The Ordway new era., 1915-02-19
THE LAST STRAW
sy GEORGE MUNsoN.

"Out of job. nve dollars left In the
world. and Cynthia has gone back on
me. Why not end 1t alt"
| Those were the musings OF Harold
Lanark ~ ho stood upon the end OF
the pier and watched the dark water
Of the river flowing beneath ham.
Ono 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 20 back to his fathers
home in the country. He had lost
his position the day before. owing to
= cutting down Of costs In the factory.
and he saw no opportunity Of another
for . long time. Then Cynthia's let
ter for . miserable little
Feeling pretty bad. eh. young manf"
inquired . voice at his side.
The youth turned to md himself
looking into the eyes Of man Of about
nfty years. He was neatly dressed. .
diamond pin glittered in his cravat.
and he had all the aspect Of we'll
to-do man Of the world.
Nov II I were to hazard . guess"
said tho stranger. II should say that
your girl had gone back on you."
"And I've lost my position and have
had nothing but Ill luck since came
to the city" said Harold.
"And 20 you're meditatins the nnal
plunge into the stream Of Lethe. chr"
continued the other. "A swift and
rapid oblivion. But suppose. young
man, that death does not bring OBJ
livionf"
Harold had mot thought Of that. He
had thought Of nothing but his own
miserable situation.
you have youth and health" con-
tinued the other. "And you are not
penniless. surelyf'
II have nve dollars In the world"
said the young man. with . hard
laugh.
Then what more can you want?"
the other inquired. you think you
are 20 badly OF. Now look at me. ]
am nearly . millionaire. have. In
fact, close on nine hundred thousand
dollars. Yet am worse on than you"
How. siri" asked the other.
Because my doctor has given me
six months to live unless drop ev-
erything and 90 West. To 90 West
means financial ruin just now. 1t
means the inability to stay and defend
. lawsuit which will ruin my reputa-
tion. And I. like you. was msditating
the fnal plunge"
Il wouldn't mind changing places
with you. air. said the young man.
thoughtfully.
The other laughed mirthlsssly. TN
tell you what we'll do" he said. Il
have-well, never mind how much
money ON me. II ID enough to en-
able you to live for . year. Give
me your ave dollars and I will give You
what have. Give mo your name and
take mine-it 10 . common one and mo-
bod, will look twice at you on &C
count OF II. Give me the inspiratioo
Of youth and i've dollars in my pocket.
and take the lassitude and disappoint-
ment Of age and comparative anu
ence"
."ITl do IT," cried the other.
"In . year's time you will meet me
here again. the elder man continued.
after they had elected the exchange.
and Harold. with bullying pocket
book. was beginning to think more
hopefully OF life. Meet me here then
and let US zee how we have Jared. Al.
II in the early struggle that gives one
inspiration to succeed" He turned
away.
promise to meet ne here at the
end OF = year!" the elder man re-
sumed. wheeling round upon Harold.
II PROMISE" said the young fellow.
And your name!"
John Graham"
Mine IL Harold Lanark.s
They shook hands warmly and the
elder man departed. leaving Harold
upon the pier, gazing at the dark va.
tiers In rapt astonishment.
He went home. walking . mile and
moro to the little hall bedroom which
he occupied in . rooming house. He
entered lit the gas. and pulled out his
pocketbook- The bulging bills dropped
out In great heap upon the table.
They were cisarstore coupons. He
had been robbed OF his last nve dol
lars!
He sprang to his feet, and then he
I perceived two letters thrust under
meath the door. One bore the STAMP
OF the company which had employed
HIM. He tore It open
Dear Sir" 1t ran. after reconsider
ing our plans for the future We have
come to the conclusion that We made
mistake In asking for your resiSna
4 tion. We are about to start . new
branch and can utilise your knowl
| edge OF trade conditions. Kindly re
| port for work tomorrow morning"
Tho second envelope was addressed