Putnam patriot., 1913-09-19

q < = z ' p Ss = MD prospect of marriage to some farmers son.
 The ragged man could see that this was the type of girl whom education would bring the highest success. She was quick-witted. earnest, and with a superb simplicity and radiating good ness. Of course he did not think 1t in these words. But he learned her name and that of the postoffice, thanked her for drink of water that she gave him, and, as he heard her mothers harsh call from the house. went on his way.
 At that moment he was converted. He lost his desire for vileness He resolved that, since his own life had been spoiled in the sight of his maker, he would give him that of another.
 He jumped freight train and made his way by stages westward. He ob- tained a menial position, and every penny that he could hoard he put away in bank. When he had hun dred dollars he sent it anonymously to the girl. For your education, he wrote on the envelope. Then he be- gan saving again.
 Gradually the memory of this girl took possession of his life. As the months changed into years he pictur- ed her. first completing her course in high school, then going to college. He even ventured once to suggest the name of the college she was to enter "a famous one in Georgia Seven years later he was man of moderate means, and he had spent two thousand dollars on the peach blossom girl
 What was she to become? No stenographer or clerical assistant in any business, of that he was resolved. Why, she should go to Paris, of course. and achieve triumphs there He knew nothing of Paris, except it's name as the capital of France. But that would demand q heavier expenditure He set aside his whole accumulation. of money-seven thousand dolIars-and sent it to her, This time he wrote his first detailed instructions She was to have an annual income of twelve hundred dollars and to follow any career she fancied after she re turned
 "She had become like daughte, to him, in his imagination. but when ten years had passed he suddenly found himself growing into middle life and very lonely He dared to begin to imagine dearer things than that. And at last the day came when he turned his dreams into actual plans he would return and humbly ask her to be his wife.
 1t was not until he actually de scended from the train at the obscure little Georgia village that the futility of his dreams suddenly dawned upon him. He had heard nothing from her during ten years. It might be that his money had never reached her; it might be that she was already mar ried. A thousand chances might have intervened. And she was twenty-six and he man Of forty He was bent on the widest and most quixotie CT rand that had ever befallel a man. Another thing, too came to his mind. He had educated her in Paris and at the best college in the state. But he himself was a crude and ig- norant man; he had even retrograded in knowledge and manners. living in his western town. How could he ask her to link her life with his?
 And by the time when he saw the peach orchard looming up in front of him all his resolutions had shrunk to this: that he would ask for drink of water and inquire after her, learn how she was and what life had brought her. and go his way again
 When he heard the harsh voice os the mother at the door, he told me af- terward, continued the evangelist, he was conscious of an absurd desire 10 run away, just as when he had pass cd by the house, a tramp. ten years before. But the woman, seeing that he was dressed like a man of means.