The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1896-12-02
A TELESCOPE VIEW.

The cub having gone off to Switzer.
land to look for Mousie (and to propose
to her), informed William that it was
my intention to return to town without
delay.
So William said, "Then shall come
and stay with you
let him como. knt " why he want
ed to como. He wanted to Come because
he wanted to pay calls at the Jungle
and see Miss Ethel Mainwaring. Will
liam, therefore, accompanied me, and it
soon became clear to me that his visit
was to be ono of some duration. How
ever, as he spent most of his time how
ering between Lords and the Jungle
partaking Of many meals at the latter
address-his stay did not put mo to
much expense, which was gratifying, as
my income, though quite sufficient for
ono single gentleman, will not stand
being divided between two single gen
tlemen. have often remarked to the
cashier of the London German that it is
strange how badly off most writers en-
finance aro--tile irony of fate, presume
but his sole reply is, II zubboze it is
begos they bragtiss vot they breach"
and pays little regard to my wistful
glances in tho direction Of his strong
box.
Tho foregoing sentences are supposed
TO represent period of rather more than
three weeks was making some hu-
morous remarks about company which
had been started TO insure young mar
ried men against twins when there came
two slow knocks ut the door-two life
less knocks, two ahjectly miserable
knocks Mr.. Charles johnson, the clerk,
knew Who it was He is in love himself
with young lady iii Fleet street tea
shop and sympathizes with tie cub. AS
gently, therefore, as trained nurse did
Mr. Johnson open the door, and it was
with an air of the deepest coincidence
that he ushered Master John Mainwar-
ing into my presence.
"Oh, how are youf'' cried cheer
fully.
Ripping; thanks" lie replied, in a
tone such as condemned murderers
would use in reply to Mr.. Billington's
greeting
Then he flung himself into q chair
and laughed bitterly.
az wish | were dead--deadP' he
then remarked.
This was getting serious. Here was
young gentleman, aged 23, possessed of
~
and all those other things which make
life worth living, don't you know,
wishing he were no more-wishing he
were a cold corpse.
l knew, of course. Getting up, /
marched into Charles Johnson s scullery
office to find that blushing youth deep
in penny booklet, entitled "Wooed,
Won and Wed or. True Love Triumphs
Der All. !" / gave Mr.. johnson some
directions. and presently he came in
with two steaks, q mountain of vegeta-
bles and large bottle of Lord Bass.
"Now, Mainwaring," said. "I'll
say grace to save time, and you set to. -
He demurred at first, but finally al
lowed himself to be persuaded. The
scene that followed fairly beggars de-
scription. When the cub had finished.
1 said, as he lit his pipe:
$50 she won't have your"
To my surprise, he did not do or say
anything violent, but went on lighting
his pipe. / was inwardly congratulate
ing myself ON the success Of the meas
ures had taken in order to dispense the
cubs funereal ideas, when no suddenly
remarked:
"This is my last pipe"
"Going to train for something, them"
"This is the last pipe ! shall ever
smoke. F"
you'll find it difficult to give up to-
bacco SO suddenly"
He pulled solemnly for a few mo-
ments. and then, pointing with the stem
of his brier to the cleared decks. he
said
81 have eaten my last meal. "
1t now struck me that there was some
thing more than mere training in the
cubs self abnegation. There was that
in his cold blooded speeches which
chilled me, which produced curious
sensation in my scalp, which would
doubtless have caused my hair to stand
on end had the quantity there been suf-
ficient to undergo the process. | gazed
at him with paling face.
For quite three minutes he said moth
ing. but smoked steadily. Feeling thor
oughly uncomfortable, / took up my
pen and began to write. had hardly
covered line, however. when the cub
observed in an offhand tone:
I'm short, / am going to kill myself.
"Nonsensei''
was determined not to take him
seriously, you see.
eyes" he continued. Either with
this''--drawing little white bottle la
beled poison from his waistcoat pock ct
"this''-producing razor from the
depths of the inside breast pocket Of his
coat--"or this --whipping, with dex-
terity that would have done credit to
Mr.. Maskelyne. tiny revolver out OF
some other part of his apparel.
"You are we'll provided, " said chat
ingly, although felt nervous at being
in such close proximity to so deadly an
outfit.
Eyes" he said, toying with the re-
volver, 81 am going to make sure OF it,
I shall first swallow the poison, then
cut my throat and then shoot myself
through the brain. y r..ss.e
He tried the edge Of the razor ON his
n..I ,.noa~4x;.,<. kko hoftla sniff.