The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1904-03-04

N ~ ~eh' ~ "a @S-ss~%S % % SaN .
me dining room of the Heathburn
was scene of solemn mastication.
The elderly ladies ate as though eat
Ing was an important religious rite.
The gentlemen affected suspicious
and sardonic air. The heartburn 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. The
soprano of the feminine small talk was
accompanied by masculine bass
grumble about the scantiness of the
Dill 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. Philander Poorly enter
and graciously took his seat among
the bachelors.
APhilander was the embodiment Of
geHtility. The manner in which he
.gazed over his eyeglasses was emin-
entity ariStocratic. 1t was a revela-
ton of graceful animation to see 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 il culture was
paying him for the representation on
pa commission basis it was losing
business for Philander.
AS he sat over his coffee that even
ing heFsoftly ruminated to himself. 1T
seems(to me-" he refected-"it seems
to me that when a man has upheld So
.ciety as | have upheld it society owes
him something more tangible than an
occasional pleasant smile. 1t seems to
me, further, that l would like little
something on account" He got up
with a brisk and portentous move
ment. "Ill try it tonight" he whis-
pered to himself. only the brave de-
8servetthe fair
1t is an undeniable fact that there
4 is reason for everything in Nature,
kabove quoted proverb that downright
Acowardice has deep and saving grace,
after all.
The parlor Of the Heathburn was
Stately chamber and no one laughed
Mthere with IMMUNITY. The chairs were
stiff. The wall paper was uninviting
and no mere human being could ever
Net upon really intimate terms with
Mtba piano. 1t was here that the en-
4kpently respectable boarders disported
themselves after dinner with the wild
and hilarious abandon OF craven i'm
ages. 1t was here that they bolster
8a,usly gazed at the chandelier or ire
pressibly changed the position OF their
Meet.
Sh! Philander was alone in the par
or with Miss Lavinia Webster, wor'
Inv spinster of certain income and I'M
certain age. Sh! Philander was whis-
9'pering in her ear.
"The man | love must be a gentle
man" said Miss Lavinia
philander's bow was thing of beau
8v HIN modest smile was JOY for
over
.eHe must love me dearly" continued
Miss Lavinia, with deep sigh.
philander's look Of undying devotion
approached apoplexy.
4 "And he must have $50,OO0, WINS
bered Miss Lavinia coyly.
Philander's face fell.
M &C the last essential?" he inquired
4 enderly
Ia 0r> build not love a man who had less
Ethan myself" murmured Miss
/ 4avinia.
| phiIander arose and bowed. He felt
rod at the close proximity OF this
n ooo He had never before found
aisA Layinia so irresistibly charming
8Ie whispered again in her ear ans
! scorAed her grandly to the door
IA sMvt sphere is calling me-" he as
,,red himself upon reaching his room
NV sphere is calling me. can hear
nuite distinctly. Society at present
cons me at arms length. Society IS
Ont I must first prove myself WORTH.
Now Mr. coup d'etat.'
ITO Nut on his hat, bowed to hirself
4be y..;rror with formal gravity and
acked his mincing and elegant way
= Aownstairs to the street.
4 coup detat, it may be noted, is
! -rench and means rough house. The