The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1886-09-11
AN AROHER'S ARTIFICE.

He Writes Leaf of His Life's History and
Loses the Leaf.
happened to in Chicago at the time
of the burning of the Hotel Langham on
Wabash avenue some years ago. l saw
the frightened guests climb down the fire
escapes. l saw the walls cave in and two
brave tiremen buried beneath the mass
OF brick and mortar. The next day was
around looking at the ruins and watching
the men working to remove the debris
from the bodies of those who had lost
their lives in the fire. While thus en-
gagged CHANGED to stub my toe on a
piece of mortar, and looking down dis
covered several pages of closely written
paper. The paper contained the picture
of the Hotel Langham, and was in fact
the ordinary hotel letter paper. The
writing was evidently that of guest of
the ill-fatea hotel. 1t was story, or a
leaf from his life's history, and was as
follows
1t was in the summer, Immediately fol
lowing my graduation from college, that
found myself at my home in one of the
very oldest and deadest little cities on the
eastern bank of the Mississippi river.
fully expected, on my arrival, to be in
vited to take editorial charge of one of
the two daily papers published there. No
such invitation came, however, and
found some difficulty il securing posi-
ton as city editor, which meant reporter
and everything else. l was not carried
away with my new duties, as, the city
being under 30, 600, the news was rare
and not of very sensational or engross-
ing character. The time had not come
when society began 70 lose it's charms,
and as result was the gayest of the
gay. No party got away without, me,
aid, without sickness prevented, l never
stayed away from any social gathering to
which was invited.
1t CHANGED that during that summer
the young women of that place formed
an archery club and was asked to be-
come a member. We met at different
places once a week and went through the
form of shooting at target. The chief
amusement, however, consisted in the
german, which was danced after the lawn
supper. No member of the club ever
made any remarkable record. Very few
targets were spoiled. We called the
association the Amless Archery Club.
Among the visitors spending the sum-
mer there with relatives was very pretty
Creole from New Orleans, a Miss Jenone
Poselwaite. She was very bright, dressed
beautifully, sang, played on the guitar,
and rumor had it that her parents were
very wealthy. | was favorably impressed
with her the first time met her, and as
| grew to know her better l began to
feel that she was my affinity. attempted
to be her most devoted admirer, but she
declined to commit herself in the least.
While l knew, as any man who has been
in the least observing can know, that my
marked attentions were not displeasing
to her, still | had no reason to believe
that she regarded them more than the
outward, visible signs of an inward tran
sient Irritation. We danced together,
| sang and attended lawn parties, but for
the life of me | could not tell whether
| she reciprocated my affection or not.
was too proud to declare myself until, in
| manner, assured that | would not be
rejected. No man of pride cares to risk
being told by the girl that she will always
regard him as friend, but never as a
lover. He is not looking after friend.
She was not tiirt and did not show
any partiality for any other young man
in town. And also learned by diploma
tic questioning of her relatives that she
was not engaged, and, so far as they
knew was heart whole and fancy free.
TIE summer was pretty we'll advanced
and the young visitor was talking of
going back to New Orleans. My suit
was not progressing as happily as could
wish, and it became evident that she
would return home without giving me
the necessary assurances to warrant me
in proposing. succeeded, however, in
delaying her departure until late in SEP
TENDER on the grounds that it would be
dangerous to her health to think of re-
turning to the South before that time.
The last week of September came, and
the day of her departure was near at
hand. Her cousin had arranged to give
the farewell meeting at the Archery
Club. 1t came off the night before Miss
Poselwaite left. | was there. While
standing near the arrow rack, for We
we're still going through the form OF
shooting at the target, handed the pretty
guest an arrow, it being her turn to shoot.
Her thin arrow sped along through the
air and failed to hit the target.
made fun of her craftsmanship and
intimated that would not be afraid tC
stand up and let her shoot at me.
"You are afraid to hold my fan and
let me shoot at it" she said.
took the dare and, standing a respect
able distance away. held out at arms
length her pretty little fan. She RAISED
the bow, adjusted the arrow and shot.
heard whiz, and the next thing ! knew
| was unable to see any thlng.
My God, I'm shot," | exclaimed as
raised nv hands to nv right eye In al
Instant Miss Poselwaite was at my side
leading me to the house. In that brie
walk made the discovery that the arro7
had not gone into my eye, but had strucl