The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1903-01-01

4 z L
to tell you Of the last perfection of the
sort. we have affairs in different
Places and hence railways were in
vented Railways separated us infalli-
bly, from our friends, and so telegraphs
were made that we might communicate
speedily at great distances. Even in
hotels we have lifts to spare us q
climb Of some hundred steps. Now. we
know that life is only a stage to play
the fool upon as long as the part
amuses us. There was one more con-
venience lacking to modern comfort
decent, easy way to quit that stage.
the back stairs to liberty, or, as said
this moment, deaths private door.
This, my two fellow rebels, is supplied
by the Suicide club.
| DO not suppose that you and I are
alone or even exceptional in the highly
reasonable desire that we profess.
large number of our fellow men who
nave grown heartily sick of the per-
romance in which they are expected
10 Join daily and all their lives long
are only kept from flight by one or two
considerations. Some have families who
would be shocked or even blamed If
the matter became public; others have
weakness at heart and recoil from
the circumstances Of death. That is, to
some extent, my own experience. I
cannot put pistol to my head and
oraW the trigger, for something stron-
ger than myself withholds the act, and,
although l loathe life, l have not
strength enough in my body to take
nold OF death and be done with it. For
such as [ and for all who desire to be
out of the coil without posthumous
scandal the Suicide club has been in
augurated. How this has been man.
aged, what is its history or what may
be its ramifications in other lands I am
myself uniformed, and what I know
OF its constitution I am not at liberty
to communicate to you. To this extent.
| however, [ am at your service-if YOU
are truly tired of life, will introduce
you tonight to a meeting, and, if not
| tonight, at least some time within the
week you will be easily relieved of
your eXlstences. 1t is now" consulting
his watch, III O'Clock. By half past at
latest we must leave this place, so that
you have half an hour before you to
consider my proposal. 1t is more serious
than cream TART" he added, with a
smile, land, l suspect, more palatable."
More serious, certainly" returned
Colonel Geraldine, "and, as it is so
much more so, will you allow me five
minutes speech in private with my
friend, Mr.. Godall?"
1T is only fair" answered the young
man. IF you will permit, will re-
tire''
"You will be very obliging," said the
colonel.
AS soon as the two were alone,
'What," said Prince Florizel, sis the
use of this Capitalization, Geraldine? l
see you are Hurried, whereas my mind
is very TRANQUILITY made up. l will see
the end of this
"Your highness," said the colonel,
turning pale. ''let me ask you to consid-
er the Importance of your life not only
to your friends, but to the public inter-.
est. If not tonight said this mailman.
But supposing that tonight some irrep-
arabic disaster were to overtake your
highness' person. What, let me ask
you - what would be my despair and
what the concern and disaster of a
great nation?"
Il will see the end of this" repeated
the prince in his most deliberate tones,
land have the kindness, Colonel Ger
aldine, to remember and respect your
word of honor as gentleman. Under
no circumstances, recoHect, nor without
my special authority are you to betray
the incognito under which l choose to
go abroad. These are my commands,
which l now reiterate And now" he
added, "let me ask you to call for the
bill"
Colonel Geraldine bowed in submis-
sion, but he had very white face as
he summoned the young man of the
cream tarts and issued his directions to
the waiter. The prince preserved his
undisturbed demeanor and described
Palais Royal farce to the young suicide
with great humor and gusto. He avoid
Gu lue COlOuel . dppcduLS lOOhS WILL
out Ostentation and selected another
cheroot with more than usual care. In
deed he was now the only man Of the
party who kept any command over his
nerves.
The bill was discharged, the prince
giving the whole change Of the note to
the astonished waiter, and the three
drove off in four wheeler. They were
not long upon the way before the cab
stopped at the entrance to rather
dark court. Here all descended.
After Geraldine had paid the fare the
young man turned and addressed Prince
Florizel as follows:
1T is still time, Mr.. Godall, to make
good your escape into thraldom, and
for you, too, Major Hammersmith. Re-
fleet well before you take another step,
and if your hearts say no-here are the
crossroads
Lead on, SIR" said the prince. II
am not the man to go back from thing
once said"