Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1921-03-10


duced to the depths Of despair by her
sudden and unaccountable withdrawal
David comes to have genuine liking
for the couple, so much so that when
the Micawbers, having failed to meet
certain financial obligations, are oblig-
ed TO move to prison, and David to
seek new quarters, he feels such
sense of loneliness that he determines
to run away to his aunt, Betsey Trot-
wood at Dover, an aunt whom he has
never seen, but of whom he remem.
bers to have heard
The aunt adopts him and sends him
to school at Canterbury, where he
boards with his aunt's lawyer and
man Of affairs, Mr.. Wickfield, and his
daughter Agnes, whose serene good
ness becomes constant inspiration to
David. Here also he comes in contact
with Mr.. Wickfeld's clerk, Uriah Heep,
"a very tumble person." an individual
with a cadaverous face and a head
covered with carroty stubble, red eyes,
which have a curiously unshaded ap.
pearance, and which seem to David to
be ceaselessly watchful His grOveling
humility and clammy hand grasp fill
David with uncomfortable loathing and
distrust.
Having graduated with honOrs, Da.
vid decides to become proctor and
enters the Office of Spenlow and Jor-
kins. He at once falls head over heels
in love with Mr.. Spenlow's distracting.
ly pretty daughter, Dora, who returns
his affection. On hearing that Peggot
tvs husband is dying, David makes a
hurried visit to Yarmouth to comfort
his old nurse. While there, Emily, with
in few days of becoming Hams
bride, little Emily, the precious treas
ure of her old uncle's heart, disappears
and with her Steerforth. Carried away
by his gallantry and persuaded that
he will make her "a lady," Emily is
none the less distracted by sense of
terrible humiliation and of degrade.
ton, for which she implores her I'M
cles forgiveness. David, overcome by
the thought that it was he who first
brought Steerforth to Yarmouth, re-
turns to London, to find that his aunt
has lost the greater part of her for
tune. This makes it necessary for Da.
vid to add to their income by using
oil his spare time in literary work.
Dora continues uppermost in his
thoughts, although Mr.. Spenlow OPP
poses the match. His sudden death
leaves the timid, trustful, artIess Dora,
to the surprise of all, nearly penni-
less. David's income though slender,
permits Of their marriage.
With all his love for his child wife,
as she calls herself, he finds that her
gay responsibility results in anything
but a comfortable home. After vainly
trying to develop her childish nature
he uncomplain'ngly makes the best OF
it and continues to admire her bewitch-
ing ways. Meanwhile Uriah Heep has
managed by deceit to worm his way
into partnership with Mr.. Wickfield
after which he proceeds to gain full
control of the business. Considering
Mr.. Micawber likely to be a useful tool,
Uriah hires him in the capacity of
clerk, at such meagre salary that
Mr.. Micawber is obliged to borrow
sums Of money from Heep, who takes
advantage Of this Indebtedness to force
Mr.. Micawber to assist him in his dis
honest practices.
At the end of year Mr.. Micawber
requests an interview with David and
his aunt at Canterbury. They find him
filed with righteous contempt for
Uriah Heep, the hypocritical plotter,
and prepared to make a s-yeeping ex-
posure, which he forthwith proceeds to
do in his Hottest style which results
in the recovery of Betsey Trotwood's
money, full restitution to Mr.. Wick
field, and, in Mr. Micawbers own
words, the final pulverization of Heep.
Blossom" as David delights to call
Dora, proves as frail as the name, and
in spite of his tenderest care she
droops and at length is gone.
AS at other times Of trial, it is the
quick sympathy of Agnes Wickfield
that softens the pain, and through her
influence David plans to go abroad for
a time. Meanwhile out Of gratitude to
Mr.. Micawber for his service in the
recovery of her money, Betsey Trot-
wood offers to help the Micawbers to
make a new start in Australia. The
family joyfully accepts the PROPOSE
ton and prepare to sail on the same
ship with Emily and her devoted I'M
Gle, to whom she has at last returned,
and who is accompanying her to the
distant colony to begin life anew. Be
fore bidding these good friends fare
well, David visits Yarmouth once more
and witnesses the last scene of Emily's
tragedy. A raging tempest beats a ship
to pieces just of the coast. One living
person is seen still clinging to the
mast, and the irony Of fate sends Ham
to his death in his efforts 20 rescue
that creature, whose body when wash
ed ashore proves to be that of Steer
forth.
After three years absence abroad,
David returns to England, and gradu-