The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1891-10-16
HOW HE WAS CURED.

II am n miserable man. said Mr.. Cy-
rus Maddox gloomily. land it is best that
the world should be rid of my presence.
No one cares for me-"
NOh, don't say that, uncle, said Lizzie
Silver beseechingly. you know l love
you. You are the only friend l have in
the world, and if you were to die what
would become Of me?"
- suppose young Guy Cheevers would
console you for my loss, said Mr. Mad.
dox grimly. AT any rate, don't care.
will end my troubles and sorrow to-
morrow at 12 IN.
With these fearful words he strobe out
of the room, leaving Lizzie sobbing with
her curly black head resting on dinner
plate.
Whats the matter now, Bess? Has
the milliner disar pointed you in your
love of bonnet:" asked warm, hearty
voice, which was the property of young
Guy Cheevers," as Mr.. Maddox called
him, as that gentleman strobe into the
ROOM"
"Oh, Guy!" sobbed Lizzie. Uncle
Cyrus is going to die tomorrow at 12
o'clock.
How do you know"
"He said So"
"But how does he know?-
"He's going to k IL himself"
so as to make himself true prophet,
eh. 2" asked Guy, laughing.
"Oh, Guy. don't joke!" cried Lizzie
tearfully. He will know he will.-
II doubt it," said Guy skeptically.
"But he tried to commit suicide severa,
times, she persisted fearfully. "Once
he tried to smother himself with burn.
ing charcoal, but he forgot to stop up the
keyhole, and smelt the smoke and rot
some neighbors to break open the door.
and saved him. Then he tried to hang
himself, but the cord broke, and he fired
pistol at himself. but forgot to put any
ball in it, so that failed; and them"
Gracious cried Guy, as Lizzie
stopped for want of breath; "what a de.
termined man he must be-. Such perse.
verance deserves to be rewarded. Have
: GU any idea what plan he will try
now
SIN GU, ~e I don't know" said Lizzie.
.."But what 'oes he want to make away
with himself for %" asked Guy wonder
pgly. ,,,
why, he says he is mis- '"D,o ,''ah-
burden to every one, and that Ia. mas II"
joys for him, and that he is weary o. 'iiis
world"
And so would like to try the next:-
said Guy. Perhaps he won't find it so
pleasant as the one he is quitting. Wha.
an unreasonable man he must be! He is
rich, talented, healthy, and has very
pretty neice"-here in moment OF ab.
e..t.raction he allowed his arm to wander
around Miss Silvers waist-"and what
more can he want? But some people
never are satisfied. 1t seems he is deter
mined to pry into futurity, and it seems
a pity to disappoint so laudable an am-
bition; but duty-duty to myself com.
pels me to interfere. dislike any scan.
dal or excitement. a coroner's jury
would cause both: therefore, we must
balk his little game"
But how" asked Lizzie curiously.
"A prudent general" said Guy haugh.
tily, "never confides his plans to his army,
particularly when the army is Of femi-
nine gender; so excuse me, NUNS tho
word. But rest assured, my dearest
Elizabeth. that unless your worthy uncle
shuffles off this mortal coil in surrep.
titious manner before IL o'clock to-mor-
row he will not doit afterward-of course
l mean illegally. Farewell till to-mor.
row."
Having concluded this address Guy
strobe off in a tragic manner, leaving
Lizzie greatly surprized, but still quito
treasured, for in her opinion what Guy
couldn't do wasn't worth doing.
The next morning Mr.. Maddox made
his appearance, very saturnine and
gloomy, and ate his breakfast with
mournful air that was terribly impress
sive. Having finished, he then took leave
of his niece in a feeling manner.
Il am about to leave YOU" said he
mournfully. Il am about TO end this
life Of misery. l hope that you may be
happy.
"Oh, don't go" said Lizzie, tearfully
clinging to him, and looking into his face
pleadingly.
ats useless. said Mr. Maddox firmly.
My mind is fixed, and nothing you can
do can persuade me to relinquish my
purpose But you, my dear child, shall
not be unprovided for. intend to make
my will in the few hours that are left me,
and you will not be forgotten. Good by,
my dear child, farewell"
And then, after embracing his niece
fcrvently, he rushed from the room fran.
tically and securely locked himself in his
own room. and began to prepare himself
for his last journey.
mine O'clock! !" he said to himself.
looking at Lis watch. "Thrce hours vet