Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1889-06-14
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
merchant prince, but the commercial
traveller for a 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 humorlng the
Whims of hypochOndriac customers, had
a corresponding influence on the mind and
manners, tending to make one fnical and
fastidious.
Harry was something of an exquisite
and considerable of a ladies' man, though
not after he pattern of Henry VIII, who
made three of his six wives shorter by
a head.
He was travelling for the luxurious firm
of CocOaine d Co., and was always well
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 ne
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 He would have Indignantly repealed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,
laying his hand on his heart, Its the same
old lOve-only the objects change.
He had put up at q quiet family hotel
on Michigan avenue, to which he was
recommended by q friend. After a good
sleep he emerged from his room and fol-
lowed a passage that seemed to be divided
by a door now open.
He was in a iocular mood, and as he
hurried forward hummed merry tune.
The sound of his voice brought a rosy
looking Young girl from one of the rooms
who, with a feather buster in her hand
and a 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
femininity have yet encountered. I want
to make her acquaintance. Shall COM
mence in a languid, sentimental way, or
charge the works with a fusillade Of fun
and carry the citadel with a 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 a mock sentimental
voice trolled out that Old-tlme melody:
Believe me if all those endearing young charms
Which gaze on so fOndly to-day
Were to CT ange by tomorrow, and fleet in my
Like fairy gifts fading away,
Thou wouldst stin be adored, as this moment
thou art,
Let thy loneliness fade as it will,
And around the dear ruin each wish of my heart
Would entwine itself Yerdantly still.
Its really quite refreshing to meet one
of such a sentimental temper in this prac-
tical 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
prettlest Moore ever wrote, but / am
afraid the sentiment in this worldly city
of Chicago would not pass current. Here
marriage IS regarded a failure, and when
loneliness fades, as 1t Will the faded
rose is thrown away for fresher flower. F"
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 juncture steps were heard ap-
preaching and a voice called: "Lida.
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 Ida" 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
at his residence.
The loneliness of the chambermaid
whom he had agazed on so fOndly," had
entirely faded from his memory; and meet
ing some congenial drummers, spent the
day in seeing the sights and in inspecting
the beauty and loVeliness that disports
itself after midday on State street.
As the hour for keeping his engagement
approached he returned to his hotel, madi
an elaborate toilet, and finding from TIT
clerk hat Mr.. Spencer's residence was IL
the immediate vicinity, was there punctu
ally at the time appointed.
The residence was comfortable, with
certain air Of stateliness. Mrs. Spence
was a kindly, courteous old lady, and theI
daughter a 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 lif
OF eallantry he felt modest and embar
Eassed.
Miss SpaneeT was most gracious an
endeavored TO set him at his ease, bu
lgupfa,a darts were ranking and he coull