Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1914-08-11
THE DRUMMER'S
STORY

closed In the little COlOraQO village
among the mountains, and this was
Christmas Eve.
The boarders at the Fountain, q
small hotel, and the only one the town
afforded. had finished the evening
meal-a meal similar to that which
was to be found at all small villages
in the West.
The inmates of the hotel comprised
the landlord and his buxom wife. two
hired girls. some 10 or dozen min
ers, and five or six drummers, knights
Of the grip, who were forced by the
inclemency OF the weather to take
refuge at the Fountain.
The snow had been falling steadily
all day, and was still falling, the
drifts in some places being several
feet deep.
The men were seated around the
table, some playing cards and others
telling stories. Come, Tom." said
one Of the drummers. otis your turn
for a story; give us something good
something true this time"
Tom was a dark, handsome fellow.
with black hair and deep blue eyes
eyes that were full of magnetic pow
er. He pushed back his chair, cross
ed one leg over his knee and, with his
hands thrust deep into his pockets.
began:
once knew a fellow at school, who
for instance, l will call Fred-bright.
quick-witted, generous to a fault. but
very mischievous. His pranks some
times brought him to disgrace at
school, but as Fred was general
favorite he finished the term all right
and was graduated with honors.
He entered college with bright
hopes and high aspirations, and while
there made some brilliant successes;
but, alas! there was to be fall. He
became intimately acquainted with an
other fellow of an entirely different
stamp.
Bob Turner was a lazy, good-for.
nothing fellow. who wanted to see the
world at the expense Of someone else
He told Fred that If they had few
hundred dollars their fortunes would
be assured. He accordingly induced
Fred to forge a check with his faith.
er's name, and thus was committed
his first act of crime.
They then went to New York,
where their money was speedily dis
posed of, and Bob, seeing that Fred
was now penniless. basely deserted
him.
Fred at first did not know what to
do, as he was without money or
friends. He could not 60 back to his
home with such a disgrace attached
to him, so the next thing was to look
for employment.
After long and tedious pursuit ne
succeeded in obtaining a position In
a small office, for which he was poor.
ly paid. He remained there about six
months and then obtained more
lucrative position as travelling sales
man for a leading New York firm.
One of his trips took him to Ohio,
to the city of Cleveland. where he met
a beautiful girl.
Alice Hastings was pet of society
and used to being admired. She
showed a marked preference for Fred
from the first and soon became as
much attached to him as he was to
her. They were engaged about six
months and then there was a quiet
wedding at Alice's home. Their
honeymoon was spent in making a
tour of the States, but alas. his hap
piness was to be short lived.
While stopping at one Of the prin-
cipal hotels in Chicago Alice met
stranger whose polished manners and
flattering tongue, together with his
handsome face, soon won her affec-
tions She walked with him, danced
with him and drove with him. despite
her husbands objections.
His kind heart forgave her many
things, thinking she would soon for
get the stranger.
One night, after hard days toll of
travel and dust and smoke of trains.
Fred returned to his hotel footsore
and weary. He climbed the stairs to
his room with heavy heart. There
was an indescribable something which
would not take form Juggling at his
heartstrings. He longed, yet dreaded
to enter his apartment. At last he
reached the door and fitting the key
to the lock he pushed 1t open and
stood inside.
The room held no other occupant
He passed on to the next. calling as
he went. "Alice, Alice!" but no re-
spouse. He searched them all, but
in vain. Then he thought she must
be at the opera. when suddenly his
eye caught sight of a note on the
mantel, in a conspicuous place.
He snached it. opened 1t and
read, Dear Fred-You know the
lines, I have another life to meet.
without which life my life is incom-
plete.' l have met that life and must
abide with it. Don't look for me, for
by the time you read this note I shall
be far away. Don't grieve for me.
Fred. but try to forgive and forget
Your lost Alice"
"And the husband?" asked the
miners and drummers who had been
listening intently. rs here" Tom
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