The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1880-04-14

You read in letters sharp and clear,
'Though lost to Sight, to Memory DEAR"
Austin Do6son.
SCIENTIFIC SUICIDE.
II am miserable man, said Cyrus
Maddox, gloomily, "and it Is best that
the world should be rid of my presence.
no one cares for me-"
"Oh, don't say that, uncle" said Lizzie
Silver, beseechingly. "You know I love
you. You are the only friend have in
the world, and if you were to die what
would become of met"
II suppose young Guy Cheevers would
console you for my loss, said Mr.. Mad
dox, grimly.
AT any rate, don't care. I will end
my troubles and sorrow tomorrow at 10
o'clock"
And with these fearful words he strobe
out of the room, leaving Lizzie sobbing,
with her curly black head resting on a
dinner.plate.
''What's the matter, Bess2 Has the
milliner disappointed you in your love Of
bennett asked warm, CHEEKY voice,
which was the property. of ''young Guy
Cheevers," as Mr.. Maddox called him
as that gentleman strobe into the
room.
ooh, Guy,p' sobbed Lizzie. "Uncle
Cyrus is going to die tomorrow at 10
o'clock.
Chow do you knows" asked Guy.
"He said So"
''But how does he know?"
"He's going to kill himsel1.'
$50 as to make himself true prophet,
eh7" asked Guy, laughing.
ooh, Guy, don't joke!" cried Lizzie,
tearfully. "He WILL know he will p
II doubt it!' ssid Guy, skeptically.
"But he tried to commit suicide sever
al times" persisted Lizzie, tearfully
"Once he tried to smother himself with
burning charcoal; but he forgot to stop
up the keyhole, and smelt the smoke
and got some neighbors to open the door
and saved him. Then he tried to hang
himself, but the cord broke: then he FREQ
pistol at himself, but he forgot to put
any ball in it, so that failed. And then
he tried"
"Graciousl' c1,ed Guy, as Lizzie stop
ped for want Of breath, "what deter
mined man he must bel Such persever
ance deserves to he rewarded. Have yor
any idea what plan he will try next9'
"I'm sure I don't know, something
dreadful, 1 SUPPOSE said poor Lizzie
mourntully.
''But what does he want to make away
with himself tor9' questioned Guy, won
deringlY.
"Why, he says he's miserable man {
burden to every one, and that life has NJ
charms for him; that he Is weary of thi!
world---'
"And so would like to try the next2'
put IN Guy. "Perhaps he won't find i
as pleasant as the one he IS quitting
What an unreasonable man he must be
He is rich, talented, healthy, and has 6
very pretty niece'-here in moment d
abstraction, he allowed his arm to wan
der around Miss Silver's waist-"anG
what more can he want? But some PEG.
pie never are satisfied. It seems that he
is determined to pry into tuturity. and il
seems pity to disappoint so laudable an
ambition; but duty-duty to myself com.
pels me to interfere. l dislike scandal
or excitement. A coroner's Jury woulo
cause both, therefore, we must balk his
little game"
"But howe" asked Lizzie, curiously.
A prudent General, said Guy, haughti.
ly, "never confdes his plans to his army
particularly when that army is Of the
feminine gender-so excuse me; NUNS
the word; but rest assured, my dearest
Elizabeth, that unless your worthy uncle
shuffles off this mortal coil IN surrepti
tlous manner before 10 o'clock to-mor.
row, he will not do it afterward-of course
mean illegally. Farewell till to-mor.
row."
Having concluded this address, Guy
strobe off IN tragic manner, leaving
Lizzie greatly surprised, but still quite
treasured, for in her opinion what Guy
could not do was not worth doing.
The next morning Mr.. Maddox made
his appearance very saturnine and gloomy
and ate his breakfast with a mournfu
. air that was terribly impressive. Having
finished, he then took leave of his niece
in feeling manner. .
II am about to leave you,' he sale
mournfully. II am about to end this
life of misery. hope that you may be
happy p8y down. 40 . said 1,;zz;e +..rf,,,,r
clinglng to him, and looking up into his
face pleadingly.
tits useless" SAID MT. MaooC4, nrmly
my mind Is fixed, and nothing you may
say can persuade me to relinqulsh my
purpose. Butyou, my dear child, shall
not be unprovided for. I intend to make
my will in the few hours that are left me-
and you will not be forgotten. Good
by, my dear chlld-faYwell p'-and then
after embracing his niece fervently, Mr..
Maddox rushed from the room frantical-
ly and securely locked himself in his own
room, and began to prepare himself for
his last journey.
mine o'clockl" he said to himself.
looking at his watch. ''Three hours yet.
enough to do all have to do. First to
make my will"
The last will and testament of Mr.. Cy-
rus Maddox was evidently not long one,
as it was finished in an hour.