Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1898-05-12

some consideration to this severe CRIT
icism from an unknown and to lay
down the pen of a sorry rhymer. But
by attacking the doctor in his profess
sion the critic had defeated his own
end.
Thirty years of practice, numer-
GUS clientele and snug little fortune
all testified to his capacity as follow
er Of Esculapius.
He therefore decided in his own
mind that this venomous epistle had
been written by some Interpretations
er who was jealous of his success. and
instead of breaking his Tyre he mount
ed Pegasus once more and rode on to
the most sunny parts Of the pure ether.
This weakness In the dear old man
was overlooked by most of his friends,
even though it sometimes bored them
to listen to illusions which they evil
IDENTIFY did not appreciate at the value
given them by the writer.
Lucfe Mahaie alone took lively in
terest in his compositions. She was an
orphan living with her uncle and his
two children-a son, who was q sailor
and away from home a great part OF
the time, and daughter, Madeleine,
who dearly loved her cousin Lucie.
Very often when the doctor would
bring new piece of poetry for the
inspection and appreciation of Lucie,
and the latter would read and kindly
criticise, Madeleine would comment on
her patience and sweetness.
1T is SO little to do" Lucie would
answer, land gives him so much hap
piness"
But Madeleine had her own theory,
which she did not dare submit to her
innocent cousin, and she foresaw time
when some of the illusions of the poet
would suffer "a cruel shock.
Meanwhile ,Lucie pored over those
sheets and tried to make sense of them.
"Dun't you think, doctor, we would
better take the physicians instruments
and amputate foot here and there in
these verses? Useless to say he
would cheerfully agree and cut off or
change at her suggestion till little of
the original remained, although he al
ways lost sight of that point.
No oone knew just when it began, but
every Dne noticed a queer change over
the doctor.
One day the poet walked in with a
determined air, not even giving more
than bow to the captain, who had
just arrived; he went straight to Liz
cie's uncle, set himself up in front of
him and stared at him through his
spertacles.
Now, then, my dear comrade," SAID
he with a voice trembling with the
force of "a sudden resolution, II can no
longer conceal from you that have
decided to renounce celibacy! Yes, T.,
Dr.. Pennors, the humble poet, am
thinking of marrying; and it is from
ll-and-sand one other-that l ex-
pect my happiness
General :stupefaction! Was the doc
tor mad? He continued:
Il know very well that can be but
father and protector to one so much
younger than myself, but as have 10
heirs 4 wish, before taking a seat in
CharDn!s ihoat, Ito join my ancestors in
the Elysian felds-I wish to give my
self the satisfaction of having made at
least one person happy in this world,
one who will mourn for me when am
gone. Here is my will. You may read
it at your leisure. Just now ask you
for the hand of Miss Lucie Mahaie-
whom ,lOve-as. a father"
A deep emotion followed the inclina-
ton to laugh which had at first taken
possession of every one present, for
they all appreciated sincerely the gen.
erosity of the f0ld man in taking this
solemn step.
They felt, however, Kind of uneas-
mess. for a recent occurrence prevented
@Gs n