The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-06-27

To say that life seemed empty and frivolous to
me now that so much sunshine had gone out Of
it, but family describes my condition do not
think that have ever been much of what the
world calls society man. Social life in fash
lonable city has always seemed very hollow and
sham-lke to me. But it is the best we can get,
have often said to some of the social censors
whom have met: Let US make the most OF
it." But now, all the cynical things that had
heard said came back to me with new force. /
was losing my relish for the society of my fell
low men.
why do you make yourself such a recluse
this winter. Mr.. Chesterp asked one gay young
woman who could not possibly have heard Of my
great and consuming sorrow.
Because the world of society has gone and
left me high and dry. like a stranded hulk, re-
piled, as gaily as / could. I'VE old fellows are
being crowded off our stools added. "Those
OF us who are not married and forced to submit
to the snubs and Sights of their own sons and
daughters are not so badly off; but we take the
sings and arrows all the same"
The giddy young thing laughed and said
Society will put on mourning when you HE you
to that monastery that you seem to have In your
minds eye, Mr.. Chester"
A monastery | was not bad idea. Must
one needs be Catholic, wonder, to be fit
candidate for monastic retreat
And yet 1t was supremacy foolish and selfish
for me TO even so much as entertaia the idea of a
fight from the world and its incessant demands.
They were incessant. That was just the trouble.
How l hated the cards and invitations that
came in upon me, day after day. What a
WEAKNESS to the flesh those mems dinners, in
which was won't to take delight. grew to be.
There was the same everlasting round of oys-
ters soup, bouches, fish, entrees roast sorbets,
game, salad, and so on, and so on, with the same
almost unvarying list of chablis, sherry, white
and red wine, champagne burgundy and liqueurs.
the same fellows. the same cigars and even the
same walters and the same servlle boEdman who
stood ready, with mercenary grin, to help one
on with his wraps and snatch pour-boire with
obseQuious haste. 1t was all hollow
When the familiar spirit of Asmodeus had
taken the roofs off the houses the atfrighted stu
dent of human nature wanted to see no more.
The joy of my life having been clouded, if not
permanently eclipsed, began to see how heart.
less and inSincere the world of society was.
wanted no more dinner-givers hunting around
for men and women to look we'll talk we'll at
their tables. Match-makers eagerly in quest of
eligible young men maids for their nets.
Fortune-hunters sharply looking out for oppor-
tuniLies to swap off an eligible figure and goodly
apparel for the hand of heiresS. Selfish
pleasure seekers on the lookout for other men to
help them kill time. This seemed to be hardly
worth living for or living with.
Manning-It was odd how grew to like that
man!--agreed with me in thinking that life
was very much of a sham, take it by and large.
At times. so great was my respondent disgust,
even thought of self-destruction. But put the
thought away with sef-contempt. No Chester
had ever done dishonorable deed. Suicide was
dishonorable It was bad enough to have this
cloud of mystery hanging over my poor boys
name and fate. / bushed to think that had
even distantly contemplated felo de se
My perplexity was deepened by Manning's re-
turn to Chicago, for / was left alone with an
unsympathetic world. Not that he was espe-
cially a consider; but nobody aconsoler; and
therefore missed his imperfect sympathy
ITo BE CONTINUED NEXT SUNDAY.