Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1896-09-17
THE LAST CIGAR.

As the coffee was being served, the
hostess said "You know, gentlemen,
l do not find smoking at all disagree
able" and at the same time nodded to
her husband. He left the table, and
soon returned with box decorated
with many inscriptions, containing
large cigars, each enveloped in silver
paper, and having all the luxury due
to their high price. As the case, pass
ING from hand to hand, came to me, |
took one and offered the box to my
neighbor, who, gently pushing it aside,
said: Thank you, do not smoke
You don't smoke - cried the host
ess, in astonishment.
"And where, pray, did you form
that habit"
1T is not a habit, but punish
ment," he replied.
"a punishment? I do not under
stand, said she, in a mystifed tone.
"Of course you cannot understand
1t is romance"
"a romance Tell us about it. y
Evidently my neighbor wanted
nothing better than request for his
little romance, and with an inclination
of the head, which seemed to say, "Oh,
willingly. I wait only for the word
from you, commenced by saying:
a am now fifty years old, madame,
and l carry my age--but that does Lot
matter. However, | have not always
been that old. Twenty-Five years ago
| was--at least people tell Inc so--a
young man, not unprepossessing; tall,
with hair and pretty blonde mus
tache, thick and heavy in the middle
and tapering at each side into fine
points, turned haughtily upward. Ny
friends pretended that l prickled all
hearts with my mustache. Evidently
they exaggerated. | did not believe
them entirely, although | did pierce
several. | smoked great deal at that
time, and friends, when they met me
in the evening with lighted cigar
cried: There is Philip, Illuminating
his mustache. To be brief, my mus
tache caused great deal Of jealousy
and I was proud of it. One beautiful
day, above all beautiful evening,
fell in love. 1t was at ball. | hac
danced three waltzes with an adora
bic young girl My heart was takeI
during the first waltz. l madeinquir
les in regard to the beauty who haC
made such deep impression upon me
and learned she was the daughter o
millionaire merchant, Of a most hon
orable family that she would have 4
dowrv of 100000 francs that her pa
rents were hard to please they desired
a son-in-law distinguished, intelligen
and rich. Ina word, a pearl. a pearl
I was too modest to hope to meet thei
ideas, and as l possessed but a small
fortune, l believed it my duty not t
take part in the race, and retreated Il
disorder. When one is in love 1t
very rare that one is able to hide II
Nv friends soon discovered my secret
People discussed me. Some pitied me
some tormented me. Finally the fact
in passing from friend to friend, fror
parlor to parlor, came to the ear c
Mile. Genevieve, and she learned on
day that there existed in the world
young man with blonde mustach
who was langrishing for her. Wa
she touched by my discreet passion
Had I already made an impression ur
on her?"
Perhaps your mustache had, l IL
terrupted.
"Yes, no doubt it was my mustache,
he replied. "At any rate, whatever
was, Genevieve informed her fathf
she wished to marry me- The fathe
objected, but the young girl was t.
nacious and gained the day. Our Ell
gagement was SIX weeks long. Tho'