THE FIEST HATCH 143 



pletes his cycle in an uncertain period and falls 

 upon bad times. For a month before we parted 

 company I saw signs of relapse in Sam. He 

 was loquacious at times, at other times morose. 

 He talked about going into business for himself, 

 and his nose took on new color. I labored 

 with him, but to no purpose ; the spirit of un- 

 rest was upon him, and it had to work its own. 

 I held him firm long enough to secure another 

 man, and then we parted, he to do business for 

 himself, I to get on as best I could. Sam 

 painted his nose and raised chickens and other 

 things until his savings had flown ; then he got 

 a position with a woman who runs a broiler 

 plant, and for two years he has given good 

 service. He will probably continue in ways of 

 well-doing until the next cycle is complete, when 

 the beacon light will blaze afresh and he will 

 follow it on to the rocks. Such a man is more 

 to be pitied than condemned, for his anchor is 

 sure to drag at times. 



