The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1911-07-19
The PHOTOGRAPH
AND WILLIAM
BY HAaoLp WAITE

HiDly, III Will eitner nave 10 ot iOuuu,
or we part company lie the right
expression. think. isn't it?''
eyes, sir" said william. scooping up
the luncheon crumbs.
How the deuce 1t could be lost
passes my comprehension" added.
glancing at the vacant space on the
mantelpiece where the photograph used
TO stand. missed II. II was not only
pretty in itself, but l valued II: times
had changed. but say valued II.
"P'r'aps Mrs. Groom knows some
thing about IT," suggested William.
without apparent interest.
"Nonsenser replied. irritably.
"You know as well as do that Mrs.
Groom hasn't been near the place since
nine this morning"
William apparently gave 1t up. and
went on with his crumb-scooping
Did understand. sir" he said.
after Il pause, that you was to be
back at tea-time with the young lady
and her aunt. slr9"
Williams remarks generally have s.
significance. and with practice 1t is
possible to gather what that signih-
canoe IS, This time saw at once what
he meant by Il certain pose OF his head
and the medltative manner In which
he picked up the table-cloth.
"Confound your impertinencel"
said. 'inok here. william. I'm not
going TO have you arrange my rooms
according to your notions OF propriety,
or whatever It Is. That photograph
will have TO be produced ana put up
exactly where 1t always stands"
"As you please. sir" said William.
81 will see that It's looked for"
DO you think | want you to man
age my matrimonial anairs?" went
on. was angry with him
Il shouldn't take the liberty. sir"
who's going to notice the ihings?"
"Oh, | think they notice EN-. sir.
It's my belief the women see with the
backs OF their heads. Besides. sir, it's
natural that they should take stock.
coming for the first time"
"And suppose they do?"
We'll, SIR" said William. "in my
opinion what the eye doesn't see the
hear, doesn't grieve after. and least
said soonest mended or course. sir.
that may be only in my station in life
sir"
DO you imagine that any woman
would think that have lived for three
and-thlrty years without the diversion
OF feminine eociety1" put It tc him.
"They may not think 1t. Dir. but
they like to believe e."
"But thate nonsense"
VERY likely. sir. It's my belief it's
worry much this way. A woman don't,
no more than II man. imagine things
sn general way: but II she finds a
hook, she hangs deal on it,
But don't you ses. William" /
said. that this entails life OF per-
petual deceit?"
81 don't see. sir. begging your par
don. that any man is bound to incrim-
mate himself"
THAT is casuistry." said. Where.
William. where are your ethicsf"
Il don't know. sir. Perhaps never
had any. sir. I'm not familiar with
Che word"
Ell you had" / said. you would
see that the one great condition OF
happiness between a man and q wom-
an who are. or who are to become
man and wife. is perfect confidence.
There should be no secrets Nothing
should be kept back"
Some have tried 1t. sir" said VII
liam. and raused thoughtfuliy. ~
think II was to look, sir. might
find the photograph in the wardrobe
In Your bedroom. Shall look for II,
sir?" he asked. walking TO the door.
"stopi" said. You say some have
tried It. In your experience7'
1--WE lived in married families. and
have come aeross IT," said William.
"liow did 1t work."
"Ohi lori" said William, and said
nothing more.
How often" said, ARE our aau-
rally good impulses checked by the
knowledge that II we let them go. they
will only lead to harm in the end?
My natural impulse IS TO betriend the
begsar in the street. but know tina,
shall only 10 encouraging yagrancy
aid drink. and things. My natural I'm
pulse under the present circumstances
is to have no skeleton in my cup
boards. and no photographs concealed
In the wardrobe of my bedroom-and
then man OF experience tells me
that ii let that impulse so. the re-
suit VIII very likely DO appalling. |
gathered. William. that the results In
the other cases were appalllng?"
William hfted his eyebrows and
nodded.
Then your advice. az man OF e1-
perience. IS 10 arrange the manteipiece
without Including the photograoh ?"