West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1890-01-09
A DENTAL TRAGEDY,

nihtloOre made no secret of the fact
that he meant business with Angelina
Goodluck. She had good figure. a
pretty face, not too much brains and a
cool million in hard cash. There was
every indication that Smallbore's suit
would be crowned with success. Never
before had his smile been So bewitchino
or his glances so thrillingly tender. Miss
Angelina basked in the sunshine of the
former and reyelled in the radiance of the
latter. In fact so obvious was il that
Smallbore was the favored suitor that all
other competitors had retired from the
held with the exception of Frank Bluff.
and 1t was the general opinion that he
didn't leave it simply because of his con
stitutional inability to perceive when he
was beaten.
The Goodluck parties. as everybody in
the social swim knows, are delightful and
Jolly affairs. They arc not sufficiently
particular, perhaps, concerning the line
age OF some persons they invite to suit
those who hold strong and I'M
compromising opinions on the sub
Jec OF "bluc blood but it has
always been conceded that il any one gets
bored at one OF the GoodIuck's enter
tainments the fault is his own. There is
no stiffness or restraint about their hos
pitanty. They possess the happy faculty
of making everybody feel at home. The
house, with the large conservatory at
tached 70 it, is delightfully."- arranged for
'spooning" or flirting, or even more
serious amatory business. The house is
deservedly very popular with mamas with
manageable daughters. One mama who
there successfully launched three daugb-
ters on the serene and placid sea of
matrlmony once remarked 1T is nv
candid opinion that if a girl can't get of
the hooks through Goodluck's parties
she may as well retire to nunnery at
once"
IL IS not strange, therefore that Small
bore should have decided after careful con.
sideration, TO formally "pop" 70 Miss
Angelina at the next Goodluck party
The fateful evening came round in due
course as all evenings do, fateful or Other.
wise. Smallbore was a happy man and
he believed that somewhere in the peigb .
borhood of midnight he would be still
happier.
The most careful and methodical OF
men IS aptto become absent-miuded when
ne thinks that he is going TO "pop" 10 a
young lady within the next few hours I
do not speak from experience but / have
been so informed by those whom / have
consulted on the subject. SmalIbore
himself told me afterward that nc dressed
like an automaton that evening, he was
thinking all the time Of "somethino
else"
II was a long drive to the Goodluck
mansion. but the way didn't seem lone
to Smal bore. The rain fell in a dismal
drzzle. The contrast between the cheer
less streets and the brilliantly LIGHTED
parlors full Of fragrance and laughter and
wcll bred men aud handsome women
was equal TO that between the ogre's den
and the fairies grotto in the pantomimc
10 It served to the poor people gathered
outside who occasionally caught frag-
mcntary glimpses OF the scene within
when door was opened, and they wished
wistiully that they, too, might be rich
But no sooner had Smallbore opened
ms mouth 20 greet the first friend that
nc met-young Jack Seaspray- hc
made o discovery which caused him 10
feel that he would gladly change places
with the poorest Of the poor chaps out
SIDE and remain 81 poor chap for the rest
Of his days. That hc told me himself.
lie had forgotten his false toethl
lie turned pale and clappod his hand
kerchiei 20 his mouth while harrowiuv
thoughts swirlod through his brain.
Great heavens, il nc should smile he was
q lost mani lie could not sin0. lie
was robbed Of his accomplishments and
transformed into au awkward body.
Whats the matter old fellow y'
asked scaspray, with genuine solicitudc.
Nothing, nothing muucrcd poor
Smallborc behind the folds. of his hand
kcrchicf, the absence of his teeth makino
him lisp. 'I gueth ith only thiI, buth
] think I'd betthcr go homc
Wise decision. Why didn't hc sticl,
To- itf Because fate hadI ordained that
nt that moment he shoul,bsec. through au
open door, Frank Bluff paying ardent
attention TO Miss Angelina
bmallbore's affection was, under ordi
nary circumstances OF Wcil regulated
aud discreet character. But even the
most temperate of woocrs is likely TO get
his mental balance disturbed when DE
sees a rival, making love 20 the woman
whom he has resolved 60 make his wife.
So Smallborc hastily decided thgt be
would stay Co keep an eye ON Bluff. but
would make himself as inconspicuous as
possible
"Come upstairs and take a brandy and
soda, y said scaspray, you win feel bet
ter thon
"Thankth, I thiukth ] thwill, replied
smallbore, who felt the need Of somethino
TO stimulate IBIS courage III was the
worst thing De could take under ihc cif-
cumstances What ho wanted was some.