The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-09-02
TIE CARDCASE.
How the Happiness OF Two
Lives Turned
Upon a Trihing Event.


hearted. generous disposition, and was
ever shewering gifts of greater or less
value upon her friends. If any n
Glanced to call and professed admiration
for one Of her knickknacks, she invaria-
bly, said:
If it pleases you, do pray accept It"
One really had to be most positive IN
declining, else they would never leave
empty handed. | was her eldest broth
er's college comrade and was always
welcome at their house. ! had known
her ever since she was, a child and for
merly called her Rosette, but now it was
Miss Rose. as she was 20 and | was %.
at that time they thought of marrying
her. and as she had both beauty and
wealth it was easy enough to ind a
ready aspirant. 1 was but a pool devil,
living from hand to mouth. more often
faring worse than better. However l
was endowed with good sense and never
dreamed of considering myself an eligi-
bic party. But one day, when shaking
her hand upon leaving. It seemed to me
that she gave mine a lingering pressure,
and it started me conjectuFing, | must
confess most foolishly, and then forced
myself to reason and said: do not be a
fool She is not for you"
From that moment my good sense re-
turned to me. / have never been ambi-
tious, nor did / ever think that good for
tune would come to me for the asking.
Owing to these traits Of character l
must acknowledge have led a dull exist
ence, with little or no JOY in my life.
But, by way of compensation | have had
few receptions, few regrets and borne
little malice. and have endeayored to be
happy with what | had. Why should |
complain? II ] have never been over
come by excessive JOY or rapture. ] have
never endured agony. or anything ex-
| tremely disagreeable. Upon the whole l
have had an existence comprised OF
| neither the one nor the other and have
been at an intermediate point between
the two poles of all human sensations.
Pray do not think that this story is to be
but a discourse OF my own personality.
Far from thatl But ] was forced to give
| you a few details of M character and
| surroundings. SO you could duly appre-
ciate what is about to follow.
For all that, / could not long delude
myself to the fact that Miss Rose look
| ed upon me with favor and was pleased
! WIN lily GQu1DtC DitStHtt- j az b0tA&
uneasy and overjoyed; disquieted, for l
realized what insuperable barriers sepa-
rated us; delighted, as it is always fat
tering to be honored, as it was ex-
pressed in olden times, by the most beau
tiful girl in society. She had a way of
| moduIating my name; when she said
"Mr. Theodore" a world of yelled senti-
ments could be derived. Inadvertently,
- H. s-6n es,nrfu odfyaccc6 N a5
Theodore. Instantly she saw her error,
stopped abruptly, blushed and was ador-
ably confused. However, on that occa-
sion we did not make any further prog
/ ress.
On nv side / was smitten. famed
as a straw fire in August. ! almost
dared hope for the impossible. Alasi
NV habitual common sense had MUIR
INJURED in vain in my reluctant ear: My
boy. admitting that Miss Rose is fond
Of you, do You clearly understand that
her parents are not only intelligent and
sensible. but are worldly wise as we'll,
and that they would never reconcile
themselves to this miracle and, above
all, to give her, with such a dover, to
n greenhorn like yourself, who is with
out n farthing, homeless and is not even
n duke peer? Do not build upon it, my
boy. and to avoid a scandal, perhaps
some distress, at all events a humliia-
ton and being shown the door, go away,
absent yourself from here for all time.
Lay your heart at the feet Of some un-
prejudiced heggar as poor as yourself,
who will accept 0 as she would ready
money | have now pointed out the wise
course for you to follow
Passionateiy ! reasoned contrary to my
better Judgment, giving a series of use
less arguments. For a vision | saw my
self carrying Miss Rose away on a
stormy night in a four horse travelling
carriage to London 1.-THE horses knew
how to SWIM. where We would await, in
our great happiness. her parents recall,
who had been touched by these manifes-
~tations Of an eqHally undying love. Rea-
son answered me, You have not suifi-
Gent money to pay for the carriage
1t was true enough, for that same even
ing / went on foot, with my trousers
turned up, and. carefully choosing my
steps, to a reception at these same noble
parents house. Ny helpIessness over
whelmed me as soon rs | entered. Com
fronted by the luxury Of their surrounds
ings, by the dazzling lights and iiveried
servants, | felt Insignificant, wretched
and out Of place. Already | was
ashamed OF my presumptuous preten-
sions. ! unused: Il am about the biggest
fool on EARTH" About the biggest, ! said,
so as not to discourage any one.
On that memorable evening It was o
gala occasion. There were numberless
guests. SO many men wearing decorations
|, and the women III long trained, low cui
, evening gowns, that are always so at
tractive, and the orchestra was screened
behind masses OF flowers.
Instantly | scented danger. They wers
not entertaining on this lavish scale for
naught. In a few moments, however
Roses brother, my old comrade, gave M
! the explanation Of all the brilliant dis
f4ay, and the brief Interpretation was nc
any the less disastrous.
{ Good evening"" he said, with a firm
pressure OF the hand.
I How are you? Well2 Thank you,
am also. BY the bye, do you see thai tall
awkward looking fellow, who has lost 81
bis hair7 Yes. Well, he Is going to mar
~ my sister
II the heavens had fallen upon "a
head, as our GaIlic forefathers bal
= uniquely dreaded, / could not hare beel
more stunnsd nor dspfSssed