand that waved 10 him from the car.
window as the train took her aad her
brother away.
suddenly the door behind him opened
and shut quickly. and quick steps
caused him 20 drop his feet 20 the
aoor Tie turned and found a visitor
at his elbow
"Dan." said the newcomer. Its
all yours. Jenkins Just got a telegram
that the X. and c. has decided 20 offcr
you the representation for this end OF
the state"
THAT sor" responded Pike aim
lessly.
"Of course it's so, manr replied the
other shaking him vigorously by the
shoulder. Wake up. can't you? It's
worth fifteen thousand a year 20 your
Pike turned quizzical eyes upon his
friend and folded the letter he held in
his hand
Much obliged 20 you, Tom" he said
q guess I'm kind Of upset today. Got
letter here that-jolted me a little
I'm thinking Of going away for a
spell"
Going away| CALCULATED his friend
with wide eyes. Going awayl
WhereT'
q guess I'll take a trip across the
water" replied Pike dreamuy. cal
ways wanted TO see those foreign
parts. those Venices and Romes and
Londons. Must be a queer tribe over
there, Tom Not much like US plain
folks here, Ell? Lots Of high and
mighty dukes and earIs and things and
coats OF arms and crowns and coaches
with white horses, chr"
Tom Perkins sat down in a chair
with a gasp OF establishment. He
stared at his friend with frank amaze
ment written on his face and opened
his mouth twice before his lips formed
the words.
'Europe!" be said at last.
Europe" he replied. "Say, Tom,
you remember Jim Cooley? They sent
Jim over there. didn't theyl Made
him vice consul or something over in
London? Id maybe get a chance TO
see Jim and talk 10 him about-about
old times"
His voice died down. and he regarded
the wall again.