The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1891-10-17
HOW HE WAS CURED.

VI am a miserable man, said Mr.. Cy-
rus Maddox gloomily, "and it is best that
the world should be rid of my presence.
No one cares for me.
Oh, don't say that, uncle, said Lizzie
Silver beseechingly. "You know love
you You are the only friend have in
the world, and if you were to die what
would become of me9"
Il suppose young Guy Cheevers would
console you for my loss, said Mr.. Mad
dox grimly, "At any rate, I don't care.
l will end my troubles and sorrow to-
morrow at 12 m. ="
With these fearful words he strobe out
Of the room, leaving Lizzie sobbing,with
her curly black head resting on a dinner
plate.
whats the matter now, Bess? Has
the miIliner disar pointed you in your
love Of bonnet?" asked a warm, hearty
voice, which was the property of young
Guy Cheevers," as Mr.. Maddox called
hinj, a5 that gentleman strobe into the
room.
"oh, Guy!n sobbed Lizzie. Uncle
Cyrus is going to die tomorrow at 10
O'clock.
How do you know"
"He said so, "
"Blt how does he know"
"Be's going 10 II himself. "
$50 as to make himself true prophet,
eh?" asked Guy, laughing.
"Oh, Guy, don't joke" cried Lizzie
tearfully. "He will know he will"
Il doubt It'll" said Guy skeptically.
but he tried to commit suicide several
times, she persisted fearfully. "Once
he tried to smoth.r himself with burn
ing charcoal but e 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 then"
"Gracious!" cried Guy, as Lizzie
stopped for want Of breath; "what de-
termined man he must be! Such perse-
verance deserves to be rewarded. Have
you any idea what plan he will try
now?"
"pm sure 1 don't know, " said Lizzie.
"But what does he want to make away
with himself for2" asked Guy wonder
ingly,
"Why, he says he is a miserable man
burden to every ore, 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 bel He is
rich, talented, healthy, and has a very
pretty neice"-here in a moment of alb
straction he allowed his arm to wander
around Miss Silver's 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. I dislike any scan
dal or excitement. A coroner's jury
would cause both; therefore, we must
balli 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 the
word. But rest assured, my dearest
Elizabeth, that unless your worthy uncle
shuffles off this mortal coil in surep.
titious manner before 10 o'clock to-mor
row he willnot doit afterward-of course
l mean illegally. Farewell till to-mor.
row.
Having concluded this address Guy
strode off in a tragic manner, leaving
Lizzie greatly surprized, but still quit
reassured, for in her opinion what Guy
couldn't do wasn't worth doing.
The next morning Mr.. Maddox made
his appearance, very saturnine anC
gloomy, and ate his breakfast with
moUrnful air that was terribly impres
sive. Having finished, he then took leavt
Of his niece in a feeling manner.
~ am about to leave you, said h
mournfully, II am about to end thi
life of misery, hope that you may b.
happy"
"Oh, don't go!" said Lizzie, tearfully
, clinging to him, and looking into his fac
pleadingly
"Its useless, said Mr.. Maddox firmly
my mind is fixed, and nothing you car
~ do can persuade me to relinquish IN,
purpose, But you, my dear child, shal
not be unprovided for, I intend TO max
my will in the few hours that are left me
and you win not be forgotten. Good by
my dear child, farewell"
. And then, after embracing his niec
fervently, he rushed from the room fran
tically and securely locked himself in hi
own room, and began to prepare himsel
for his last journey.
mine o'clock ~ he said to himself