Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1889-06-08
ACTING ON THE IMPULSE
BY JOHN STEPHEN.

Harry Clinton, of New York, prided
himself on his Knickerbocker ancestry
and on the elegance of his manners.
Owing to family reverses he was not a
merchant prince, but the commercial
traveller for drug firm. 1t is noticeable
fact that drug clerks and those connected
with the trade are usually nice young men,
very precise, and particularly careful as to
dress.
No doubt the necessity of handling
dainty small packages, making up pre-
scriptions with care, and humoring the
whims of hypochondriac customers, had
corresponding influence on the mind and
manners, tending to make one fpical and
fastidious.
Harry was something of an exquis tie
and considerable of ladies' man, though
not after the pattern of Henry WILL, who
made three of his six ives shorter by
head.
He was travelling for the luxurious firm
of Cocoaine & Co., and was always we'll
supplied with funds, and he took for his
motto in the affairs of the heart that where
one is far from the form that he loves he
has but to make love to the form that was
near. He would have Indignantly repealed
the insinuation that he was inconstant.
"On the contrary" he would exclaim,
e laying his hand on his heart, its the same
old love-only the objects change"
He had put up at quiet family hotel
on Michigan avenue, to which he was
recommended by friend. After good
sleep he emerged from his room and fol-
lowed passage that seemed to be divided
by q door now open.
He was in ocular mood, and as he
hurried forward hummed merry tune.
The sound of his voice brought rosy
looking young girl from one of the rooms,
who, with feather buster in her hand
and silk handkerchief around her head,
watched the approaching figure with an
air made up of timidity and merriment.
Clinton stopped suddenly before her and
inwardly exclaimed:
by Jove! though the light is dim, this
is the daintiest piece of chambermaid
fsmininity have yet encountered. want
to make her acquaintance. Shall l COM
mence in a languid, sentimental way, or
charge the works with fusillade of fun
and carry the citadel with joker"
Acting on the latter impulse, he babe
her CHEEKY good-morning. and wanted to
know how such pretty girl found her
way into the hotel.
At the word hotel she smiled roguishly.
Thus encouraged, he proceeded to pour
compliments, and in q mock sentimental
voice trolled out that old-time melody:
Believe me if all those endearing young charms
Which, gaze on so fondly to-day
Were to cl anse by tomorrow, and feet In my
arms
Like fairy gifts fading away,
Thou wouldst still be adored, this moment
thou art,
Let thy loneliness fade as it will,
And around the dear ruin each wish Of my heart
Would entwine itself verdantly still.
Its really quite refreshing to meet one
of such a sentimental temper in this prac-
teal West" she remarked, smilingly,
with an air of repose and dignifed reserve
which rather astonished him.
ooh, I'm not from the West. I'm from
New York, where the chief end of man is
to make himself agreeable to the ladies'.
should very much like to have the pleas
ure of your acquaintance, and will feel
much panied if you refuse"
This latter remark was made in a very
deferential tone, as there was something
in the appearance of the interesting girl
which forbade all approach to familiarity.
Those lines" she continued, paying no
heed to his request, are some OF the
prettiest Moore ever wrote. but l am
afraid the sentiment in this worldly city
of Chicago would not pass current. Here
marriage is regarded failure, and when
loneliness fades, as it WILL the faded
rose is thrown away for q fresher flower. "
We'll, my little philosopher in petit
coats, you seem to have decided views of
your ownl" he exclaimed, regarding her
with increased admiration.
Yes, most Chicago girls have, she re-
sponded, with merry twinkle. At this
interesting yjuncture steps were heard sp-
preaching and a voice called: Ida"
He hurried down stairs and found him
self in what was apparently the side en-
trance to the hotel, and encountering an
elderly lady in the passage, told her to
give instructions to "Lida" to have his
room done up Immediately, as he had
some writing to do.
The woman stared, opened her mouth,
but before she could make reply he was
out of the door and on the street.
He hurried down town, called on Mr..
James Spencer, an old friend of his father,
who received him very cordially and in
vited him to dine and spend the evening
1t his residence.
The loneliness of the chambermaid,
whom he had -gazed on SO fondly,' had
entirely faded from his memory; and meet
ing some coneenial drummers, spent the
day in seeing the sights and in inspecting
the beauty and loneliness that disports
itself after midday on State street.
As the hour Tor keeping MS engagement
approached he returned to his hotel, made
an elaborate toilet, and finding from the
clerk hat Mr.. Spencer's residence was in
the immediate vicinity, was there punctu-
ally at the time appointed.
The residence was comfortable, with
certain air of stateliness. Mrs. Spencer
was q kindly, courteous old lady, and theil
daughter q most charming young lady
whom Clinton fell Immediately in low
with. In fact, her presence had an awe.
inspiring effect, and for once in his lift
Of gallantry he felt modest and embar.
fassed.
Miss Spineer was most gracious and
underworld to set him 1t his ease, bu
Cupid Ae<ts were Iankline and he coult