The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1903-10-10
I THE PAINFUL PLAN
J pHNANDER POORLY.
A Little Episode Of Love and
Business.


The dining room Of the Heathburn
! was a scene of solemn masticatlon.
The elderly ladies ate as though eat
ing was an important religious rite.
| The gentlemen affected a suspicious
and sardonic air. The Heathburn was
an eminently respectable boarding
bouse and at times the strain seemed
to tell upon the place. Melancholy
| walters filed in and out from the kit
chen earring heavily laden trays. Inc
soprano of the feminine small talk was
accompanied by q masculine pass
! grumble about the scantiness of the
bill Of fare. The proprietor stalked up
and down the room, oppressively stern,
psychologically attempting to hold his
boarders' appetites in check. Suddenly
an important little cough was heard at
the doorway Fhilander Poorly enter
ed with a mincing and elegant gait
and graciously took his seat among
the bachelors.
Philander was the embodiment OF
gentility. The manner in which ne
gazed over his eyeglasses was emln-
emily aristocratic. It was q revela-
tion of graceful animation to sse him
shoot his cuffs. He greatly prided
himself upon the way in which he i'm
pressed small boys and walters. Phil
ander fondly imagined that he repre-
sented culture, but close observer
might have noticed that If culture was
paying him for the representation on
q commission basis it was q losing
business for Philanier.
AS he sat over his coffee that even
ing he softly ruminated to himself. 1T
seems to me-" he refected-it seems
to me that when a man has upheld So
ciety as l have upheld it society owes
him something more tangible than an
occasional pleasant smile. 1t seems to
me, further, that l would like a little
something on account" He got up
with a brisk and portentous move
ment. I'll try it tonight" he whis-
pered to himself. "Only the brave de-
serve the fair"
1t is an undeniable fact that there
is a reason for everything in Nature.
and it would often seem from the
above quoted proverb that downright
cowardice has a deep and saving grace.
after all.
The parlor Of the Heathburn was a
stately chamber and no one laughed
there with impunity. The chairs were
stiff. The wall paper was uninviting
and no mere human being could ever
get upon really intimate terms with
the piano. It was here that the en-
inently respectable boarders disported
themselves after dinner with the wild
and hilarious abandon Of craven i'm
ages. It was here that they bolster
ously gazed at the chandelier or ire
pressibly changed the position OF their
feet.
Sh! Pbilander was alone in the par
lor with Miss Lavinia Webster, wor-
thy spinster Of certain income and un-
certain age. Sh! Philander was whis-
pering in her ear.
"The man l love must be a gentle
man." said Miss Lavinia.
Philander's bow was thing of beau
ty. His modest smile was a Joy for
ever.
HE must love me dearly" continued
Miss Lavinia, with a deep sigh.
Philander's look Of undying devotion
approached apoplexy.
And he must have $4,000. whis-
pered Miss Lavinia coyly.
Philander's face fell.
..Is the last eesential?" he inquired
tenderly. ],
II could not love q man who had less
money than myself" murmured Miss
L@vinia-
fhilander arose and bowed. He felt
awed at the close proximity Of this
$4,000. He had never before found
Miss Lavinia 50 irresistibly charming.
He whispered again In her ear and
escorted her grandly to the door.
my sphere is calling me-" he as
sured himself upon reaching his room.
my sphere is calling me. can hear
It quite distinctly. Society at present
keeps me at arms length. Society is
right. must first prove myself worthy
Now, for coup detail"
He put on his hat, bowed to himself
in the mirror with formal gravity and
picked his mincing and elegant way
downstairs to the street.
\ Coup d'etAt It may b noted. Il
2hnnnh and mnanaa = rou3A hoaaA Thl