The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1915-01-25
The LAST STRAW
BY GEORGE MuNsoN.

world, and Cynthia has gone back on
me. Why not end it all?"
Those were the musings of Harold
Lanark as he stood upon the end OF
the pier and watched the dark water
Of the river flowing beneath him.
One plunge, little struggle. and all
would be over.
At the age OF twenty-four he had not
succeeded in making good. He was
ashamed to go back to his fathers
home in the country. He had lost
his position the day before. owing TO
a cutting down of costs in the factory.
and he saw no opportunity of another
for a long time. Then Cynthia's let
ter for a miserable little
Feeling pretty bad, en-, young man."
1 inquired a voice at his side.
The youth turned TO find himself
1 looking into the eyes OF man Of about
! fifty years He was neatly dressed, 4
diamond pin glittered in his cravat,
and he had all the aspect of we'll
TODD man of the world.
Now if ] were to hazard a guess"
said the stranger, Il should say that
your girl had gone back on you
And I've lost my position and have
had nothing but i'll luck since | came
to the city" said Harold.
And so you're meditating the final
plunge into the stream of Lethe, eh?'
continued the other "A swift and
rapid Oblivion. But suppose, young
man, that death does not bring OBJ
livion?"
Harold had not thought of that. He
bad thought of nothing but his own
miserable situation.
You have youth and health" con-
tinued the other. And you are not
penniless, surely?"
Il have five dollars in the world"
said the young man, with q hard
laugh.
Then what more can you want?"
the other inquired. You think you
. are so badly OF. Now look at me.
, am nearly millionaire. l have, in
; fact, close on nine hundred thousand
dollars. Yet am worse on than you"
, How. sir2" asked the other.
Because my doctor has given me
six months to live unless l drop ev-
erytlling and go West. To go West
means financial ruin just now 1t
means the inability to stay and defend
2 a lawsuit which will ruin my reputa-
ton. And |, like you, was meditating
! the final plunge
, Il wouldn't mind changing places
4 with you. sir" said the young man,
h thoughtfully.
: The other laughed mirthlessly. "I1l
tell you what we'll do" he said. Il
e have-well, never mind how much
f money on me. Ii is enough TO ell.
able you to live for a year. Give
me your five dollars and | viii give you
what | have. Give me your name and
r take mine-it is a common one and no
q body Will look twice at you on &C
Is count of it. Give me the inspiration
= OF youth and five dollars in my pocket
3 and take the lassitude and disappoint
ment of age and comparative affiu
ence"
III do it," cried the other
= In a years time you will meet ms
l. here again." the elder man continued
a after they had effected the exchange
e and Harold, with a bullying pocket
Z book, was beginning TO think NOR
e hopefully of life. Meet me here thor
( and let us see how we have Jared All
IL is the early struggle that gives on
inspiration TO succeed" He turnet
a away.
II Promise to meet me here at tn
I end of a year," the elder man re
i sumed, wheeling round upon Harold
a Il promise" said the young fellow
| And your Nance"
| John Graham"
| Mine is Harold Lanark."
| They shook hands warmly and IN
| elder man departed, leaving Harol
| upon the pier, gazing at the dark W;
| tiers in rapt establishment.
| He went home, walking a mile an
more to the little hall bedroom whic
\ he occupied in rooming house. II
| entered lit the gas. and pulled out hi
II pocketboo1. The bullying bills droppe
out in a great heap upon the table
u They we're cigar-store coupons. II
had been robbed of his last FIVE dc
/ lars!
He sprang to his feet, and then I
4 perceived two letters thrust unde
Il meath the door. One bore the stan
n of the company which had employe
him. He tore it open.
Dear Sir" it ran, after reconside
ing our plans for the future we hay
come to. the conclusion that we mac
a mistake in asking for your resign
y ton. We are about TO start a ne
branch and can utilize your know
edge Of trade conditions. Kindly I
w port for work tomorrow morning"
ne The second envelope was address
in handwriting which sent the bio
- to the young mans head
Harold, dearest" ran the lett,
ID won't you forgive me for my unkir
ness and hardness of heart? | 10
you. Harold, whatever happens. and