The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1879-03-28
POISONED IN DESPAIR.

John GTimjohn was a bit of wag in his
way, and with fifty years experience gained
behind the counter of a large refreshment
saloon, be could pretty well tell what man
meant by his looks.
He was sitting very quietly, one day,
reading his daily paper, aud trying to IN
derstand how it was that the Turks and
the Russians we're both getting the best of
it., when a seedy- looking individual enter
ed the place.
s'Glass of bitters,' said the stranger,
heaving a deep sigh, and staring hard at
John, as he took down clear glass, and
drew q foaming draught of the amber
liquid, which he placed clear and sparkling
before the visitor.
"Here are ny last two coppers," said
the stranger, with heavy sigh, as he laid
them on the counter Cor John to rake them
into the till.
"The last two pence" said the man
again, as be laid his band upon the stem
of the glass, staring hard the while at
John as if ne expected the two pence to be
refunded.
L
said John to himself, Il don't think l
should spend it in beer. I might in tobac-
CO, but 1 think it would go iu- bread
He did not speak, however, but sat
down, and took up his paper, and began
reading again. There was no one in the
place, so the stranger went on again.
"My last two pence" he said, more
loudly. ''Wben I have swallowed this
beer shall be = beggar and an outcast, "
"With glass of beer inside him, said
John, seutentiously.
'TEh ~
''With glass Of beer inside him." said
John, quietly.
eyes, to be sure" said the stranger
''but the last glass-the last. The world
has never given me chance the world
relects-scorns-does not care for me. ]
will poison myself-mix deadly drug
with this last glass, and be free of the
world"
John returned his paper, gave it a
punch in the middle, got it folded conve
niently, and went on reading.
II say" continued the stranger, loudly,
81 will poison myself where stand, anC
fall here dead, rs warning to a bruta
and unfeeling world"
John went on spelling through his pape
without moving muscle.
"Here, then, is an end of my WORTHLESS
self, " and the stranger, very deliberatel.
took a: small packet from an envelope
/ packet that looked like the white powde
! that goes with the blue under the name o
/ seidlitz; and this lie opened very deliber
ately, and emptied into the beer, where
. for the most part, it lay on the froth.
/ John looked up, saw what he was doing
and the state of affaiIs-how the whit
power emp:ied ont of the paper refused t
mix with the beer.
Like spoon p he said, getting up an
handing one.
ga spoon? Yes" said the stranger
with a mocking laugh that would hav
been worth ten shillings a night at th
Surrey Theatre.
As he spoke, he took the spoon, stirre
the liquor, and threw the little piece {
metal down, while John resumed his plac
and went on reading.
Farewell, cold world, farewell - sal
the stranger. They may bury we wheI
they will. I might have been great bI
now-ah, now, poor, neglected one the
may bury me in sunshine or in shadow
care me not"
He took up the glass, drained it to IL
last drop, and then, standing the gla
down, held on by the counter, and heavG
a tremendous sigh-one which souude
like satisfaction at the goodness of the bi
Ter beer.
AS for John, he went on reading as cool
as could be, his lips moving as though
were spelling over the big words.
The man uttered roar, and move
towards the entrance but, unable to co
tain his annoyance, be turned sharp
round, and came back.
'Vnlainous type of cold and heartle
world" he said, addressing John Grir
john, 'you have taken my last coin al
you sit there and let me poison myse
. without stretching out hand to save
without saying a word"
. "Have you taken poison -