Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1892-12-30
A PRESCRIPTION.

Arthur Brenton was a young maj
gossessed Of some money and goot
deal Of ability. But something else IL
turn possessed him-namely, passion
1T was not a passion that led him int
any folly, unless overWork be counted
as destination. 1t was not the passion
that controls or mods nine-tenths OF
the human race. The object of his
alteration had its origin In the most
intense heat imaginable, but its radi
ance was cold and impersonaI He
cared more for the sharp, quick, selfish
sparkles from dynamo machine than
for the light Of wit or tenderness in a
woman's eye. The passion that pos
Sessed him was for electricity.
Il can't understand this at ALL" said
his friend Reed, picking up in Rrentons
rooms one day Il pamphlet filled with
long mathematical formula and strange
designs Of instruments. Cant under
stand it any more than / can your alb
sorption in this pursuit. How can you
20 on with such horribly dry reading!"
Trenton replied "The dryness Of the
reading. my boy, only increases the
thirst for knowledge"
"Of course" said Reed. After IN III
slant he laughed and added: 'Oh,
understand that; it's a joke. But don't
you ever get tired out!'
yes" BrentOn admitted "The fact
is I'm tired now for almost the first
dine Somehow I'm losing interest in
my studies Ny head doesn't work
well, and I don't know what the trouble
s."
rBcttcr see 4 DOCTOR" Reed advised.
BrcntOn went TO his physician that
very evening. A few days later Reed
was surprised to meet him 1T dinner
party, for his friend was a man who
seldom went out Brcnton was cX-
tremcly gay ana seemed to throw his
whole heart into the affair. What he
was throwing into the conversation
with his ncighbor, pretty Miss parnt,
Reed could not tell, but she was cvi-
IDENTITY pleased
"Wcll, old fellow" Reed said TO him
when they were smoking. "you seem
in such good trim, ! take it you are all
right"
"fhere's nothing in the world the
matter with me-" Brcnton answered
buoyantly. Doctor said so Let us
live and be happy
This rollicking manner was so I'M
usual in him that Reed began to think
that there was something the matter
lie worried himself about his friends
brain. Reed was never troubled about
his own brain, although he frequently
Tollickcd and went much into society.
But his concern for Brenton dcrpcncd
as he met him day after day and night
after night at receptions, dinners and
even ut balls. The worst shock was
still 10 come. one remarkable midnight
he found himself sitting opposite BIrn-
ton 1T select little poker party in the
house Of friend, and they parted at
9 II the morning, Brcnton having bet
freely and lost couple Of hundred.
Look here, Arthur" said Reed on
ycicGaBcolqatWVBGKYIIc,,t NH vcyy
the doorstep, feeling it his duty to
speak, this isn't the sort of thing for
YOU 1T all You don't know how to
for Your ignorance"
STEADY now, Reed" answered Brcn-
ION who had drunk nothing but settler
during the night. 81 am all the richer
for having lost two hundred and odd
dollars.
well, but your work" Reed insisted.
with the fathcrly bcncvolence inspired
Dy his wontcd drafts Of champagne ut
The card table. GLOW can you so along
III this drive and attend to your work"
Il don't do any" said Brcnton
"Rut but your electricity, | mean"
said Reed
Hrenton looked severe. Don't men
ton that word to me-" said he. Il
Know nothing about electricity"
OF course after that there was but
one eonSlusion for Reed to draW-hiS
friend was insane. 1t was perfectly
natural that Reed should devote his
time TO society; that he should fire.
clubs, duck suppers and poker
parties: that he should know nothing
about electricity. and very little about
anything else. All this for him was
wealthy and reasonable, but for BreI-
ION 10 he i'll the same condition and do
sthe same things was pure insanity.
Let rs be just to Reed. He felt keen
sorrow for the fact, but he decided
that his duty for the present was 10
keep the mournful secret to himself.
Other people did not seem to suspect
ut at all. Brcnton had large circle OF
nonconducting or unelectrical friends,
who had long been trying to draw him
into their gayctieS and We're only too
glad that he had ut last hearkened to
their persuaSions. They knew he was
bright They were rejoiced to see him
take his proper place and rapidly be
come Il favorite The ParetS especially
were pleased. They, as every one
knows, We're immensely rich. Old Miss
Sarah Paret. who, with no need for
money, had become 4 sort of receiving
reservoir of the family wealth. was
looked upon with great interest by all
the branches which acted as distribut-
ing reservoirs. and old Miss Sarah had
long ago taken n great fancy to Bren-
ton
I suspect her of having for some time
PLANNED match between him and her
niece, Lily Paret-the one he had sat
next to at the dinner / have mentioned.
Miss Sarah was too proud, too rich and
too maidenly to divulge this amatory
plan, but l suspect her all the same.
1t gave her great delight to see the