Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1878-07-16

REMORSELESS APOTHECARY.
The course of true love sometime runs
smoothly enough. Many instances could
be mentioned in proof of this statement
and in every mans observation, if he is
past the middle age, cases of love that
ran with gentle motion and uniform
flow can be recalled Where their ages
are suitable and they are about equal in
wealth, where the lovers belong to the
same church and their fathers to the
same party, where it is well understood
on either side that the party of the other
part is to bring large fixed amount of
property into the matrimonial partner
ship, and where each one of the affianc-
ed is blessed with tolerabiy good looks,
good manners and good sense, their true
love seems to run as Smooth as grass"
on through the honeymoon and down to
the time when they begin to study the
way to divide their thrift won wealth
among their grand children. There are
very many cases of the opposite kind,
almost enough to justify the complaint
which came from the fairy land that the
''course of true love never did run
smoothly" Such was its course in the
case of Benjamin Smith and Lily Lent,
of Brooklyn. After prolonged court
ship of six weeks they wanted to get
married, but the parents of Lily oppos
ed the match, and shut Benjamin out Of
the house, according to the plan univ
ersally pursued by parents more arbi-
trary than wise. But love laughs at
those which dangle on lovers tSkds.-
They wanted to meet and they proved
anew that where is will there is way.
They met often, and were only the more
resolute in pursuit of welded bliss in
cons equence of the opposition of the
damsel's father and mother.
Their last interview but one was on
Friday, and then she agreed to meet him
the next night at a theatre, but she fail
ed to keep her appointment, and Ben
jamin became very respondent. He
imagined all manner of reasons for her
failure. Although ise had but little
mind, this cold neglect preyed upon it.
1t was more than he could bear, and he
went to drug store, bought an ounce
of laudanum, and then turned the whole
subject over in his little mind. Suicide
was no small affair, and was not to be
resorted to without due reflection. He
meditated upon the step he was about to
take until bedtime, and after 4 refresh.
ing sleep resumed his cogitations early
on Sunday morning precisely where he
left off. He took his vial Of cold poison
from his pantaloons pocket. gazed upon
its dark contents, and boldly uncorked
it and placed it to his nose. Satisfied
that it was genuine, and feeling like
man who had his destiny in his hands,
he calmly proceeded to battle. shave aud
dress himself, selecting his best attire,
parting his well-oiled hair exactly on
~ a%rnv ~. I,
patent leather shoes and noistening his
moustache and handkerchief with the
balm of thousand flowers. He BRUSH
ed his cylindrical hat until no slken
fibre lay amiss. He applied red rag to
his cheeks and lips and drew the bow Of
his yellow necktie with the TIPS of his
fingers. He polished his little rattan
cane with corner of the bed quilt, took
good draft from his bottle of Old Lon
don Dock, locked his bureau drawers,
balanced his hat over his smooth hair
and went forth to seek break fast and
death.
After his appetite was appeased he
walked at leisure through the quiet
streets, saddened by every happy face
he met, and wondering to what lone
spot he should go to leave bis corpse.
Late in the afternoon, (for Benjamin
seems to have been in no esps cial haste
to lie down ia dusty death, he CHANGED
to meet the discOnsOiate Lilly alone, and,
like himself, lamenting her cruel lot
Her failure to meet him at the theatrical
rendezvous was fully accounted for as
the result of maternal restraint. While
this apologetic relation went on the
lovers wandered on until they came to
a cemetery and in its silent walks Benz
jamin informed the idol of his heart that
he was about to shuttle off his troubles
by means of laudanum. The troubled
Lily at first demonstrated, but by degrees
was persuaded that he was right in end
ing q life which iaaust be q lasting misery
without her; and from this point she
easily reached the conclusion that what
was good for her lover must be equally |
wholesome and proper for herself She
therefore resolved to join him in his
suicidal enterprise, sand was delighted
beyond expression when he exhibited
his little vial Of narcotic consolation for
the ills of life.
When they passed beyond the GENE
lery the Sunday sun was sinking behind
Staten Island, and when it was dark
hey found themselves alone in forest.
They sat down on a green bank, the
WAS pTOuuceu, WHeH bcHla-
min put his thumb nail about half way
III the vial for guidance and quickly
,wallowed his share. Then Lily, faith
'ul unto death, drained the last drop of
he remaining half ounce. The babes
n the woods then tenderly entwined
ZACH other and patiently waited for fur
her developments. They were disap-
pointed Death would not come at their
bidding, but the laudanum made them
10th extremely seasick.
The heroic Smith went after more
audanum, which they swallowed, but
till Pale Death refused to obey their
umncns. Then they went to the near
st house and spent the balance of the
light, and when early dawn cleaned
ran, The east Smith arose Washed his