The Forrest City times., 1899-06-09
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 a great deal better without beard. You have . clear-cut face that ought not to be hidden"
 I know perfectly we'll that at that moment my friend Thompson would have liked to hide his face in something still more opaque than a dark brown, close-cropped beard. That is because l know the history of Thompson's beard.
 It 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. He liked the idea of a beard, suppose, as most boys do. Later on, something = perhaps O'Toole's idea that his face was a clear cut gem and should be exhibited as a thing of beauty-struck him, and he grew impatient 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 prominent part in various amateur con- eerts for prominent charities, having acted twice as best man at much-report- ed weddings, and having won lawn tennis championship for amateur singles, Thompson'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 like boy just freed from school. A weight seemed to be of his mind. He told me that it was quite worth while to grow beard just for the pleasure of getting rid of it and running your hand over the smooth surface.
 He was not the sort of man, how ever, to let the exuberance of his animal spirits become mingled with those that hebriate. l have to mention this to guard against the impression that he was in the least under the influence Of distilled or fermented liquors when this thing happened that did happen.
 Thompson went out calling that very evening, and it so happened that the family at which his call was aimed had recently moved. In that family was Amanda Carson, and she had taken good care that Mir. Thompson should be informed of their new address-Aman- da had no wish to lose sight of MT. Thompson. Thompson had the address in his little notebook, which he carried In his vest pocket of his everyday busi- ness suit. But before going out that evening he put on his full dress suit, and, looking at himself in the long mir TOT, reflected that in dress suit and smooth face he looked very well.
 on reaching the street into which the Carsons had just moved, he began saying to himself: "Ihe number is 35, l think"
 Then he thought it would be as we'll 10 take a look at that little notebook of ms. But when he put his hand to the piace where the notebook should have oesn, behold there was no notebook. Then it flashed on him that his mind had been distracted so much as to make nm forget to take the notebook from the other vest.
 Never mind," Thompson thought. know it's 35." Then he thought: If isn't 35 it's 53." Then: Now, I wonder whether it is 53 or 35 ?"
 While he was thinking these things thompson happened to glance to the ,ignt and notice very newly-done-up- looking house, the number on the fan . mght of which was very distinctly "No. 35."
 of course that's it," said Thompson so himself as he tripped lightly up the nlght of stone steps. "This is the mouse. Anybody can see that"
 AL the top of the steps, it so hap Pehed, the front door stood invitingly open.
 Now," thought Thompson, There's a .nanee to surprise Amanda. I'll close .ne door and go and sit down quietly in -er reception room. If she comes in