Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-02-06
that participated in no more practical

that participated in no more practical
/ jokes
''Not much" Clipped in the soubrette.
And now said auntie, 'scornes the
/ most serious part of the joke. As Miss
Mason had recovered her ring never told
her that it was actually stolen out of INV
| room instead OF hers. | was rather
ashamed of my joke, which failed to be
| funny but it was gross, dreadful error
OF judgment. as you will learn before |
| have finished. Oh, if had only told her
1t would have saved me many a year of
suspense and fear
The theft of the ring and my foolish
ness had passed out of my mind. when
one day few years thereafter was ac-
costed in the street by yillainous looking
fellow, who called me Familiarity by name
and asked:
Say, mann, where can see ron about
little private business
Who are you:' asked. You are in
solent
Oh, no / amt he leered. Don't be
uppish. I'm the fellow that's lust out of
quad for stealing the ring that you stole,'
II could have tainted, but managed to
gasp:
What do you want?'
Money said he. thrust my fingers
into my purse and gave him the greater
portion of what had. The convict grabbed
it, and with that same dreadful lee-
laughed:
~ didn't peach, did /? kept your
secret. There is honor among thieves.'
II was speechless, dumfounded. Before
could recover my self possession he said.
Just as he was going away:
!. Don't squander any money on your
self, for shall see you often. -
"Oh, the wretch screamed Miss Mis-
chief. 81 would have torn his eyes out,'
Dear, that man bounded me for years.
He worked upon my fears. He kept me in
regular terror 1t is a part of my heart $
history, but will tell it to you. my little
one. was engaged to be married TO a gen.
tleman ont CT the procession, but | was
forced to send him adrift. For fear of OK
posurer' The relator fairly broke down
here, but mastered herself and continued:
Il was ambitious and had talent.
made great deal of money, but that
blackmailing wretch got the most of it. 1t
was nothing but give. give! His demands
never ceased and increased with my pro
fessional prosperity.
II have told you of my love. That
scOundrel learned of my approaching
marriage forbade it and declared. Il want
you for MYSELF -
"Horrors." groaned the soubrette.
81 had to give up my lover. l broke his
heart-l know it. He died years and years
ago, when you were child
Wherever | went for Years that villain
pursued me. No matter how great my
success, no matter what figure my salary
reached, the great bulk of it went the way
of thousands before it,
lone day he came to the place where !
was living and insisted on seeing me. The
convict brought with him diamond neck
lace of great magnificence and enormous
value.
present--for our wedding
81 threw them from me with indigna-
ton. He picked them up and fairly
screamed: Il stole them for you! You know
how to appreciate anything that is stolen.
''Then, as he saw that l would not take
them, he leered, We'll, as You don't want
them. do, thrust them into his pocket
and stalked out That was the last time
that ever saw him. That very night he
was engaged in IA burglary, was detected
by the police and in attempting to escape
was shot and mortally wounded.
"Bully,'' exclaimed Miss Mischief.
''That is all there is to tell child You
are the only one who knows why am sin
gle today, why am playing old women
and never was a star, as l deserved to be. f"
Miss Mischief looked glum and said,
"Auntie, it was indeed A Serious Joke. "
Amusement Globe.