Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1894-08-03
A MADMAN'S WHIM.
by HARRY J. SMITH.

"I am extremely sorry, Jack, bu
circumstances over which l have n,
control will render it necessary tha
We should"
''Then You don't love me |"
Snow, Jack, that's unkind."
''But it's truel'
''No, it isn't true; not one bit of it.
and you know it Haven't engaged
myself to you in spite of papa's cold.
ness and mammals positive hatred?"
"Huml"
Haven't | stood by you in spite Of
everything people said about you?"
"All liesl" cried Jack, hotly.
81 know it," said Adele, laying a
loving hand on his coat collar. II
have always said that you did love me,
and were not careless and idle and i'm
provident and"
Jack shook off her hand quite rude
ly.
"And yet, when l ask you to marry
me, you say No Do you call that
love?"
Il call it common sense, Jack.
Why, you know you haven't anything
but your salary of fifteen hundred
dollars year"
'Love in a cottage with crust, .
began Jack.
"Oh, Jack. do be reasonableI Papa
is not unreasonable, and he loves me
dearly. Mamma will come round in
time, and then we can have a decent
wedding"
That's enough" }" said jack, calmly,
taking his hat. .sWo.xill nsta.liscuss
JACK Ashton pissed out veryx !
: tily. There is no more exquisi
pleasure than feeling that one has
genuine grievance.
: "There isn't much for a fellow Il
me to do" he said to himself, elab'
ating this idea, land l suppose
have to enlist as soldier Still Il
II wouldn't do. Precious little soldi
ing, and plenty of wood-chopping
:, road-making. If there was only
warl"
That he would do sometheng
perate he was, however, quite res'
ed. 1t was absurd to think that
RD could go on living.
1t was the afternoon OF the u
y, day. He had been to the park IN
morning, and had walked back. II
was a strange dizziness in his h
en- his knees knocked together more
ts, once. and twice his eyesight see
to be leaving him. He was hum
nd he had not eaten for nearly
DAYS, but he thought he was dyini
. % It gave him certain sort OF
Blast satisfaction. He would not
NV taken his own life, but If death "
cts, come without his direct aid
:. w. W then he looked at his reflection
plate glass shop window and shu
ed.
TT would never do to die in ST
w. plight. His clothes were dusty
boots grimy and scuffed, and he
lcco, not been shaved for three
Come he might as well die
n ." gentleman. The bootblack fe
work at once as he sank int
chair, and Jack was dimly con
that the boy was making a gooc
A by street ran off the tho
fare, and half way down a slend
and white striped pole protrude
door. Jack sauntered down
shop.
.sShave? Yes, sir" said IL
Der, in voice quite in keepin
his looks.
s'A pleasant day" said jack
ily. as the barber lathered him
'Exceedingly pleasant, 81
barber. 'eThe weather is one
few things we can enjoy
price"
The idea struck Jack as {
and he smiled for the first
three days,
s.In this world" pursued
Der, ''where man has but 4
and that of humble origin, h
fight for what others more fay
have for the asking"
ga Socialist" said Jack to
with the natural contempt 0
clerk.
Therefore, continued tt
beginning on Jacks chin, 9
tunate that this life is bu
cycle; that the Karma of to
a preparation for another
perhaps, Nirvana, who know
''By heavens! Buddl
claimed Jack to himself.
The barber turned his Ii
full upon him.
''Not exactly" he said 81
am 0 TheosophiGt. "