Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1878-04-04
POPPET'S CIGARETTE.

On one Of the brightest days of a bright
June, two of the fairest of fair company,
at seaside resort. sat beneath a lux
urious tree in pine grove, engaged in
that richest of the sweet emplOym ents,
discussing the personal qualities Of Mr.
Dick Redfern, who, lucky dog, was en-
gagged to be married to one of the
jewels, whose name was Agnes Gather
inc Preston, but who was familiarly
called Poppet" by her friends.
My love-" said she addressing her
companion, who lay with her head rest
ing upon her hands, observing her
through her half-shut eyes, My love, I
am not above admitting to you that l
think I've got a pretty good sort of a
fellow on the whole. | admit that he
has a few bIemishes; who has not?
There are a few points in which [ could
correct him, but, taking him all in all,
/ think that, with firm hand and reso-
lutte will, can bring him into tolerable
subsection. / do not feel sure that q
girl of your easy temperament would
succeed with him, but [, being possess
ed of considerable vim and fire, am con-
yinced that the task will occupy me but
few hours; and so | think [ am safe in
permitting you to congratulate me on
my acquisition. In one week after our
marriage we shall be the happiest
couple in the state.
But suppose he kicks ?"
Kicks" this with surprised en-
phasis).
eyes, kicks, 1t seems reasonable
enough that young fellow, who is en-
ticed out of bachelorhood by a pretty
fair sort of a girl, will not entirely re
linguish his independence without a
fight And. even at the risk of making
sworn foe of you, [ should like to sug-
gest something that has probably never
entered your head"
What is itY'
"Will you promise not to fly at me ?"
Nonsense; I'm not a fury"
every well, then | should like just to
hint, in the most amicable way, that
you have a few slight faults Of your
own
"I-faultsr'
You have some decided faults"
Such as what, pray?"
ooh, now, that's another thing |
don't profess to be able to point out
the beams in your eye, when am con-
scious there are plenty of notes in my
own"
Now, please-please, Molly"
"Do you really want me to tell?
Truly and hCnestly?"
Certainly" was the faint response,
uttered with an appehensive look.r
Well, included among the rest"
proceeded the indomitabe critic, 81
oh oh holi of II,
your own self, an inability to look be-
You'd your own desire. If you were
asked, for instance, to give up pleas
ure for the good of your husband, or
for the benefit of any one else, you
would never consent with good grace
1t is clear selfishne:s, mixed with a
good proportion of pride, which is, if
you will permit a dear friend to say so,
extremely silly"
Well-wellp'
And"
ooh, wait a moment; let me COM
prehend this first. Obstinate, fooIishly
proud, SELFISH think l have it-gO
on"
"No. On the whole / think [ won't.
You've got it all there. All the rest of
the flaws in your style of mind and
temper are subordinate to those. Cor
rect these radical faults, and you will be
an angelo
"Oh, but l don't admit word of
it,.
Indeedw
Certainly not. On the contrary, |
am sure you have made mistake /
am generous, confiding, yielding, and
amible; but-oh, Molly, have you got
cigarette in your pocket feel that |
cannot continue the course Of my re
marks without stimulant."
| am ashamed to say that the blonde
haired Molly thrust her hand into her
of Honradas, from which her compan-
ion extracted a dainty, white paper
tube, and lighted it with a practiced
hand. She placed it between her lips,
and enjoyingly drew in a volume of
smoke; then emitted it IN slender
stream, until it was nearly exhausted;
and then she heard a step in the grass
behind her, and, being startled, she
pulled out the rest through her nostrils,
after the manner of the Cubans, and
looked around.
She saw her sweetheart, Dick, tower
ing above her, with curious express
sion upon his face. He said nothing.
She nodded, and, placing the cigarette
between her lips, she put out her
hand to him. He took it, and sat
down.
by George exclaimed he, first
bowling to Molly.
"What is the matter?" cried Poppet
/ am surprised COMPOUNDED y
At what?'
At you"
An excellent subject"
. That's q fact. l thought you agreed
with me the other night that this woman
smoking is a bad habit?"
Yes. certainly-if it as a habit. II
is dreadful"
"Then it isn't the smoking, it's only
the habit you refer to, is it?"
Poppet looked puzzled. There was &
silence, long one, meanwhile Poppet
smoked vigorously; her little cloud:
pulled into the two faces beside her. anG
Dick began TO grow red. Finally he
got up.
Poppet, I'd like to speak to you {
moment"
"Oh, dear! What's it about, Dick
| can't get up
Every well, then"
He looked moody.
lis it about smoking ?-is it?"
why, yes
"Oh, then, If you are going to scold
why do you want to take me aside? l
n ic sensible whv NOT oiya Molly III.