The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-05-17
CHAPTER /.
Binks was forty.

the pleasure OF making dis acquaintance
some ten years back. had no reason to
disbslieve bis statement.
1t was on Binks' birthday that he gave
me this piece OF information for the tenth
time, and he gave 1t with sigh.
Joseph" he said. who would think
that this was my fortieth birthday? Dear,
dear, how the years do fly"
1t was my own private opinion that
Binks had q knack of making them stand
still, but held my tongue. L never irri-
tate a man when l see that he is about to
confide in me. and something was evil
IDENTIFY weighing on Binks' mind.
He was smoking pipe with depressed
air as we sat over the fire together, aud
wondered if his cook had given notice.
BiEks was particular over his food.
Joseph" he continued. after q pause,
when man has reached the age of forty
il begins to dawn upon him that he has
duties to DO in the world-duties. my
boy"
1t struck me that if man did not real
ize this fact until he had reached the age
mentioned by Binks. it was extremely
probable that he would pass out OF lie
without ever thinking of them at all.
his eve upon me, there's marriage, now.
A man ought TO marry, Joseph"
l was thirty-tive myself-not by Binks'
way Of acknowledgement unmarried.
anticipated, therefore, lecture from
Binks on the subject.
MY dear fellow" l said. I'm too ugly
Nobody would look at me"
| thought that my humble answer 10
Binks was playful way of putting "a stop
TO a conversation which might be dIStasie-
full, and which was certain TO bore me.
was. therefore, surprised at the ferocity of
Binks' small eyes as be turned them on
me.
"You?" be said. in slow and measured
tone of scorn. you are only boy. |
was speaking of myself"
To say that my eyes nearly fell out of
nv head at this remark. would be q poor
and feeble way OF expressing nv astonish-
ment. Ever since BInks' first fortieth
birthday-ten years agO-he had been
such a confirmed bachelor and woman
hater, that the idea OF matrimony had
never even entered into my head in con-
nection with him. He had lived in the
same solid. square, old-fashioned house,
psrtaken of the same solid, square, old
fashioned meals. and been served by the
same solid, square, old fashioned servants.
as long as l could remember. He liked
everything to be- done by clockwork, and
had certain strange fixed whims and WAYS
of his own which q future Mrs. Binks
would iniallibiy 90 her best to upset. In
person. TOO, Binks could scarcely be called
attractive. lie presented the general ap-
peasance OF an unhedged sparrow. He
had a besky nose. small. beady, black
eyes, aud high, bald head. with scanty
fringe OF suspicious-colored hair all round
1t. When ne got excited in conversation
and tapped lis arms about, the resem-
biancs became positively startling, aud it
was all / could do 10 prevent myself from
admiring the exact generalization aloud
sometimes.
On the present occasion. of which
duly recognized the importance, / felt that
something was expected of me. / resolved
to be diplomatic, however, as Binks
looked so much IN earnest-hs is bigger
man than | am, and apt to hit Gu: when
irritated-and i, therefore, repressed those
brilliant and punRent witticisms which
were lowering at the end OF my tongue
and for the readiness and aptitude oil
which had achieved quite reputation
in a small way, and merely said, shaking
nay head little:
well, well. Blnks, there is something
In what you say, but l am afraid it will be
great change for you"
That Is what / am rather afraid OF too
Joseph" responded Binks little uneas-
lily. but l am firm man, as YOU know
AMI l should resist any, innovations oil
which / dizapproved."
] fancied that this snti-nuptial resolu-
ton on Binks' part might be productive Of
matrimonial squabbles In the future, espe
cially il the lady happened to be high
spirited.
impaired these impressions to Binka
in iudiciously yelled manner.
Not AZ all, not at all, !" ne answered. ris
ing and walking about the room excitedly
a have no fears on that score. | shall be
particularly careful, in making my choice
TO fix upon lady who is both amiable
and p iaD.e."
They are rather difficult TO meet with. y
l replied, by way OF damping his ardor @
little; "or a. least Nature, in her beautiful
way of balancing things, usually unites
amiability with ugliness. Witness my,
self"
''Not at all, not at ALL" replied Blink.
once more-this was a favorite expression
of his. II assure you that beautiful face
Is generally a reflection of the beautiful
soul within, and vice versa"
l do not think that Binks meant TO be
pefSOnhiiE Insulting mere, Out ne Is not al
ways so careful in the choice Of expression
as be should be. A coarser-minded man
than myself would have looked upon the
remark as a direct afront
"My dear Binks," ! said, ~ can only
hope that you will find your paragon. NV
own experience tells me that such q
woman does not exist"
A slow, cunning emile crept over Bin Ks
face as / said this, and the expression
made me 30 uneasy that exclaimed hast
ity;
GOOD heavens, Binks, ia it possibl,
that you have already made your choice?'
Binks tapped a little nearer, and the
fatuous smile spread over his features.
''What il | haye2" he said hoarselv.
made no reply. being for the moment
rather stunned. and also occupied in nv
own mind in running over all Binks fem
mime acquaintance / failed to find on,
whom l considered in any way suitable.
In the meantime Binks had tapped to
the glass, and was regarding himself in il
with an expression of innocent admiration
of bis own charms which made me Ion
10 fell him 10 the earth How often hay,
1 wished that heaven had not made m,
two feet shorter than Binksl
"You wouldn't call me q bad-lookin,
man. now, eh. Joseph" he said, with
smirk, as he turned away.
well, Binks, there's no accounting To-
tastes, you know"