The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1891-02-19
CURING A CRANK.

Maddox gloomily, and it is best that
the world should be rid of my pres
ence. No one cares for me-
"Oh, don't say that, uncle" said
Lizzie Silver beseechingly. you
know love you. You are the only
friend 1 have in the world, and if you
were to die what would become of mep'"
81 suppose young Guy Cheevers
would console you for my loss" said
Mr.. Maddox, grimly. ':At any rate l
don't care. l will end my troubles
and sorrow tomorrow at II M
And 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 disappointed you in your
love of a bonnet?" asked a 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 -
O'clock"
"How do you know?" asked Guy.
He said So"
'But how does he know"
lies going to kill himself"
$50 as to make himself true
prophet, eh?' asked Guy, laughingly.
"Oh,. Guy, don't joker cried Lizzie
tearfully. He will know ne will"
Il doubt it," said Guy. skeptically.
But he tried to commit suicide
several times,' persisted Lizzie, fear
fully. "Once he tried to smother
himself with burning charcoal, but h e
forgot to stop up the keyhole, and I
smelt the smoke and got some neigh
bors to break open the door and save
him. Then he tried to hang himself,
but the cord broke; and he fired
pistol at himself, but he forgot to put
a ball in it, SO that failed; and
them
"Gracious" cried Guy, as Lizzie
stopped for want Of breath "what a
determined man he must bel Such
perseverance deserves to be rewarded.
Have you any idea what plan he will
try now?"
I'm sure don't know" said Lizzie,
mourufully. ''Something dreadful,
suppose"
But what does he want to make
away with himself fOr?n asked Gnv
wonderingly.
"Why, he says he is miserab BILE
man, burden to everyone, 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 won't find it
so pleasant as the one he is quitting.
What an unreasonable man he must
be! be is rich. talented, healthy, and
has very pretty niece" and here,
In moment of abstraction he allowed
his arm to wander around Miss Siiver's
waist-''and what more can he wanto
- But some people never are satisfied.
1t seems he is determined to pry into
futurity, and it seems a pity to dis
appoint SO laudable an ambition. bnt
duty-duty to myself-compels me to
interfere. l dislike any scandal or
excitement. A coroner's jury would
cause both, therefore we must balk
his little game"
''But how?" asked Lizzie curiouslv.
"a prudent general" said Guv.
haughtlly, never confldes his plans to
his army, particularly when the army
is OF the feminine gender; 50 excuse
me, NUNS the word. But rest assured,
my dearest Elizabeth, that unless your
worthy uncle shuffles off this mortal
coil In surreptitious manner before
IL clock tomorrow he will not do it
a1terward-of course, I mean illegally.
Farewell till tomorrow.
Having concluded this address, Guv
strode Off in tragic manner, leaving
Lizzie greatly surprised. but still quite
treasured, for in her opinion what
Guy couldn't do wasn't worth doing.
The next morning Mr. Maddox made
MS appearance very saturnine and
gloomy, and ate his breakfast with p
mouraful air that was terribly impress
sive. Having finished he then took
leave OF his niece in a feeling manner.
-! am about to leave you," said be
mournfully. Il am about to end this
life OF misery. hope that you may
be happy"
''Oh, don't go!" said Lizzie, tearlully
cllnging to him and looking into his
face pleadingly.
"lts useless" said Mr.. Maddox
firmly. my mind is fixed and moth
ing you can do can persuade me to re-
linQuish my purpose. But you, nv
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 en-
bracing his niece fervently, Mr. Mad
dox rushed from the room franticallv
and securely locked himself into his
own room and began to prepare him.