The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1889-04-26
THE POETIC FEVER.
II Ats.cks a Young wife Who Forth with
Prepares a surprise for Hubby.

Il had not intended 60 tell YOU.
Billiger," said the Young wife OF Mr..
Mcswat but can't keep il u secret
any longer
"ls il possible Lobelia," exclaimed
Billiger, incredulously, "that you have
been able 90 keep IA secret at ALP"
"lt is. And you would never guess
il, either"
Been making me a dresslng-gown
or an embroidered night-capw
"No.n
"lou haven't been running up a bill
at Spotcash & Co. .'sp' he inquired,
with a suspicious look and cold feel
ing in the region of his spine.
Guess again"
"Been taking lessons at cooking
school?' he asked, paling visibly
"No. Guess again"
A clammy perspiration broke out all
over him and he leaned against tho
mantel for support rs he gasped:
"Lobelia, is Aunt Jubilee coming To
spend the summer with us?'
The young wife laughed gleefully.
mo" she answered. you'll have
TO try again, Billigor."
"Tell me what IL is" he said. with
returning self-command. IL feel as II
l could stand any disclosure now
I'll think you're real mean, Billiger,
but IL tell you. A littlepoe OF mine
is going 20 be published In tho next
Century Magazine.
"Wheww
(This is the time-honored way In
which long, low whistle OF astonish-
ment has always been represented in
print by the most successful wrcstlers
with the language, from the Old Mas
ters down 20 II. Rider liaggard. Tho
reader, therefore. wilI kindly under
stand that Mr.. Billiger McSwat gavo
utteranco to IA long, low whistle.)
'1n the days Of our courtship, Lo-
bella" he continued, staring hard at
the ceiling. you never told me you
wrote poetry. didn't know you were
addicted 20 IL, Or
"Or what? she demanded, with some
asperity,
Nothing nothingw he exclaimed.
hastily. And so you are 20 have IA
contribution in the next Century, How
much is the editor to pay you for IL,
LobeliaP'
81 don't know. haven't heard from
him yet"
Then how do you know he is going
TO print it?'
"lIow do know? Because he hasn't
returned H. ! sent IL 20 him nearly two
weeks ago"
80. You did! You inclosed stamps
for return postage, OF courseP
"Why, no, Billiger. ! never thought
OF that. l. 1t customary
Emo That is, not always" re-
piled the young husband, mastering
his emotion by desperate effort. "It
probably wasn't necessary in the case
Of your poem, Lobelia. And you have
saved at least two cents!'
Mrs. McSwat was not exactly surc
whether hc was In earnest or not. Sho
looked at him with some suspicion, but
his countenance wore that look OF un-
baINllll hlh llAABRNh't AheAh
may sometimes be seen on the face OF n
boy at school just after he had rolled "a
double handful OF bird-shOt over tho
floor.
"Lobelia," he said after pause,
"you haven't spoken OF this-this poem
Of yours that is-er-ah--gOingt 90 be
printed next month 10 any body else
besides me, have you?'
.'No."
Then don't do 10, LObelia," he said.
III you can manage 10 hold In till the
poem is printed, which"-and Billiger
held his handkerchief 20 bis face aud
coughed convulsiyoly in IL for n few
moments (which will be only two
weeks longer, you know it will be all
the greater surprise 90 every body.
And when that poem IS printed In the
magazine, my dear, III make you a
present Of pair Of diamond car rings"
The trusting young wife pillowed her
head on his bosom IN an ecstasy Of
gratitude, and a. Billiger McSwat
smoothed her golden hair and mur-
INJURED IN her ear soft assurances OF his
willingness 20 bankrupt himself II nee
essary. in order % give her costly
presents rs token Of his pride and
admiration as soon as the poem APP
pcared-he could feel himself growing
meaner, and smaller and more dcspic-
able every moment
. young wives! b. warned In time.
When temptations 20 write poetry for
the magazines assail your souls do not
yield. Resist them. IL is "A terrible
thing 20 do any thing that causes young
husbands 20 feel themselves growing
smaller than they are alroady.-Ex-
tract from "Frightiul Warnings Of His
tory" from the French oi Dennis
Mulcahy, in Chicago Tribune.
"A doctor told woman who was
suffering from sore throat that she
should prepare a drink composed Of