Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-06-12

MOVeQs Dy a. SplTlb or banter Sa1us T had intended to give you ten cents for your savings bank, but since you seem so cross guess I'll keep it for a good-natured boy I know.'
 An expression of the utmost malevo- lence distorted the features of the imp -an expression beside which his for per appearance was angelic by con- trs@5. In disgust turned to the direc- tory. Finding the address I sought l turned to pick up my hat, which I had laid aside when entered, and depart. My hatwas not there. I turned sharp. ly to the imp. There he stood gazing at me with queer expression of min- gled malice and apprehension. I was thoroughly provoked.
 ''See here," said, sharply. Where Is my hat?"
 "Never saw yer hat," he crooked.
 ''Put back that hat this moment, or I'll shake you out of your clothes" I threatened, hoarse with rage.
 The imp darted away. Turning, ob- served that all the people in the room were eyeing me with evident distrust and disapprovaI. What had occurred to change their pleasant smiles to these lowering glances could not inn agine. Still fuming with rage I stepped to the counter and addressedthe clerk.
 ''I wish you would see that my hat is produced immediately" I said, an- grily. T don't propose to be made a fool of"
 "I never saw your hat" he replied, sharply. What are you talking about?"
 This angered me beyond bounds. Turning half about, so as to face both the clerk and the people in the room who were regarding me so unfavor- ably, I shrieked:
 Evidently this is den of thieves. You can keep the hat, and be d-d to you"
 No sooner had I spoken than was seized by a burly negro-a porter thought from the momentary glance I got at him before shot through the door, across the sidewalk and into the street, after receiving two stupen- dous blows in the face from black fist. As I sailed through the door l caught fragmentaTy glimpse of a grinning imp with red eyes full of malice.
 lay stunned, the blood streaming from my face and an unbearable pain in my left eye. A policeman rushed up. and I heard dinly, as in dream, some body explaining to the officer that I was drunk and ndquarrelsome. Present. ly was bundled into a patrol wagon and taken to station house, where my injuries were examined by surgeon, who announced that the sight in my left eye had been permanently de stroyed and my face otherwise badly disfgured for life. On the following day l was taken before magistrate and after a brief trial, during which sat in daze, was sentenced to 90 days in jail for being drunk and disorder ly." attempted to make some sort of defense, and to enter protest at the injustice, but the blows dealt me by the negro had left me so muddled that I was incoherent, and injured rather than helped my cause.
 The next day my head cleared some what, and during the day came into possession of newspaper. With what horror and amazement you may imag- inc saw displayed in big black type a sensational and horribly false account of my arrest and what purported to be the incidents that led up to it. It stated that had been drunk and fight ing in hotel of doubtful reputation, that the police had been long trying to break up the gang of toughs that frequented the place, and the magis- trate had decided to make an example of me, having caught me red-handed. It gave my full name and ad- dress and occupation, secured from cards and letters found in my pocket. There were plenty of sa- lacious details that never had the slightest foundation in fact, among other things saying that l was regular habitue of the place, and thatI had evil dently had been leading dual life, business man, and in another in- duiging in wild orgies and consorting with the most disreputable characters.
 I had no sooner finished reading the account than telegram was handed me. It was from my employer dis charging me and bitterly representing me for having abused his confidence and cast discredit upon his house. The story had been telegraphed broadcast. While I was rereading the telegram, aghast, another was handed me. It was from my uncle, who upbraided me in unmeasured terms, not only for my disgraceful escapade, but also for my long years of deception, winding up by announcing that was disinher- ited, and that the family wealth would go to my cousin Tom.
 I could not believe the situation. It must be some terrible nightmare. l pinched myself viciously. No, there was no such luck. It was grim reality. In frenzy of terror called for pa per and wrote my sweetheart relating the circumstances, and begging her to withhold judgment until I could see her and tell her all myself. In answer Ireceived cold letter from her father in which he expressed surprise that ] should presume to address his daugh-