The star. (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1874-1875, 1875-02-05
STORY OF A STYE.


STORY OF A STYE.
My story is sad one, and yet 1t may
fail to gain yeur sympathy. In your
heartlessness, it is possible the recital
of my woes may excite your hilarity
For this am prepared. All my lie my
sufferings have been the cause of unut.
terable anguish of body and mind to my.
self; TO my friends and fellOw-creatures,
the subject of a jest. The aches, pains
and eruptions to which my unfortunate
system is liable, together make up a
sum OF discomfort which is becoming in
tolerable; ana never do l timidly ven-
ture to mention my troubles in society,
without bringing upon myunhappy and
often-aching head an avalanche OF un-
merciful badinage.
l am MARTYR to rheumatism, and
Providence has blessed me with a liver
which is "a thing of beauty and JOY for
ever" to my medical adviser. When l
knew that worthy man first, he was a
chemists assistant. went to him with
some trifing complaint. liked him, and
soon called upon him with another: l be-
came his constant visitor. The range
OF my Affections was so immense, that
through Inc he soon obtained an insight
humanity.
Skill followed insight; practice trod
closely on the heels Of skill. To-day he
is popular doctor, and charges me four
times his original fee.
There are men, calling themselves my
friends, who have been mean enough to
assert that half of my diseases owe their
existence to my weekly perusal of that
excellent journal, the "Lancetp l have
always repelled the accusation with
scorn. So far from my ailments existing
only in my Imagination, they too often,
alas! give outward and visible signs Of
presence. l have brave, iRdomitable
spirit, and for years l have borne my
pains with heroism, and worn All out
ward smile while the most horrible tor
themselves; but l pine tor sympathy.
Could 1 but gain the smallest scrap of
pity for my wretchcd lot, l should be
happy in spite Of twinge, ache and throb.
Alas! my cheeks are roseate with the
bloom of youth, my proportions are stout,
my carriage erect-even my appearance
mocks me.
Without murmur hitherto l have
borne the callous and unfeeiing jokes OF
my friends and rcquaintances.
Twill bear them no longer.
will relate an accident Of my life that
will once and forever silence the idiots
who consider my tr.bulations as trifles-
the heartless monsters to whom my peri
Odical infections are source of merri-
ment. When these lines shalt fall be-
meath their eyes, may the tears Of sor-
row which shall drop upon the page
cleanse their souls from the iniquity OF
their Injustice toward the most miserable
of men.
Like all delicate persons, am exees-
siyely sensitive.
A pimplc-a little pimple-would be,
to ordinary men Il trifling in
To me it is not only an
ever-present distigurement--iti is bitter
sharp biting reminder OF my
sad life's blackest sorrow.
Hear my story and judge me by it.
In the summer Of 1919, was staying
at friends house III the country. Ny
health had been delicate, and l gladly
awaited myself Of his offer that / should
make my home with bim during the sam.
mer months.
My host was Brown by name, and
gentleman farmer by profession. 10 his
many good qualities he added that OF
being the falner OF two lovely daughters,
both OF marriageable age.
With the younger, Clcmintina, soon
fell madly IN love. How shall describe
The charm OF her whose features are pho
upon my heart? The ink re-
cedes from my pen, appalled, at the TASK
[ would set it.
Bring back to your memory the most
creatures you ever beheld; i'm
agine one ten times more lovely, and you
nave Clementina Brown-my Clement
whom pictured i'll my dreams
the gentle partner Of my future wife.
My days beneath her fathers 0ofpassed
in calm unrufiied peace. Through the
green lanes at times we walked together,
the talking and l listening. | rarely in.
terrupted her; drank in The swe mu-
sic OF her voice; my whole soul revcled
in the soft glory of her presence. Bah
what is this to you! lam u poet; you
may not be, and you will not appreciate
my feelings.
have set myself task let me hasten
10 the bitter end. e
The days went on, and my stay was
drawing 10 a close. Madly as | loved
had never told her so-in
words. My every look, my every action
spoke the secret of my heart; but my
,Ongue had never uttered it. think she
liked mel had almost written loved-
yes, / will write it, "lovcdW Why
should rob myself of the idea which has
been my only solace through four weary
years.
One day we had been together for a
onger ramblc than susual. My darling
was tired, and leaned upon my arm.
spoke Of my approaching departure.
cit her arm tremble. / lO,ked eagerly
mo her face. The color had reccded
rom her checks. Looking up, she caught
ny earnest gaze, and vivid blush |
Ipread itself over her face and rushed
downward to her neck.
"Let US walk quickly; we shall be late
or dinner"
That was all she said.
That night old Brown and i sat late |
,ver our pipes.
just as he was rising to ring for his |
,andle to retire, the words that had been |
N my lips for hours fell from them:
"Brown, old friend, have something
% say TO you."
"Well, ladw
"I-I love ClemeEtina,"
"I've seen it long ago."
"And you give youf consentP'
"To wbatW
"Tu our marriage"