The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1911-07-10

form Strengthened, the words began to
flow-at first hesitatingly, asthough
the tongue was struggling to master a
long-fOrgotten art.
Listen! see an inspiring scene
a crowded court room, the flower of
the community is there, the counsel
tables are surrounded by the pick of
the bar-every detail is as clear as
day-the old white-haired judge, the
twelve men in the jury box-every eye
is riveted on commanding presence
young man good to look upon, is
speaking; the old Judge leans forward
In rapt attention; not a motion dis
turbs In that vast assemblage-ha,h he
is done! the twelve men file out, but
are Immediately back again. Hush,
the foreman is speaking; he takes his
seat, the old Judge steps down from
the bench, he grasps the hand of the
one who held them entranced short
while ago; brethen of the bar crowd
around him-the-but, hold!-the
scene changes. oh, a brilliant scene
long tables loaded with all that
wealth can buy-beautiful women
flashing lights-bewitching music
handsome men. Look! one arises at
the end of one of the tables. Il is
he of the court room scene, he holds
the glass aloft-he is replying to the
toast-he is thanking his friends for
this honor, this brilliant banquet-he
but the scene grows dim-it is cloud
ed-the picture is gone-no, it appears
again-but no, different picture now
"a man is staggering up the steps
of rickety building-a woman awaits
him at an open door. She is crying
| hear her voice Oh Will, Bessies
sick; the doctor says she must die un-
less we can get her into the country;
oh, can't We go?" l hear his brutal
voice mo, how can I take you to
the country? I've got no money" The
woman covers her face with her hands
and sinks down. Wait-wait-what'
that? o, yes, I see it plainly now--an
open grave-rough looking men are
are lowering into its depths two cheap
boxes-one a very little one. He
stands looking on-they are through
he turns away.
i guess that's all-no, see him in
strange land-he is sleeping under
the stars, no roof over his head-on
horror-they throw him from a swiftly.
moving train. He is hurtAbut the
picture changes swiftly now. He is in
far western town-now he sinks
along through an alley in the eastern
city see him asleep on the desert
he means In his sleep: water.
water, water! Wait what's that?
two forms hover over his head-two
forms, oh, so beautiful-they are
borne on snow-white wings-one of
them just little one-they beckon
him-he stirs-he starts to rise as TO
follow-ah, what is that I seer A
form comes into view at his side-it
walks on cloven hoof-it holds a
sparkling glass before his eyes-he
grasps 1.-THE beautiful forms fade-a
fiendish grin spreads DER the face of
the one Of the cloven hoof The mic.
lures grow cloudy now, boys-not
much more, guess. His form Ia bent
now-about all--O, no, they come
again-a noble fellow pities him
again he holds the glittering glass he
craves-ah, this is the stuff, bows:
this is the stuff!-this drives the ugly
pictures away: this brings the sweet
forgetfulness Of the ugly dreams-this
is the stun, boys, this is the stuff"
The glass went to the parched lips.
was swallow at gulp. the old frame
sank back into its SLOUGH, the mendi
cant leer spread over the wrinkled
features, and
Did you say another one, boys-did
you say another one, boysT" But he
turned to find himself alone.
The register rang, coin ratified
noisily into the till, four untasted
decoctions were poured into the
sink, and then angrily:
Get out Of here. you id old bum,