The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1880-02-04
THE DAILY STAR
SCIENTIFIC SUICIDE.

presence. No one cares for me-"
"Oh, don't say that, uncle" said
Lizzie Silver, beseechingiy. "You know
love you. You are the only friend l
have in the world, and if you were to
die what would become of me%"
II suppose young Guy Cheevers would
console you for my loss" said Mr.. Mad
dox grimly.
"At any rate, l don't care. l will end
my troubles and SORROWS tomorrow at
II a m."
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 milliner disappointed you in your
love of bonnet3" asked warm, hearty
voice, which was the property of "young
Guy Cheevers," as Mr.. Maddox called
him-as that gentleman strobe into the
room.
"Oh, Guyw sobbed Lizzie, "Uncle
Cyrus is i going TO die tomorrow at u
"How do you knowr asked Guy.
"He said So"
"But how does he knowT'
"He's going to kill himself"
$50 as to make himself true prophet,
chi" asked Guy, laughing.
"Oh, Guy, don't joke,p cried Lizzie,
tearfully. "He will know he will"
II doubt itp said Guy, skeptically.
"But he tried to commit suicide sew
eral 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 break open
the door, and saved him. Then he tried
to hang himself, but the cord broke, and
he fred pistol at himself, but he forgot
to put any ball in it, so that failed, and
then--"
"Gracious!" cried Guy, as Lizzie
stopped for want of breath; "what de-
termined man he must bel Such perse-
veranoe deserves to be rewarded. Have
you any idea what plan he will try
now%'
"T'm sure don't know" said Lizzie,
mournfully. Something dreadful, l
suppose" .,...,
away with himself for%' asked Guy,
wonderingly.
"Why, he says he is a miserable man,
burden to every one, and that life has
no joys for him, and that he is weary of
this world"
"And so would like to try the next@'
said Guy. perhaps he won't find it as
pleasant as the one he Is quitting. What
an unreasonable man he must be? He is
rich, talented, healthy, and has a very
pretty niece"-here, in a moment of alb.
straction, he allowed his arm to wander
around Miss Silver's waist-"aud what
more can he want? But some people
never are satisfied. 1t seems he is de-
ternfined to pry into futurity, and ii
seems pity to disappoint so laudable an
ambition; but duty-duty to myself
compels me to interfere. / dislike any
scandal or excitement. A Coroner's jury
would cause both, therefore we must
balk his little game.
"But howr' asked Lizzie, curiouslv.
IA prudent general" said Guy,
haughtily, "never con6des his plans te
his army, particularly when that army
is of the feminine gender-so excuse
me; NUNS tae word; but rest assured
my dearest Elizabeth, that unless you
worthy uncle shuffles off this mortal col
in surreptitious manner before II a. m
tomorrow, he will not do it afterward-
of course mean illegally. Farewell til
tomorrow"
Having concluded this address, Gu!
strobe off in a tragic manner, leavin!
Lizzie greatly surprised, but still quit
reassured, for in her opinion what Gu.
could not do was not worth doing.
The next morning Mr.. Maddox made
his appearance very saturnine ant
gloomy, and ate his breakfast with
mournful air that was terribly impres
sive. Having finished, he then too
leave of his niece in feeling manner.
"I am about to leave you" he sale
mournfully. 1 am about to end this lif
of misery. I hope that you may be haT
"Oh, don't co. said Lizzy, tearfully
clinging to hims and looking up into hi
face pleadingly. -
"It's useless" said Mr.. Maddox, firm
fy. Sony mind is fixed, and nothing 20
may say can persuade me to relinquis
my purpose. But you, my dear chile
shall not be unprovided for. Intend t
make my will in the few hours that al
left me, and you will not be forgotten
Good-by, my dear child-farewelll"-
and then, after embracing his niece fel
vently, Mr.. Maddox rushed from th
room frantically and securely locke
himself in his own room, and began
prepare himself for his last journey.
aNine o'clockp' he said to himsef
looking at his watch. "Three hours ye
Enough to DO all have to do. Fir
to make my will"
The last will and testament Of M
Cyrus Maddox, was evidently not lor
one, as it was finished in an hour.