The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1897-08-27
THE PASSING OF
THE CIGARETTE.
BY BREvET.MAJOR GOTHAM.
~O>O>o>oo~o>o>

TT is a bachelors room. 1t does not
require a feminine eye to prove this
fact, accented, as IL is, by the very evil
dent disdrray of bachelors belongings
that lay strewn about.
A shoe last looks pensively out from
beneath a pair of trousers dangling
from the back of a longing chair that
breathes comfort from every indenta-
ton; a set of very much used foils,
whose nicked appearance prove many
passages, companion a fowling piece
Of the latest pattern, and together with
numberless canes occupy the corner
next the door; pictures that smack of
Stage, track and pigeon traps cover the
deep red lincrusta of the walls. The
center of the many-toned eastern rug
is occupied b. an antique writing
table, which, proud of it's position. an
grily reflects on its polished legs the
swapping flames of the logs th2t bLrn
their way So cheerily on the gray fiat
stones OF the large. open fireplace. II
is the rooms choicest charm, and being
so, is guarded by the griffin headed and
irons, that stand like brazen sentinels
IC the rlpnt anu ltlt, ds II ~ AhNh
mission TO guard the blaze.
The door opens Il admit the master,
who closes il hastily. as if TO shut out
some following intangible thing.
He wrenches impatiently at his coat,
and losses it aside to join its companion
garment on the chair.
The man is good TO look at; the score
- l.lg - 4. NUNS have had
ample time to grave their lines OF char
acter upon the handsome face. White.
drawn. and of reckless cast. IL is turned
toward a far corner of the room shere
the shadows lay darkest.
Asound. almosta sigh, comes ron be-
tween the thin lips md then he turns and
writes; hours pass, yet he writes on uh-
til the rattle of the pen upon the table
uarks that the task is finished.
The addressed envelope blinks at hlm
from the base of the clock where he
carefully places it. NO one can fail
to see il there" he says. softly.
Returning to the chair. he opens a
fligree case and takes from its sil'ern
surroundings Of metal lace work a
cigarette, the last IL contains.
THE only one" he mutters. and the
last" then lights it.
The scented clouds roll lightly and
lazily above the silent smoker for a
brief space. then. half-consumed, he
tosses the cigarette into a queer re-
ceiycr. shaped like a Sabot. 1t splutters
n, the touch of the cold metal and
goes out.
Crossing quickly to where an old cab
met leans its weight against the wall.
IL takes from one of the many drawers
something that glitters in the freight.
As il with q purpose, he walks rapidly
TO a doorway. parts the curtained por-
tails. pauses a moment and then Is ND
den by the black shadows beyond.
Hark! What's that dread noise? A
muhied report has sounded from the
room behind the curtains. their silken
folds sway by a draught and open n
trinc to admit rings of steel-hued
smoke. and a pungent odor fills the
outside room.
Holy smoke. what's that?" cries the
Cigarette. raising its gray head from
the little heap of warm ashes that has
formed It's bed.
''Eh, what's the matter?" queries
the Pipe. in answer. lazily rolling over
on it's polished side.
why, you old lightweight answers
the excited Cigarette, don't you know
q pistol shot when you rear it?"
My esteemed friend of the tissue
paper coat" retorts the Pipe, stirred
to action by the others marked un
appreciation OF the dignity that hi
sort commands. you are nervous. Pts
tol shot in this room? You are crazy
but IT'S all from keeping late hours
suppose; you were born TO be light
headed" and with n satisfied glance a
his glittering silver bands, the Pip
turns over and prepares to resume hi
rudely-interruptcd nap.
Il suppose you think YOU are funny
Mr.. Pipe!" shifts the Cigarette. angrily
perhaps you think that because yo,
have been dug out Of the ground an,
have enjoyed the benefits of n sea yoy
age. that you can lord il over me? WHY
you old ash-sifter. | can give YOU card
and spades and beat YOU in n walk
even II ! am machine-made."
Speak for yourself. Kid" growls on
The Whist Pack. from his place on IN
card rack. where he had been a silen
hstener to the alteration. Don't ee