The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1891-09-05


1--WE will not think of that"
81 sha- shall"
A few days later John, with a big
valise in his hand stood at the railway
station waiting for the train that was
to carry him to Philadelphia, where
the institute for the treatment of stam-
merers was. Mary was present to bid
him good-by.
"Now you'll give me ti-time to find
out wha-wheth-er II can be co-cu
cured will you not?" SAID John,
anXiouSly, ''and not gi-give Bill Ia
Taylor en- coo cour -age-mcnt
du-during my ab-ab-sence.
''Do not worry about Mr.. 7 aylor,'
said Mary, laughing. "He can be no
more than friend to me, and l shall
not fall in love with him while you are
gone"
'I-I am glad to he-hear you say it.
I'll do my be-best to get coo--cured,
minded l will" added the poor fell
low, pathetically.
81 know you will, " said Mary, deeply
touched 81 feel certain that you will
return cured"
"Tha-thanl you"
The train rolled in front of the sta
tion, and in moment the young man
was gone.
Mary's words concerning his rival for
her affections had given John much
comfort, for he believed that she was
truthful girl, and during his journey
he maintained cheerful condition of
mind.
After his throat had been thoroughly
examined at the institute, he learned to
his great delight that he could probably
be cured, the chief drawback being
that he must undergo long and tedious
treatment. The expense, he was told,
would be from eight hundred to one
thousand dollars. 1t was heavy for a
young man in his circumstances, but he
did not begrudge it. Fortunately he
had been careful and saving, and he
had a deposit of two thousand dollars
in the savings bank at home. He had
sufficient means for his present pur-
pose. although it would be necessary
to defer his marriage for several years.
Buoyed up by strong hope, he applied
himself enthusiastically to the treat.
ment. practised the prescribed vocal
exercises, etc, patiently for hours, and
was rewarded by steady improvement.
Everything was auspicious until he re-
ceived letter from an acquaintance,
who wrote that Bill Taylor was escort
ing Miss Beverly here and there, and
was evidently finding much favor in
her eyes. Filled with imprudent jeal-
ousy, John angered his sweetheart
with letter in which he expressed his
fear that she had not been faithful to
her promise. Her reply was spirited,
and contained the statement that she
did not want lover who could not
trust her out of his sight. John was
then sorry that he had so foolishly
yielded to the promptings Of his jeal-
ousy, and became possessed with the
dreadful idea that although she might
not have encouraged Bill Taylor, she
would now probably transfer her affec-
tions to that detested individual While
the stammerer was in this wretched
condition of mind, he received a second
and almost crushing blow He learned
that the savings bank to which his lit
tie fortune had been intrusted had
failed on account of reckless and un-
scrupulous management. Of the two
thousand dollars he had only two hun
dred dollars left, and he had not yet
been half cured of stammering.
The poor fellow was, of course, filed
with anguish. For time it seemed
useless to attempt to overcome the OBJ
stacles that had been so unexpectedly
placed in his way. But soon his cour-
age began to return. Perhaps by most
persevering and desperate efforts he
| could hasten his treatment, and go
from the institute cured before his
money was exhausted. The principal
of the institute was a very kind man,
and to him Anderson unfolded his
troubles. The principal was full OF
sympathy, and promised to help his
patient as much as possible, at the
same time warning him that it was
very doubtful whether a quick cure
could be effected. John felt encour.
aged, however, and applied himself tc
his formidable task with most praise
worthy energy. But he did not i'm
prove. Indeed, so great were his anX'
iety and nervousness that it was inev
table that he should begin to grow
worse. Perception of the fact that hi:
! stammering was increasing made
him still more nervous, and more
wsetched being than he became is moi
often seen. His frantic efforts to i'm
prove, resulting only in miserable
failure, were at once very ridiculous
and pit.anle. Meanwhile his pride haC
prevented him from sending Mary {
written apology for his jealous letter
and OF coure she no longer wrote tC
him. He Fit confident that by this
time she must have become engaged Il
Bill Taylor, AMI if he returned home
she would treat him with scorn. He
lost his appetite, he grew thin in the
face, his manner became distraught
and he feared that lIe might go crazy.
The principal saw what his condition
was, and in very considerate man
} ner told him not to waste his money il
J trying to effect cure that was impos
sible under the discouraging circum
/ stances The principal advised him tC
go home at once, and expressed inucl
, confidence that Miss Beverly loved hin
/ enough TO marry him in spite of hi
stammering. John thanked his sriend
but would not allow himself 10 b,
cOmforted. Several hours later, a
r nine o'clock in the evening, John wan
t dered to the bank of a river He chos,
: a lonely spot beneath tree and sa
I down He looked at the swiftly flow
ing and dark waters, and almost per
, suaded himself that it would be best Il
l | ,.l,. %, 1