Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1895-12-06
MY BEST FRIEND.


For centuries past Inoralists have been
lamenting tine decline of love- But moral
lists must sigh over something. Are they
rightP They may be, but 1 assure you
that 1 care very little; for in spite of all
they may say or do 1 have a friend, veri-
table fricnd--a friend such as one hardly
ever finds.
He is not Philnite, neither is he an
Alceste, but a sage. He does not exagger-
ate, nor is he partial. He sees the world
as it is and interprets it correctly. So
much the worse for the people if he is
sometimes ugly to behold.
He has but one mOtto-frankncss and
loyalty. Do not ask of him the fatal COM
! plaisance of the hypocritical 1atterer or
the forced appreciation of the shameless
| parasite But ask of him counsel disin-
terested and reliable his candid opinion
even though the latter should mortify for
a momont-cn fin, ask of him anything
you should expect from a faithful compan-
| ion, and he will never betray your conf
denCe.
The first timo 1 learned to appreciate
him-we had already been on intimate
terms, but l did not prize his worth and
left him in the shade-the first time, l
say, that l learned to appreciate him was
on "A certain night. l was invited to a ball
which should be preceded by private theat-
ricals consisting of parlor concert and
| comedy. Partly through vanity and partly
to be obliging l had accepted role in
both. l hoped to be successful, and several
of my friends assured me that played like
the deceased Talma and sang like Ellevion
l was about to go out, when suddenly
the idea came to me to try certain part
of the play before him whom l had neg
lected to consult. We were alone in the
center of the room, he close by tho chin
ney.
commenced a TRADE with gestures;
but, interrupting me at the first words, he
said
"What Have you lost your head? Do
you not perceive that you are grotesque-
that this comedy is a trap, and that you
are blinded by fiatteryP'
"And yeti
"'Yct' makes no difference. The pnnto-
mime is awkward, your face puckored,
your arms like wires. You will be APP
plauded openly, but scoffed at secretly
OF this [ warn YOU"
"You will at least yield to the three
verses of my romance in A fat?'
"That' still worse. Your mouth screwed
up and your eyes uplifted. Do you really
wish to pose as caricature?"
For a moment l was vexed, but on ex-
aiming myself l understood the correct
ness of the criticism. Since then when at
a soiree l can never SEQ victim dabbling
in proverbs or laundering in romance
without secretly blessing my friends in
reference.
Henceforth we swore eternal friendship
to each other, and L trusted him without
reserve.
But where will one meet such marvellous
perspicacity? 1t is impossible to hide any
thing from him. At first sight he begins
to question me.
Good day. What is the news today2
The devil! We are displeasod with our
selves. We arc annoyed by poor scheme
or prosecuted by rcmorse. Take care, my
friend; remorse is a melancholy compan-
ion.
Or else:
"Well and good. 1 like this bright face.
I'll venture to say you've just performed
good act. l do not congratulate you, as
it is evident you are already repaid"
And the good fellow always divines
rightly, so that one of these days l shall
become altogether good under my friends
influence.
Therefore if had daughter
Some periidious tongues have ON this
subject spread bad reports concerning my
friend. They say that he exercises a dan
gerous influence over women. But per
sist in maintaining that these rumors are
false
Thcrefore-I repeat tiff had a daugh-
ter, it is to him would send her for adj
vice, and think he would say:
"My dear, you are young and beautiful
May these two ornaments always adorn
you. Others will ask the luxury of useless
tlnery. Always remain simple, that you
may be loved"
Besides, there is hardly aphysician more
observing. 1t is true, he belongs to no
particular school, neither the allopath nor
the homeopath. He has invented no secret
remedy; neither has he made any an
nounoement on the fourth page of the
newspaper
But for this is he any worse? For my
part, l think him wiser, for his science is
based on self evident facts. He is never
mistaken, you may be sure.
Hin, h-m We did not sleep well last
night"
But
"Why dissembe? We sat up too late
We are in love? We sat up too late, as the
dark circles about the eyes clearly prove.
l prescribe to retire early today or I'll not
be responsible for the result. And, really,
the case is graver than 1 thought it. You
have been IL glutton this week? Do not
deny it. That yellow color says indiges-
ton"
1t is not long since we had an alterca-
tion. was passing him one day without |
thinking of any harm when he accosted |
me at the passage.
"Do you know that you are commenc-
ing to turn gray?"
"You don't say SCAT my age?'
'Tis only warning"
"With which l could very well dis
pense."
but which does not prevent my seeing
beautiful white hair on your temple. l |
only tell you this that you may be prepared
to relinquish your youthful pretensions,
which would become ridiculous"
Really, you weary me-"
II am very sorry"
A little more and all would have been
over between us. But he, without being