The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-03-29

blow had made him misanthropic and
subject to fits of i'll humor.
The editor of the Chronicle, a humane
gentleman and a friend of all his en-
ployes, convinced that Zwcifel's strange
actions were the result OF overworls,
one evening called him into his private
Office.
MIR Zweifcl," said the editor, kind
ly. you have been with us for fifteen
years and have never taken q rest
Next month there will be musical
gathering in Vienna. The Chronicle
wants a good report of the meeting,
and l think you should represent the
paper. After you have finished your
work, you might, perhaps, be willing
to travel around little and send us
occasional letters from different points
of interest"
Sir" replied Mr. zweifel, moved
by the chiefs kindness, ''you misun-
derstand my condition. You seem to
think that / am overworked. Such is
not the case; and, consequently, can
not accept your kind offer Some
time"-here the poor fellow broke
down completely = sometime you
may, perhaps, learn the cause of my
present distressing condition.
When the month had bargained for
drew to a close, Zweifel, despite further
cntreaties, submitted his resignation,
which was accepted regretfully
enough; and q few days later the poor
fellow became a fixture at prominent
downtown corner where he stood from
morning until late at night examining
the features of every woman.
In the course of time his clothes be-
came shabby and his face showed that
he denied himself wholesome food
His friends made many attempts to
restore him to society, but without
success. He listened to their cntrea-
tics patiently, thanked them for their
kindness, and ended his reply with a
hint that he did not care to be dis
turbed in his observations.
Summer passed. The cool days of
: autumn, it was thought, would have a
beneficial effect on the woman
gazer," as he was called by the news
boys and fruit-vcnders who frequented
the same corner. The hope proved de-
lusivc. Zweifel remained faithful to
his whim, and not even the icy blasts
Of winter moved him from his post.
From five in the morning until mid
dressing friend or acquaintance, but
politely answering every question put
to him by strangers.
Winter reluctantly yielded to spring,
and still the poor fellow continued his
search for the woman of his vision.
One particular cold April night he
showed symptoms of returning con-
sciousuess and one of his former ASSOC
ciates astonishcd the boys in the Office
by announcing that "Old sZweifels"
eyes had lost their unearthly look.
happened to be ut the Chronicle office
ut the time, and FASTENED down street
to seek confirmation OF the happy re-
port.
My old FRIEND was at his accustomed
post, but he failed to recognize me.
His eyes seemed to penetrate the
gloom; n hoarse laugh was succeeded
by q deep sigh. and his dreary watch
was forever ended.
He had found the woman of his Wis.,
ion.
Old-time friends wrote an account of
his last days to friends in Germany.
In due time. one of them receive I q
letter from n physician of international
fame who was intimately acquainted
with the history of the Zweifel family.
''Thc dead mans friends here"
wrote the doctor, ''wcrc not sur
priscd to hear of his peculiar
end. His father died victim of hal
lucination akin to those expcriv by
the son, and the grandfather expired
in an insane asylum. His malady was
born with him, and was bound to de-
throne reason sooner or lnter."-G. W.
Wcippicrt, in Banner of Gold.