The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1901-06-29

|
claim that the use of tobacco In any
form is unwholesome, unclean, selfish
and extravagant, so of course / can
not sanction smoking, even though the
cigars may be of the finest"
| "Oh, see you are one of the adj
vanced thinkers, or reform women,
who are slashing right and left at the
small vices of the sterner sex. You
| wish men to be little less than angels,
lacking physical force and manly in
dependence" he replied holly.
| Il belong to the class who believe
men should be as free from vices as
women, good. pure and true; of the
finest physical development, and brave
enough to resist temptation, no matter
! In what guise it may come" she said
| quietly.
A rather heated argument followed,
in which Mr.. Halliday felt himself de-
| cidedly worsted. To cover his defeat
| he gladly accepted Jacks invitation
| to call on his best girl
That tilt of words was by no means
the last, nor was it the last in which
Mr. Halliday left the battlefield inglo-
riously.. 1t must be confessed his self
appreciation was ofteL hurt. and that
| In thinking over their discussions af-
terward Howard frequently assured
| himself that he barely escaped dis
liking his friends sister. That wo-
men should hold opinions at all
seemed unwomanly to him; and to be
defeated by one was almost unpardon-
able
Yet, aside from this unpleasant
feature, little Doris seemed one Of the
most unselfish and lovable girls he
had ever met He felt sure his stately
mother would approve Of her, and the
thought sent a queer little spasm of
pleasure through his hitherto invul-
nerable heart 1t was just like her to
sacrifice her best dress to give Jack
an outing. He hadn't much faith in
the result, though, and he laughed to
himself as he though Of stylish Jack
In a badly fitting, badly made coat.
His first impulse was to tell Jack in
time to prevent the worse than use
less sacrifice; but that would be be-
traying a secret not intended for his
ears, SO he could only be silent and
await developments.
For the next three or four days Do
ris was scarcely visible, except at meal
time. Jack stormed because she did
not give more time to their guest. 1t
was "just like girls vanity" he said,
ito care more for stitching away on
| an old machine, making finery, than
to care for the comfort and happiness
of two forlorn men" And Howard.
watching the sensitive face flushing
under the unjust accusations, thought
| her the sweetest and loveliest OF 20
men.
At last. one afternoon, as Jack and
| Howard were 'lounging on the porch,
Doris came tripping demurely up the
street, carrying a neat package. Her
eyes shone with a light that fairly daz-
zled Mr.. Halliday, and in a moment
he comprehended her plan. He arose
as she came up, and offered her chair,
but she shook her head playfully, and
passed on into the sitting room. Pres
emily she called Jack.
He got up lazily and went in. How
ard longed to follow, but dared not
| He expected every moment to bear
Jacks voice In angry derision. In
stead that young man soon appeared
with q beaming face, his fine ngure
adorned with a well fitted and beauti-
| fully made coat,
| 81 tell you, Howard, there's nothing
like having the right kind OF women
folks. Mine have trigged me out In
| these handsome new buds, and I'm
happier than the winning captain OF
| football team. l can go home now
| with you. l only refused before be-
cause l hadn't anything fit to veal
| in your warm climate, and l was toe
poor to buy anything. Uncle Walter
| only allows me income enough to bare
Iy squeeze through college, and Doris
teaching scarcely furnishes mother ane
herself with the necessities"
| Jack paused, and Howard, feeling
like a hypocrite, cudgelled his brail
for something to say.
Doris and mother are wonderful
women. anyhow. Doris has knaci
of making the commonest things lool
dainty and artistic. and mother-wh.
mother can easily evolve something
out of nothing. I'm sure now the,
must have pinched themselves awfui
ly to buy these nice things, unles
Doris has sold one of her pretty waite
colors, as she does sometimes. L
must be that, for Doris declares sh
hasn't taken a dollar from the famil
treasury. Its just like her, bless he
generous heart! Anyhow, I'll not wor
~ her asking questions, for l kno'
she's as happy over it as l am. Hav
Q cigar?" extending finely fiayore
one to Mr.. Halliday.
That gentleman declined, almos
rudely.
I've concluded not to smoke an
more. Your sister is right. The use
tobacco makes a man blind and sell
ish."
He was half angry with Jack for az
cepting so unquestioningly the sacrl
fee Doris had made. and he KEEP
thinking how soon Jack might Law
saved money enough to buy his ow
clothes, had he been half as self-deny
ing as his sister. Jack looked at hill
in establishment.
"Will wonders never cease. To thin
of your giving up smoking is a stur
ncr! Next thing you'll sign the tot'
abstinence pledge, and At yourself (
a church deacon. Doris will be d
lighted" he said, between puffs.
Don't tell her; want to tell n
myself. And, Jack. II you were ha
the man you ought to be, you'd ste