Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1891-01-01

hours (twenty-four each day. in playing
cards for whisky straights. l went tt
the village grocery. BY strange coin
cidence, as is usually the case in New
Years novels, it was New Years eve
once more. 1t was not the same New
Years eve when proposed to Jennie
but fourteen years later.
| Yes, there was Bill Boozle, with a nose
looking more like Chinese lantern than
human organ of smell, playing cards
with his boon companions, and he seem
ed to be the booniest of the gang. All
at once | saw Jennie. She entered all at
once. But, o, how changed, and for the
worsel She went up to him and said
civilian, where is that sealskin sacque
you have been promising me for New
Years gift for the last ten years?"
He didn't know where it was. Jen-
ME turned and went out with look of
such intense anguish on her features
that / half way felt sorry for her-hus-
band, when l thought what was in store
for him when he went home where she
could talk to him more freely.
When Bills boon companions heard
how he had deceived his wife they be-
came indignant, and threats of lynching
were freely indulged in. One of them
seized missile, and before l could stay
his arm he hurled it with all his force
at the inattentive husband. 1t struck
him with full force on the head, and the
next moment his head and shirt were
covered with crimson gore. He had
OF hu rir fnr
NoTE-Authors of novelettes are
warned that patent for this startling
climax has been applied for
The storm of indignation assumed
such dimensions that Bill Boozle rose
to his feet and staggered out of the
grocery, one of the jewellers giving him
a parting kick that raised him off the
ground. He meandered on both sides
of the road in zigzag fashion peculiar
to men who take toe many whisky
straights. He was going to the railroad
station. kept on pursuing him. He
evidently contemplated throwing him
self under some passing train. Then
he changed his mind and started in the
direction of the station. In moment
had OWNED his intention. He had
given up the idea of throwing himself
under the locomotive as too uncertain.
He was going to adopt mode of death
which, while more painful, would be
absolutely sure. He was going to eat
kiln-dried railroad lunch counter sand
witch.
Just as he was reaching out for the
fatal sandwich l grasped his suicidal
arm and led him away where gave him
my card and told him that l had come
to save him and Jennie from a fate
worse than death.
Bill was surprised, but he consented
to abstain from sandwiches for the pres
ent. l asked him how his wife was
coming on.
sGreat Heavensl" he exclaimed, "she
is starving to death for sealskin sacque-
It's all my fault, for she is an angel of
goedness. Never a harsh word from her
lips Let me go and eat the fatal sand
wich."
"Bill," said 1, "they are not healthy
when INDUCED to excess. I'm your
friend, and I've got the money to help
you and Jennie. Here is $500 for
sealskin sacque for Jennie. Here is
81 900 more to get some wet groceries,
etc., to celebrate this New Years eve.
Tell Jennie you rung in cold deck on
your boon companions. Wipe that to-
mate off the back of your neck. All
ask of you is that you swear off on whis
ky and cards.
There was happy gathering in the
Bill Boozle mansion that New Years
eve.
Bills swear-off held good. Not drop
of whisky passes his lips. He takes bot
tied beer and gin lizzes instead, and in
stead of cards 1 give him tips on the
Wall street market. Jennie is as happy
as the day is long, parading the streets
in that sealskin sacque.
And l am a welcome guest at their
house. My appearance is signal for
burst of delight from the children. We
are happy, so 1 will ring down the cur
tain before something happens to mar
the tableau.
THE END.
NoTE-I desire to call the attention
Of the reader who has waded through
the foregoing to the fact that 1 have
kept my promise of writing story out
Of the usual line. Variety is the spice
of life. ALEX. SWEET.
Author of "Jennie's Lovers" etc.