The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-11-22
CURING A CRANK.

M Maddox, gl0omlly, ana IL Is pesI tii"'
k6 the world should be rid Of my presence
No one cares for me-"
"Oh. don't say that, uncle" said Lizzie
Silver, beseechingly; "you know l love
Won. You are the only friend have in the
world, and if you were to die what would
become of me-?
a suppose young Guy Cheevers would
console you for my loss" said Mr.. Maddox.
grinlly. "At any rate, don't care. l will
end nv troubles and sorrow tomorrow at II
o'clock"
=. And with these fearful words he strobe
oct of tile room, leaving Lizzie sobbing,
with her curly black head resting on din
neT-plate.
whats the matter now, Bess? Has the
milliuer disappointed you in your love of a
bOpnet?" asked a warm. hearty voice, which
was The property of young Guy Cheevers, -
as Mr.. Maddox called hinl-as that gentle
man strobe into the room.
Ion, Guyv' sobbed Lizzie. Uncle Cyrus
is going 10 die tomorrow at u o'clock"
sHow DO you know" asked Guy.
HE said So"
But how does he know?"
Hes going to kill himself"
$50 as to make himself a true prophet,
eh.?" asked Guy, laughing.
"Oh. Guy. don't joke" cried Lizzie,
tearfully. He will know he will!'
Il doubt it"' said Guy, skeptically.
but he tried to commit suicide several
times" persisted Lizzie, fearfully. Once
he Tried to smother himself with burning
charcoal, but he forgot TO stop up the key
hole, and i smelt the smoke and got some
neighbors to break open the door. and saved
him. Then he tried to hang himself, but
the cord broke, and he fred pistol at HIM
self, but lie forgot to put any ball in it, o
that failed and then"
"GraciouSw cried Guy, as Lizzie stopped
for want of breath; what a determin ed
man he must bel Such perseverance de-
serves TO be rewarded. Have you any idea
what plan he will try now"
Pm sure / don't know" said Lizzie,
mournfully. Something dreadful, l sup
pose"
but what does lie want to make away
with himself for?" asked Guy, wonder
ingly.
'"Why. he says he is miserable mana
burden TO every one, and that life has no
JOYS for him, and that he is weary OF this
world"
And so would like to try the next" said
GUY. Perhaps he wont find il so pleasant
as the one he is quitting. What an unreas-
enable man he must be! He is rich, talented,
uedIluN, anu mas Il very pretty UltCc -Dtlt,
in moment Of abstraction, he allowed his
arm to wander around Miss Silver's waist
land what more can he want? But some
people never are satisfied. 1t seems he is
determined TO pry into futurity, and il seems
q pity to disappoint so laudable IN ambition
but duty-duty to myself compels me to iu-
terfere. l dislike any scandal or excitement.
A Coroner'S jury would cause both; there
fore, we must balk his little game"
But how?" asked Lizzie, curiously.
"a prudent General" said Guy, haugh-
tily, never cOnfdes his plans to his army,
particu arly when the army is of the femi-
nine gender; so excuse me; NUNS the
word. But rest assured. my dearest Eliza
beth, that unless your worthy uncle shGffles
OFF this mortal coil i'll surreptitols manner
before u o'clock noon tomorrow he will
not do it alterward-of course l mean
illegally. Farewell till tomorrow"
Having concluded this address Guy strobe
eff in tragic menner, leaving Lizzie greatly
surprised, but still quite treasured, for in
neI opinion what Guy couldn't do wasn't
worth doing.
:, The next morning Mr.. Maddox made his
appearance very satnrnine and gloomy, and
ate his breakfast with mnurnful air that
was terribly impressive. Having finished,
he then took leave OF his niece in a feeling
manner.
fully. lam about TO end this life of mis-
cry. l hope that you may be happy"
:. ''Oh, cont go!' said Lizzie, tearfnlly
.clinging to him, and looking into his face
pleadin.ly.
Its useless" said Mr. Maddox, firmly.
MY mind is fixed, and nothing you can do
can persuade me to Telinquish my purpose.
But you, my dear child, shall not be unpro-
yided for. l intend TO make my will in the
few hours that are left me and you will not
= be forgotten. Good-by, my dear child, fare
we'll l"-and then, after embracing his niece
fervently, Mr.. Maddox rushed from the
room frantically and securely locked himself
: into his own room and began to prepare
himself for his last journey.
mine oclock!'' he said to himself, look
ing at his watch. "1hree hours yet! Enough
to d. all have to do! First to make my
WILL
: The last Will and testament of Mr.. Cyrus
Maddox was evidently not long one, as II
was finished in less than an hour.
eleven o'clock" said MI. Maddox. land
| have finished. How slow the time passes,
j.. to. be surel Now, what shall / do until u
o'clock, for l am determined not to die until
noon
P: a knock at the door.
go away!" cried Mr.. Maddox, angrily.
.'Yeu can't come in
81 am very sorry to disagree with you." said
avOice outside the door. "but can come in.
i have duplicate key here, and if you don't
open the door | WILL
Mr.. Maddox rose and unlocked the door
saYagely, and Mr.. Guy Cheevers Stalked into
the room, carrying an oblong box under his
arm.
; lie placed the box on the table and then
took seat opposite Mr.. Maddox and stared
, blankly at him.
What do you want?" asked Mr.. Mad
. dox, firIcely. Don't you see l am en-
gAged?'
about TODD? Don't think that am going to
interfere-nnt at ALL But before you make
your quietuS wish to ask you few ques-
tons. Have you provided for your niece's
i future welfare?"
Whats that to you?"
Considerable. 1 am about to marry
Miss Silver; SO her interests are naturally
mine
:; "Then she is provided for-amply"
Thank you for your information. Very
glad TO hear it. And now excuse the appar-
eent mpertinence of the question, but where
=. is your WHIP"
on it.
OPP rf''' "" s''' ~ ''' 70 '"A0 'si'
.Give it to you! Why, pray?"
1T might become misplaced" explained
:: ::.l'n keep it myself" said Mr. Maddox,
roughly.
80 Then just leave a memorandum on the
"a PIE, said Guy, earnestly, to tell where
1t Is. 1t will save trouble, perhaps"
- Get out!" cried Mr. Maddox, angrily
<"lAh. ,IseeW said Mr.. Cheevers, coolly;
sin. hurry TO begin. Well, l won't detan
you; but have little suggestion to offer"
:. ''Well?" said Mr.. Maddox. impatiently.
:. 1T is this" said Guy. Miss Silver in
forms me that you have made several pre-
vious efforts to cut short your trouble and
your breath. and always unsuccessfully.
Now 1t seems to me you don't go the right
way about it. This box" and here he
opened the box before alluded to-"contains
several little plans that think might please
you. Here's one" and he showed little
steel instrument.
WHATS that?" asked Mr.. Maddox, curl
onsly.
= This" said Guy, lis an article that you
can place round your neck like a collar,
then, by striking your hand on the left side
Of your neck. sharp spike is driven right
into yonr iugular vein3
But thai would kill mel" said Mr.. Mad
dox, staring
well, amt that what you want?" de-
manded Guy, sternly. Now, here's an
other" he went on. Here's wheel, you
observe; you pass this band around your
neck, pass it around the wheel and give it
two or three turns-then let co. The recoil