Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-02-07
IeREWSNUr~
= :

brace myself up a little In some way it hap
pened that | strayed around to the hall where
we'd given our last performance. 1t was closed
and everything was dark was leaning against
the wall. feeling half sorry that the wizard had
come into my life. when a hand reached
around the corner of the building and caught
me by an arm.
Come, Zachariah." whispered the Doc; ''as
manager of this combination it will be neces-
sary for you to look after the business arrange
mentS for our next engagement.
tried to get the wizard to explain things as
We hurried along; but he wouldn't do it. and
even after we had caught freight train and
were comfortably seated in the caboose he
seemed to want to let the past be forgotten.
1t was nearly morning when We got off at
little town which must have been a good many
miles from where we had left the Monte Cristo
people. l went to bed wondering what had
become of Clytie and why the Doc had taken
the trouble to hunt me up.
When | awoke it was nearly noon The Doc
was sitting on the edge of the bed, stroking his
plug hat and looking thoughtful
"Zachariah. he said, have you ever stopped
to consider the effects that little things have
and don't have upon the affairs of mankind
If Washington had smoked cigarettes, Thomas
Jefferson might have been hanged for treason.
This IS a solemn thought, Zachariah If We
had an educated pig. or you were able to de-
velop ordinary ability as glass eater. it would
add greatly to the strength of our combina-
ton"
DOWN stairs the first person l saw was
Clytie. She started toward me. holding out
both hands and looking glad till she saw the
Doc. Then her look suddenly changed and
she said without much expression:
." 1t IS good that our manager has returned to
us, and hope you left the bride in safe hands
| replied that l had left her in the hands of
the bridegroom. and it seemed to please Clytie
to hear that the two young hearts were beat
ing one again.
Up to that time hadn't found out the name
of the town We were in. The Doc informed
that it Hopewell.
Its good omen he said. :" / like Hope
we'll as the name of a town. and while we are
here let try to live up to it. As the poet
says:
Hope springs eternal in the human breast
But never does it mount high perhaps,
AS when you have put on a last years vest
And then discover that it overlapS.
Permit me. my dear Zachariah. to hand you
seven dollars. warning you at the same time
against the folly of spending money without
first trying to get on familiar terms with it.
Come with me-
WE went to his room. and he handed me
pencil and some paper, saying
Go out to the graveyard and copy the
names you will find on the tombstones Don't
ask anybody the way. Find the place yourself.
and be careful not to let people see what you
are doing. Get the names of children wherever
you can. and when you come to the stone on
which it says, Elizabeth, beloved wife of
Simeon Jones. in the e7th year of her age
copy with great Don't get the names
mixed. l am going to conduct sprituastic
seance here this evening, and hope to bring
solace to many an aching heart
Hold on. Doc" says l. This doesn't
strike me as a square deal. I'd rather make
a living some other way.
He looked at sadly and silently for
little while. My remarks seemed to have hurt
him. Then he put his hands on my shoulders
and said:
Let us consider this matter, Zachariah.
We will suppose that YOU unhappy. |
come to town advertising that | am able to
give comfort to all who are in sorrow. You
decide to see about it. 1t takes me but a
moment to discover the kind of happiness
you want. l have plenty of such happiness
in stock, and you are eager to pay for a certain
amount of it. Now Zachariah. ask you. as
man to man. would it be kind. would it be
right if l refused to let YOU have any, There
are many people in this town who wearing