The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1909-01-08
Partners to the End |
Tcopyrieht. isos by n q MccluroI

tVvn next 10 MS occupied. IL had been
vacant for year. and the colonel was
not only curious. but nettled. The gar
ret Of the house was divided into two
rooms, and bis was one, and 1e had
never even looked into the other, but
as he had so long been the sole tenant
OF the top story be felt that he ought
70 have been consulted as TO a new
conner. When he heard a person NOV
Ing around in the other half OF his do
main he went down to Mrs. wilkins.
The colonel was man Of sixty. He
had threadbare garments and an empty
purse. While be occupied the cheapest
room In the house. 1t was well known
that he was often hard put to pay his
rent, while bis meals were always tax.
en- at the cheapest restaurants. He was
man Of dignity and education, and
that he bad once occupied a place in
the world could not be doubted.
Mrs. Wilkins began the colonel as
he entered the landlady's presence, IL
take II that you have rented the other
room. and to female at thatT
Eyes, colonel. but It is to a young
woman who IL trying hard to make a
living"
"But you should have consulted me.
I have been with you for a year, and /
should hate to remove TO other quar-.
tiers. but please remember that have
certain rights and privileges, and they
are not to be abrogated without my
consent win think 1t over and con-
slider what steps to take"
Five minutes later he knocked on the
door OF the other room, and 1t was
opened to him by a young woman OF
about twenty-five. He bowed stifly,
and she drew aside as an invitation for
him TO enter. AS he looked around the
room he saw cheap old trunk on the
door and few poor articles of wear
ing apparel hanging up on the nails
driven into the wall. A second glance
into the young woman's face told him
that she had consumption.
II came here 10 ask you why you
rented this ROOM" he said as his face
softened little, "but / can see with
out asking. Miss, let us shake hands"
.'For whyY she asked.
Because ] occupy the next room;
because we are both victims of tickle
fortune; because we should feel sorry
for each other; because feel more
sorry for you than you can for me-"
IL hardly understand you, sir." she
said as she slowly put out her hand.
You are trying to make living,
take itY'
yes"
"And am fighting poverty in hopes
to live a few years longer, though
why should care to live another week
do not know. The bond of poverty
Is between us. Let us be friends
That night, instead of taking his
meal at cheap restaurant, he brought
home loaf of bread and some sau-
sage. Instead Of going out to hunt up
a cheap place, she went out for a |
bit of butter and jar Of marmalade. |
They had dinner together In her room.
1t was the first Of many meals.
The colonel and the young lady got |
to be very good friends. They coun-
gelad with each other; they cheered and
encouraged each other; they deceived
each other, or tried to, as TO what the
future had In store. The woman suf-
fered most, and yet she was the bray
est hearted From almost the first
day of their meeting they looked for
ward to certain things. Some day the
last Of his friends would disappear and |
his precarious income would cease al. |
together. He would die before asking
a stranger for charity. Some day the
disease eating at her lungs would de-
mand the penalty, and there would be
no avoiding it. They talked the mat
ter over for an hour and then dropped
1t and never referred to it again. 1t
was the black shadow In their path,
and yet they fought 1t away. One
night, year later. the colonel came
home and found the young woman in
bed. The doctor had been there, and
the landlady had done all she could do.
Tt was the beginning Of the end. The
colonel sat down with a softer light on /
his face than his partner had seen
there for weeks, and there was touch |
or the exultant in his voice as he said:
II have come home penniless. The
last OF my friends has turned his back
On me. / am no beggar Of aims"
Il am 50 sorry she sighed.
'Say rather that you are so glad.
You may linger for a month, but you
have no hope Of getting well.p
None whatever"
"You remember our talk Of long ago7
The time seemed far Off then, but it is
here tonight. Why should you be
month in dying7 Why should seek to
live for three or four years more7'
Yes, we had talk" she quietly
said.
"Have you any money!"
"a dime. Take it and buy you some.
thing to eat
Partners to the last" he said as he
smiled and rubbed his hands together.
EFT makes 1t far easier where we are
to go together. I will be back soon."
"And 1t is going to happen?" sho
asked as he returned with a bulky
package
1T must. why should it notY
"Yes-why not?"
Half an hour later the colonel sat
zown beside the bed and kindly said:
I'VE have been partners true part
ners. viii sit here and hold your
hand while we sleep"
They found them thus-the police
The fearful Iandladv-fhe hustling curo-