New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-03-19
CIIEEDLE'S PAST.

of his sinful bachelor self which frightens him
The other day / tried to him. quite un
successfully
My dear Cheedle" said. you have nothing
whatever to reproach yourself with"
All if / could only believe that" he sgheC
out. But you know well do what sor
Of life used to lead"
"Cloistral" said /.
"Hellishr said he 1T was a devil Of a fel
low"
"Why. used 20 call you the saint" said
"Of course" said he, frownng. its very
friendly of you to talk that kind Of rot"
But we did" protested.
"Oh. in irony. you mean
NO; in all sincerity or course. didn'
let you know. We thought it might offend
you"
No. my dear Wroughtnight." said he. '1e
me give you a word in season."
Thanks. But-as the servant girls say
never accept valuable presents from gentle
men"
This young mans craving after an evil repu
tation IS unhealthy in the extreme. fouH re
pent Of it some day"
was justly irritated 1T seems to me-" sai(
l. that it is you who is doing the craving"
you know you were a perfect Puritan"
81 don't deceive myself. old man
"You kept your misdeeds pretty dark, any
how Nobody ever found you out in anything
worse than a box at Melochrino's. or a Sunday
at Brighton OF course. you sometimes lef
actresses photographs lying about: but We
knew where you bought 'em "
Does any man ever buy actresses photo
graphs?"
"WeI, you were rather a cub then" I admit
ted.
This is very painful discussion" said he
"Oh, don't apologize murmured
He sighed "Old man. Ia like to see you civ,
up that sort Of THU g."
(Which sort IF thing?"
you know. The sort Of thing / used to Sc
in for"
"You mean cigarettes and the National Sun
day Leasue?"
He sighed again. 1t was a diplomatic eva
sion. Marriage" said he sententously, open:
a mans eyes. He sees things in new light
He realizes how wrong certain things are tha
he once delighted in. 70 have a tender trusting
woman committed to his daily care"-
"Oh, l say l exclaimed
you don't understand" said he. "You have
no responsibilities"
Il have friends" said l.
II don't mind you saying that II you think II
smart" he replied with an unconscionabe all
Of long-suffering.
Look here. Cheedle don't be an asst"
shouted
"Iou remember Ralaam's ass, Phn?"
NO. l think he must have been before my
time"
In spite Of himself. he laughed. At once the
conversation became rational He was taking
me home to dinner Within sight Of the house
he said
am SO glad you get on well with my wife
fhil II the subject Of my-my Past should
ever croI up be true friend. won't you?"
promised And few days later redeemed
NY promise amply. | met Mrs Cheedc In Tie
C"u'"y ana she pincd for tea. It is not my
'"u' II NfS Chccdle thinks that tea in a Pic
cadIIy SHOP Is rath.r dssratcd
i am going to scold you Mr. Wroughtnicht'
She sad for your good. | think you are lead
lng Il very useless life"
1T is useful to me- replied meeklv 'In
fact don't quite see how | could get on with
out it,"
GU waste so much Of your time"
AS une is not Of value to n that is not a
great eXtravagance"
You Keep bad hours"
(which are the bad hours. Mrs. Chccdlc?"
AS If knew" she cried. "Yor ,Inoke great
Gcd, too"
Fl confess it,"
you 20 to music halls"