Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1890-12-31

how changed, and for the worsel She wen
up to him and said: "William, where il
that sealskin sacque you have been promis
ing me for a New Years gift for the las
ten years?"
| He didn't know where it was. Jennie
turned and went out with look of suct
intense anguish on her features that half
way felt sorry for her-husbsnd, when
thong what was in store for him when be
went home where she could talk to him
more freely.
When Bills boon companions heard how
he had deceived his wife they became in
dignant, and threats of lynching were free
| " indulged in. One of them seized mis-
sile, and before I could stay his arm he
| hurled it with all his force at the inattentive
husband. 1t struck him with full force on
the head, and the next moment his head
and shirt were covered with crimson gore.
He had been struck by an over ripe tomato.
No,e-Authors of novelettes are warned
that a patent for this startling climax has
been applied for.
The storm of indignation assumed such
dimensions that Bill Boozle rose to his feet
and staggered out of the grocery, one of the
reveilers giving him parting kick that
raised him off the ground. followed him.
He meandered on both sides of the road in
a zigzag fashion peculiar to men who take
too many whisky straights. he was going
to the railroad station. kept on purauing
him. He evidently contemplated throwing
himself under some passing train. Then
be changed his mind and started In the di
reetion of the station. In a moment had
OWNED his intention. He had given up the
idea OF throwing himself under the locono
tive as too uncertain. He was going to
adopt mode OF death which, while more
painful, would be absolutely sure. He was
going to eat kiln dried railroad lunch
counter sand wich.
Just as be was reaching out for tho fatal
sandwich grasped his suicidal arm and
led him away where gave him my card
and told him that had come to save him
and jennie from fate worse than death.
Bill was surprised, but he consented to
abstain from sandwiches for the present. l
asked him how his wife was coming on.
''Great Heavens!'' he exclaimed, s'she
is'starving to death for sealskin sacque.
It's all my fault, for she is an angel of good
ness. Never harsh word from her lips.
Let me go and eat the fatal sandwich"
"Bill," said l. ''they are not healthy
when INDUCED in to excess. I'm your
friend, and I've got the money to help you
0h0 OonAl0s 440A0 10 POVV AOE q co0ionlu
sacque for Jennie. Here is 81, 900 more to
get some wet groceries, etc., to celebrate
this New Years Eve. Tell Jennie you
rung in cold deck on your boon compan
ions. Wipe that tomato off the back of
your neck. All I ask of you is that you
swear off on whisky and cards."
There was happy gathering in the Bill
Boozle mansion that New Years eve.
Bills swear-off held good. Not drop
of whisky passes his lips. He takes bottled
beer and gin fzzes instead, and instead of
cards give him tips on tho Wall street
market. Jennie is as happy as the Gay is
long, parading the streets in that sealskin
sacqne.
And am a welcome guest at their house.
My appearance is signal for a burst Of
delight from the children. We are all hap
py, 90 will riug down the curtain before
something happens to mar the tableau.
1.-THE END.
Note.-I desire to call the attention Of
the reader who has waded through the fore
going to tho fact that have kept my prom
ise of writing story out of the usual line.
Variety is the spice Of life
ALEX E. SWEET.
Author of "Jennie's Lovers" etc..