Evening journal., 1899-08-05
That Beard Of ThOmpsOn'S
By Augusta Prescott.


IT WAS just like that terrible O'Toole
to come out in his blundering way
with: Thompson, you'd look grent
deal better without a beard. You have
a clear-cl,t face that ought not to be
hidden"
1 know perfectly well that az that
moment my friend Thompson would
have liked to hideh his face in something
still more opaque than a dark brown,
close-cropped beard. That is because
L know tha history Of Thompson'a
beard.
1t had tWo chapters-or two volumes
that history Of Thompson's beard.
The first volume is brief and devoid of
interest-the beard grew when Thomp-
son was young and had just reached
the age of beard-growing. lie liked the
idea of board, suppose, as most boys
do. Later On, something II perhaps
O'Toole's idea that his face was clear
cut gem and should be exhibited rs a
thing of beauty-struck him, and he
grew impatisnt of his beard.
Now, In the course Of that earlier vol
ume of this history, Thompson had be-
come pretty well known. Not only had
he been photographed for the usual So
cial purposes but, having taken q
prominent part In various amateur con-
certs for prominent charities, having
acted twice az best man at much-report-
ed weddings and having won lawn
tennis championship for amateur
singles, ThompsoA's face had appeared
in the papers more often than falls to
the lot Of most plain citizens. Hence
the mischief.
The day he had that beard removed
Thompson was Ike a boy just freed
from school. A weight seemed 10 be
off his mind. He told me that it wss
quite worth while to grow beard jus,
for the pleasure Of getting rid Of it and
running your hand over the smooth
surface.
He was not the sort Of a man, how
ever, to let the exuberance of his animal
spirits become mingled with those that
inebriate. / haFe to mention this Il
guard against Che impression that he
was in the least under the influence
Of distilled or fermented liquors wher
this thing hapaen that did happen.
Thompson went out calling that very
evening, and il SO happened that the
family at which his call was aimed hac
recently moved In that family wal
Amanda Carson. and she had taker
good care that Mr.. Thompson should b'
informed of their new address-Amnn
/ da had no wish to lose sight Of Mr.
! Thompson Thompson had the address
in his little notebook. which he carrieC
in his vest pocket Of his everyday bust
ness suit. But before going out tina
evening he put on his full dress suit
and, looking at himself in the long mir
ror, reflected that in n dress suit an,
smooth face he looked very well.
On reaching the street into whicl
the Carsons had just moved, he begal
saying to himself: "Yhe number is 81
I think"
Then he thought 1T would be as wei
to take a look at that little notebook o
his. But when he put his hand to tn
place where the notebook should hay
been, behold there was no notebook
Then it flashed on him that his min
had been distracted so much as 70 max
him forget to take the notebook fror
the other vest.
"Never mind" Thompson thought
"I know it's 35." Then he thought; 81
it isn't 80 it's 53." Then: NOW,
wonder whether is 50 or 352"
. While he was thinking these thing
Thompson happened to glance to th
5 right and notice a very newly-done-ul
= looking house, the number en- the fa
light of which was very distinct
no. So"
"Of course that's it" said Thompso
to himself as he tripped lightly up th
flight Of stone steps. This is th
r house. Anybody can see that"
= AT the top of the steps, it 50 hal
q pened, the front door stood inyitingl
e open.
'Now,' thought Thompson, "here's
chance 20 surprise Amanda. III clos
: the door and so and sit down quietly j
d her reception room. IL she comes
Il there presently--she's sure to--she'