The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-01-16
CHARACTER READING.

More than half of the heartaehes and
soul-searlng sorrows of Americans are
due to shattered illusions. And they
have no one to blame but themselves,
for these dream affairs are usually built
upon the shifting sands of unanalyzed
impressions.
Later, when the deceptive crust of out
ward appearance and circumstances is
broken through, as it inevitably will be
in time-whether by accident or other
wise-then comes the bitter awakening
With its attendant train Of disappoint-
ments and unaVailing regrets.
An apt and what may be called humor-
Ously pathetic illustration of this pre-
vaiirg trait of Americans eliminated
recently in this city. certain actor
known IN professional parlance as a
leading man, has ripened in late years
into full-fedged matinee idol. Jack
may or may not be his name, but it will
serve the present purpose.
Jack is handsome fellow, with
classical features, a, robust, manly fig
ure, and a musical voice, besides being
one of the most Immaculate dressers on
the stage. Naturally half the dear girls
in town are raying about him.
While playing here some two years ago
one of the most ardent admirers on the
orchestra floor was the beautiful daugh-
nerve tingled with the vibrant joy of ro-
mantle notions and lofty ideals Hand
some Jack" looking very demi-god
in evening attire, caught her yearning
young heart on the rebound and held it
fast with all the force of a virginia. af.
lection.
She knew he was married, but that
made no difference. Every available
space in her boudoir was plastered with
nh NH Nxyoi1o
hour was spent in dreaming that some
day he would be free, and then they
might meet and be happy ever after
This pretty romance filled her young
life with a sweet perfume until a short
time since, when Jack came to town
again in a new production. Of course
she went to the matinee again and found
herself quite as much in love as ever.
But alas for her dream! After the mat
inee she started out to do some Christ
mas shopping, and while sauntering leis-
urely down the street che suddenly
caught sight of her adored one just
ahead. He was standing in front of a
show window, gazing with rapt atten-
ton at some object within. With her
heart in her mouth she waited until he
had gone, and then with winged feet she
rushed to the window, for she, too, must
feast her eyes upon what claimed his
But, horror of horrors, what did she
see but a radiant display of dollar night
shirts!
How she got home she doesn't remem-
Der, but the long cherished illusion had
vanished forever, Jacks photographs
have all disappeared from her dainty
boudoir, and the broken fragments of
his image lie UNDECIDED in the garnet of
forgotten things.
dency to hasty and unthinking judg-
ment on the part of Americans is that
impatient spirit of rush and worry which
leads a man to run a block after a
crowded car, when there is another half
a minute behind in which he might find
a comfortable seat. We never take time
to think of ourselves or the consequences
of hasty impulses.
At any rate there is altogether too
much surface impression and too little
analysis in our careless attempts at char
acter reading.