The Forrest City times., 1891-02-20

profession, had established himself many years ago in the little town of Cogswell, under the patronage of old Lady Dudgeon, who was 8 distant cousin of his; and, being man of agreeable manners. he became so great favorite with that lady that not only was the manage ment of all her affairs placed in his lands, but it was generally supposed that she had in q manner adopted him-he being an un- fortunate orphan of about five and thirty-and intended to endow him with all her worldly possessions, when she should require them no longer her self. But Tom Soper was an ambi- tious man, he was an impatient man, and was not content to look forward to happy future, but wanted hap py present as we'll and, in seeking that happiness, which with him assumed the shape of money. he permitted himself so to manage his relatives af- fairs that portion of her income found it's way into his own purse, Lady Dudgeon discovered these pro- ceedings, and there was a hot quarrel. Mir. Soper was forthwith disadopted and sent about his business; he had killed the goose that had laid the golden eggs, and went about declaring that it had only died to spite him; that any reasonable bird would have lived through the operation and been all the better for it--a little gentle bleeding for the good of it's health. Lady Dudgeon, however, refused to look upon 1t in that light and forth with installed another distant cousin, a young lady this time, Ill the position of first fayorite, People said that Mir, Sopers ingratitude had broken Lady Dudeeon's heart and hastened her death. but, as she survived that little episode some ten years and WAS eighty eight when she did die, perhaps old age had as much to do with 1t as anything else
 Mfr, Soper, on receiving the melan- choly tidings, put on his hat and went up to the house or mourning: for, sad he, notwithstanding certain unpleaS- ant misunderstanding that had ars- en between him and the deceased. he had ever regarded her with unlimited affection, and all differences were for gotten in tue grave, and moreover, as next to kin, it was his melancholy privilege to take the management of affairs ipto his own hands. This claim of being next Of kin startled every body. but nevertheless was a just claim; Lucy Dudgcon had outlived all her nearer relatives, and no one had given thought to the matter except the party most intcrested--and that he was interested to very great ex- tent was soon proved by the discov- cry tha" there was no will No. poor little Miss Champion had to pack up her things and go home again; and after ten years ot expectation and St. clusion with old Lady Dudgeon this was hard but there was no help for 1t, so home she went, and became ill due time u govcrness.
 As inheritor of Lady Dudgeon's wealth, Mir. Soper retired from busi- ness and bccamea u popular man--pop- ular from mere dint of money; he spent profusclv, built schools, erected T pump, gave n stained glass window to the church and Christmas dinners to the poor and what was more than all, he founded q literary and scientf- ic institution, which was to do won ders in the way ofelevating the masses and as to those who were not of the masses there was no foretelling to what q height they might be exalted; it was only to be hoped that tho Cogswellians would not get a severe fall through pride.
 All this, you will understand. Is by way of introduction. simply necessary for the understanding of what shall follow.
 It had been determined to open the institution with great splendor. All the neighboring gentry were to be in- vited. there was to be n scientific ad- dress by a professor brought cx- pressly from London, there were to be mineralogical specimens, and geological specimens, and other won- ders of like nature; telescopes, micro scopes. stethoscopes--that is to say stereoscopes; and the proceedings were to conclude with ball and concert in the great room of the Black Lion," adjoining tho institution, and. save that the weather was as bad as could be. the affair was as successful as could be desired. \ particular success--as the forerunncr of Cogswellian enter talnment-was the professors ad- dress. He was a little quick man, nho. with the aid of glass of water, undertook to discuss for half an hour z on the indestructibihty oi matter. Everybody considered him very aiTable for a man of learning. and he had the plcasantest way of linparting knowl- <.dgc that you can imagine.
 ~, Now. he he au anTup,ly you no doubt often think you have des s,royel something.
 Mr.Soper was sitting in the very cen ter O; the first row of cane.bottom chairs, and on him the Professor fixed his sharp eyes when he spokc;natunl- iy, perhaps, but Mir. Soper didn't like 1t.
 "A hit Of paper, for instance. said the Proiessor--and AIr. Soper began to iislcct in his chair--'you put it on the fire, We will sny, it burns and then 1t Is des,royedy No such .hingl9
 What do you mcany" said Mr. Soper.
 ''l mean, my dear sir. I mean, Indies and gentlemen, that IL is simply alter. cd, not destroyed 1t ~a once paper, now it Is SO mucl - Ter. so sutiah yatsar Nn,, ,xsll ,,,,s...,.ata,,i