Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-01-29
DAILY SHORT STORY
An Inveterate Smoker.
COriginal.l

his fingers without lighting it.
why don't you smoke. JOslin:' ask
ed the host.
Il will when the clock strikes H."
why at 1872"
Il will explain, if you will permit
me, by telling story: Several years
ago l fell in love with and woOed a
young lady whose father was a crank.
He had a number of fads which he
inflicted mercilessly on others and a
number Of antipathies which he would
not permit others 10 inf1ict upon him.
His chief dislike was tobacco in any
form.
Now, from my youth up 1 have
been great smoker. At ten years of
age 1 bought miniature cigars or ciga-
ritos and smoked them, not because
thought it a fine thing TO do, but be-
cause l enjoyed them.
well. my devotion to the young lady
l have referred 10 met with Il favor
able response. and | was accepted. She
gave me TO understand, however, that
she had no fortune except what her
father might give her or leave her in
his will, and it would be impossible for
y
There would be no difficulty i'll Oh
tanning it, and he had promised when
she married TO settle third of his
property upon her All we had to do
was 20 humor him until after the settle
ment which would occur Simultaneous
~ with the marriage.
Il passed six months of torture. l
listened to the old mans stale jokes,
rode out with him in summer under
furS and in winter with not even lap
robe. i enjoyed music which lie de-
tested. 50 l heard none. | liked to go
to the theater. but as he condemned
theaters and actors did not dare show
my face i'll Il playhouse. But the crown
Of deprivatiCns was the giving up of
smoking. My fiancee informed me OH
the first day of our engagement that to
smoke i'll her fathers presence would
he like shaking Il red rag before a mad
bull. To show her how much | loved
her | agreed not 10 smoke till after the
wedding. This she commended highly,
and l took the first opportunity 10 in
form her father that | did not smoke.
The time spent without my beloved
cigars was maddcning Nevertheless l
came L was as free from nicotine as n
baby. When l awoke OH that mo-
mentous day | admit my chief joy was
not that l was going TO be married,
though / loved my fiancee desperately.
but that as soon as the settlements
We're made. the marriage ceremony
over and we were driving TO the sta
ton 1 would light a cigar. To this my
bride to be had assented.
I'VE were to be married at Il noon in
presence only of the family. The eccen-
tric father had Il horror of large we'd
diugS and would consent only 10 q pri-
vate one. l went 10 my room at 10
O'Clock to dress. My toilet was COM
pleted i'll half an hour, and had moth
ing to do till IL 80. l had bought box
of the best cigars | could find. and they
were OH my mantel. | took out Il num-
Der to put in my satchel and mOmenta-
rily held them under my nose.
Gentlemen. the fragrance of those
cigars was irresistible. delicate. deli
cious. intoxicating. Why not?' l said
L have an hour here alone. At the
end of that hour the settlements will
be made. What risk is there in my
of the cigar. scratched a match and
lighted it, Then l threw myself into
the arms of an easy chair and the arms
of delight at the same time.
Il finished the cigar at 11:2O and hur-
ried away. reaching the house in TWEEN
ty minutes. My father-in-law 10 be
called me into his study TO explain
some points 10 be attended 10 in the
settlements.
THE amount he said. that 1 give
my daughter is four hundred thou
sand He stopped short and shifted
the air. Who's been smoking iii this
room
Il was terror stricken. but. control
ling myself. l looked sympathetic. III.
went about poking his nose here and
there till, coming very near me. lac
took up my arm and smeIled of my
sleeve.
Whats this lie exclaimed 4 !
thought you told me you didn't
smoke
Il tried TO stammer an explanation, !
but broke down.
''Give my daughter 10 Il man who
has the vilest habit known To man-not |
Soou F4louSh iDL OtdStS- IlOI one Vi /
whom smokes. Not l.
Il argued that the preparations had |
gone too far Ia retreat.
1t is never too late to retreat from |
4 bad bargain. The marriage shall !
not take place or. if it does. my daugh- |
ter shall go To YOU pennilesS.'
As soon as my fiancee and her moth |
ct received the startling news they be |
gan a desperate effort with the irate /
man 10 induce him TO give way. For /
their Sakes he finally agreed to do so
on my promise never again TO touch |
tobacco in any form. This was finally /
amended 10 extend only one year after
his death"
He died year ago today"
'One year ago tomorrow. He was
walking in a new huihIiur he was