The Washington times., 1920-10-28

tion OF some young men of his ac-
quaintance that he had invested
rather generously In Grantham
mining stock at twenty-five cents a
share, and had promptly forgotten
the transaction. To cut long story
short. in addition to Mr.. Bentiey's
house and other effects. Mr.. Parr
became the owner OF the Grantham
stock. which not long after went to
one hundred dollars. The reader
may do the figuring.
There was some talk at this time.
but many things had happened
since. For example. Mr.. Parr had
given away great sums In charity.
And 1t may likewise be added in his
favor that Mr.. Bentley was glad to
be rid of his fortune. He had said
so. He decided his pew back to st.
Johns. and protesting to his friends
that he was not unhappy. he disap-
peared from the sight of all save a
few. The rising waters OF Pros
perity closed over him. But Elisa
Pleston, now Mrs. Parr. was one OF
those who were never to behold him
again--in this world, at least
She was another conspicuous tri-
umph in that career we are depict
ing. Gradual indeed had been the
ascent from the sweeping out OF
store to the marrying OF a Preston.
but none the less sure-inevitable
For many years after this event,
Eldon Parr lived modestly in what
was known as a "stone- front" house
in Ransome street. set well above
the sidewalk. with q long flight Of
yellow stone steps leading to It:
steps scubbed with Sapolio twice a
week by a negro in rubber boots.
There was a stable with q tarred
roof in the rear. TO be discerned be-
yond the conventional side lawn
that was broken into by the bay
window Of the dining room. There.
In that house, his two children were
born: there. within those inartistic
walls, Eliza Preston lived a life
that will remain q closed book for
over. What she thought. what she
dreamed, II anything. will never be
revealed.
A REAL GRIEF.
She did not, at least, have neu-
rasthenia, and, for all the world
knew, she may have loved her ex-
emplary and successful husband,
with whom her life was as regular
as the Strasburg clock. She break
tasted at eight and dined at seven:
she heard her children's lessons and
read them Bible stories: and at
half past ten every Sunday morn
ing, rain or shine, walked with them
and her husband to the cars on
Tower street to attend service at
St. Johns, for Mr.. Parr had scruples
in those days about using the car
riage on the Sabbath.
She did not live, alas. to enjoy for
long the Medjcean magnificence OF
the mansion facing the Park. to be
a companion moon in the greater
orbit Eldon PARIS grief was real,
and the beautiful English window
in the south transept of the church
bears witness to II. And yet 1t can
not be said that he sought solace in
religion, so apparently STEPPED In
II had he always been. 1t was des-
tiny, indeed. that he should ulti-
mately become the vestry as well
as the first layman of the diocese;
unobtrusively, as he had accom-
pIi.hed everything else in life, in
spite Of Prestons and Warnings, At
terburys, Goodriches and Cores.
And he was wont to love his
weighty business affairs to shift for
themselves while he attended the
diocesan and general conventions
of his church.
He gave judiciously. as becomes
one who holds a fortune in trust,
yet generously, always permitting
others to help, until st. Johns was
a very gem OF finished beauty.
And, as the Rothschilds and the
FugRers made money for grateful
kings and popes. so in a demo-
cratic age Eldon Parr became the
benefactor OF an adulatory public.
The university, the. library. the
hospitals and the parks Of his
chosen city bear witness.
For forty years DR.. Gilman had
been the rector Of st. Johns One
Sunday morning he preached his
not unfamiliar sermon on the text,
"For now we see through a glass,
darkly: but then face to face" and
when the next Sunday dawned he
was In his grave in winterbourne
Cemetery, sincerely mourned swith-
in the parish and without.
- ~ potnra ~ marital fhtn0s