The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1891-03-27
CURING A CRANK.

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that the world should be rid of my pres
ence. No one cares for me"
"Oh, don't say that, uncle" said Liz
zie 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 me?'
81 suppose young Guy Cheevers wol,d
| console you for my loss," said Mr.. Mad
dox grimly. cat any rate, don'tcare. l
will end my troubles and sorrow to-
morrow at 10 M"
And with these fearful words he strobe
out of the room, leaving Lizzie sobbing,
with her curly black head resting on a
dinner plate.
"What's the matter now, Bess? Has
the milliner disappointed you in your
love of 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. 'sUncle
Cyrus is going to die tomorrow at 10
o'clock"
ssHow do you know" asked Guy.
HE said So"
"But how does he know"
"He's going to kill himself"
$50 as to make himself true prophet,
ehS' asked Guy laughingly.
.sOh, Guy, don't joker cried Lizzie
tearfully. HE will know he will
al doubt it, said Guy skeptically.
"But he tried to commit suicide sew
eral times" persisted Lizzie fearfully.
'sOnce he tried to smother himself with
burning charcoal, but he forgot to stop
up the keyhole, and smelt the smoke
and got 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 he for
got to put any ball in it, SO that failed;
and them
"Graciousr' cried Guy, as Lizzie stop
ped for want of breath, 'what a deter
mined man he must be! Such persever-
ance deserves to be rewarded. Have
you any idea what plan he will try
now?"
1Fm sure l don't know" said Lizzie
mournfully. Something dreadful,
suppose"
s.But what does he want to make
away with himself for?' asked Guy
wonderingly.
.Why, he says he is miserable man,
a burden to every one. and that life has
no joys for him, and that he is weary of
this world"-
.sAnd 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! He is
rich, talented, healthy, and has very
pretty niece" here. in a moment of
abstraction he allowed his arm to wan
der around Miss Silver's waist-"and
what more can he want? But some peo-
pie never are satisfied. It seems he is
determined to pry into futurity, and it
seems a pity to disappoint so laudable
an ambition, but duty-duty to myself
-compels me to interfere. dislike any
scandal or excitement. A coroner's jury
would cause both, therefore we must
balk his little game"
"But howy' asked Lizzie curiously.
"a prudent general, said Guy haugh-
tily, ''never confdes his plans to his
army, particularly when the army is
of the feminine gender; SO excuse me;
NUNS the word. But rest assured, my
dearest Elizabeth, that unless your
worthy uncle shufles off this mortal coil
in surreptitious manner before 12 m.
tomorrow he will not do it afterward-
of course mean illegally. Farewell till
tomorrow.
Having concluded this address Guy
strobe off in tragic manner, leaving
Lizzie greatly surprised, but still quite
reassured, 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 a
mournful air that was terribly impress
sive. Having finished, he then took
leave of his niece in feeling manner.
II am about to leave you," said he
mournfully. II am about to end this
life of misery. I hope that you may be
happy"
"Oh, don't gor' said Lizzie, tearfully
clinging to him, and looking into his
face pleadingly.
'.It's useless" said Mr.. Maddox firm
ly. my mind is fixed, and nothing you
can docan persuade me to relinquish my
purpose. But you, my dear child, shall
not be unprovided for. intend tomake
my will in the few hours that are left
me, and you will not be forgotten.
Good by, my dear child, farewellr' r'-and
then, after embracing his niece fervent-
ly, Mr.. Maddox rushed from the room
frantically and securely locked himself
into his own room and began to prepare
himself for his last journey.
''Nine o'clocki' he said to himself,
looking at his watch. ''Three hours
yeti Enough to do all 1 have to do!
First to make my willi"
The last will and testament of Mr..
Cyrus Maddox was evidently not long
one, as it was finished in less than an
| hour.
"Eleven o'clockF' said Mr.. Maddox,
''and I have finished. How slow the
time passes, to be surel Now, what