The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1883-01-20
SEEKING SYMPATHY.
BY {. J.. LEWIS.

Fainer WAS born, his mother thought
that his father neglected her. She
therefore yearned for sympathy, and
was very mournful. 1t must have AZ
fected the young Nick's nature; for in
childhood he was of an unnaturally sad
turn of mind-fond Of sick chambers,
and cvincing n strange sort OF satisfac-
ton at scenes of death, His taste in
this respect excited much attention, and
some thought the child was little
daft" At the death-bed of any rela-
hon or friend of the family, Nicholas
always seemed to be more deeply re-
Elective than any older person present;
and after gazing at corpse, ne would
30 and sit alone, as If the sadness Of the
spectacle had made great, yet not
wholly disagreeable, impression upon
his singular mind.
No sight to his youthful eye WAC so
attractive in the street as q funeral pro-
cession; and often he would follow the
long trains of death, with rs much in
terest ~ youth generally show in mill
tary or tiremen's professions. The SOL
emn parade, the weeping mourners, the
sable hearse-all had an unaccountable
charm for the boy: 80 that IL he had
been q sections son. and born in q
graveyard, he couldn't have felt more
1T home than he was in these struggling
attendances upon strangers To their last
mortal resting place.
Whenever he was out of the way, his
parents would say. as matter OF
~ l.,o ..,l,, m
body's funeral. He'll be back present
y."
This partiaity for the gloomy associ-
atoms Of death often led him to pass
his play-hours in visiting graveyards,
20 read the inscriptions on the tombs,
and lie down and sometimes 90 to sleep
among them; and no museum had such
attractions for him M the inside Of y
coffin warehouse.
The sad-minded child was also noted
for his desire for sympathy from others,
whenever he met with an accident; and
he sometimes said to his parents, that
he would be very glad to die, il he could
only look on! of his coffin aud see folks
weeping for his loss, and paying respect
10 his memory!
1t WAS n great trouble to his moth
81 know that's oil owing"
Il know II, too" interrupted her hus-
band angrily. IF you hadn't been so
craving of my society when"
But it's no use TO cry now" contin-
ued the mother desperately. He'll be
40 odd person all the days Of his life, l
feel certain. think he feels happiest
when he is miserable II he can only at
tract attention and sympathy. Sympa-
thy is what he wants. think he would
cut off his hand for it. That's why he
has such reverence for the sick and
dead, they get so much Of wha, he is
yearning for
Most unaccountable child''
And it's all owing to you. MIR.
Fainer."
NO 'taint lt's all owing to your
In due time, Mr.. and Mrs. Fainer
died, and were shoveled out Of the way
Nicholas grew and he grew till he got
to be twenty years old. and then he fell
bead over heels in love with Arethuss
Partridge.
II would die for YOU" said the ar
dent Nicholas, regarding her with pale
face and languishing eyes.
"Ha! hal" laughed the coquettist
Arethusa. II must see that first"
II adore your exclaimed he, ''ant
am miserable without you"
Miss Partridge had heard the SANE
thing from score of others o
whom had died yet. But Nicholas wa
Of different stamp.
He pondered upon her words
thought her unfceling; but loved he
the more on account OF the difficulty il
getting her. He grew very thin ant
miserable, and finally made n secre
and desperate resolve.
One evening. he repaired TO An apoth
ecary's.aDd purchased an ounce of laud
anum. and then paid visit to his obdu
rate inamorata.
His Unusual calmness attracted he
curious notice.
Are you sick. Nickp"
mo. am beyond the power Of sici
ness now. II win soon be all over wit
me. Lhave done it at last"
Done what"
"And you have done itr'
.Dope whatP
Murdered me! am dead ma
have taken poison. Yoathougbt tn