Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1880-04-28
Scientific Suicide.

'Oh, don't say that, uncle said
Lizzie Silver, beseechiugly. You
know l love you. You are the only
friend have in the world, aud if you
were TO die what would become OF me ?
L suppose young Guy Cheevers
would console you for my loss'' SAID
Mr.. Maddox. grimly.
AT any rate l don't care. Twill end
my troubles aud sorrows tomorrow eat
twelve 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 now, Bess? Has
the millner disappointed you in your
love OF a bonnet p asked warm, hearty
voice. which was the property of young
Choyers,' as Mr.. Maddox called him
as that gentleman strobe into the room.
'Oh, Guyv sobbod Lizzie Uncle
Cyrus is going 10 die tomorrow al
twelve o'clock
How do you know' asked Guy.
He said so.'
But hoy does he know"
.ITo,s .,oioo, IN kill HIMSELF
so as to make himsclfa true prophet
ell p asked Guy, laughing.
oh, Guy, don't joke !! Lizzie tear
fully. lie will i know he wlllv
Il doubt lt!' said Guy, skeptically.
But be tried to commit suicide
several times persisted LIZZIE, tear
fully. Once he tried to smother him.
self with burning charcoal; but he for
got to stop up the key-hole, and L smelt
the smoke and got some nelghbors to
break open the door, and saved him.
Then he tried TO hang himself, but the
cord broke, and he fired pistol at him.
self but he forgot to put any ball ln
IN it, so that failed, and then
'Graclous!' cried Guy, as Lizzie
stopped for want of breath what a
determined man he must be ! Sucf
perseverance, deserves to be rewarded
Have you any idev what plan be will
try next?
Pm sure l don't know said Lizzie
mournlully. Something dreadful, !
suppose
But what does he want to make
away with himself fOr'' asked Guy
wondcrlngly.
why, he says he is a miserable
man, burden to every one, and tha
life has no joys for him, and that he Ii
weary of This world
And SO would like TO try the next?
said Guy. Perhaps he won't find it a
pleasant as the one he is quitting
What an unreasonable man he mus
he : He is rich, talented, healthy, AM
las very pretty niece'-here, in
moment of abstraction, he allowed hi
arm to wander around Miss Silver
waist and what more can he want
But some people never are satisfied
It seems he Is determined to pry int
ruturily, and it seems q pity to dIsaF
point so laudable an ambition ; bu
duty-duty to myself-compels me t
interfere. l dislike scandal or excite
ment. \ coroner's jury would caus
both, therefore we must balk his llttl
game.
But how?' asked Lizzie, curiouslJ
{ A prudent General said Guy
haughtily, never confdes his plans
his army, particularly when that army
is of the feminine gender-so excus
me mnm's the word but rest assured
nv dearest Elizabeth, that unless yoa
worthy uncle shuflles of this morta
5 coil in a surreplitious manner beler
: twelve o'clock tomorrow, he Will nc
, do it afterward-of course L mea
ILLEGALLY. Farewell till tomorrow
Having concluded this address, Gu
strobe OF in a tragic manner, leavin
Lizzie greatly surprised, but still rea'
sured. for in her opinion what Gu
cnld not do was not worth doing.
The next morning Mr.. Maddox mao
r his appearance very saturnine an
i gloomy and ate his breakfast with
mournful air that was terribly impress
!. i've. Having fnished, he then too
o leave of his nelce in a feeling manner
r L am about to leave you,' he sale
. m3urnfully. M L am about to end th
q. life of misery. 1 hope you may
happy =,
'Oh, don't co. said Lizze, fearful.
clinging to him, and looking up in'
b. his face pleadingly.
IT'S useless said Mr.. MADDOX
firmly.
INV mind is 6xed, and nothing u
Il may say canGersuade me to relinquIs
my purpose. But you, my dear chill
shall not be unproYided for. | inten
o to make my will not be forgotten
Good-by, my dear child-farewell!-
and then, after embracing his ME
# lervently, Mr.. Maddox rushed from tn
room frautically aud securely locke
|. himself in his own room, and began
h urepare himself for his last journey.
Nine O'Clock! y he said to hius'
y looking at his watch. Three hou
/. vet. Enough to 10 all l have to q
First to make my will
II The last will and testament oil d
Il CYRUS Maddox was evidently not a 10
ie one. as it was finished IN an hour.
Eleven o'clock = said Mr.. Maddo
IL and bayc finished. How slow t
= ;, time passes to be sure! Now wi
a. .TAlA