Graham guardian., 1904-04-22
IN NVEEREE SMOKER
[original.1

o'clock and cigars were passed. one
Of the guests held his cigar between
his fingers without lighting It.
"Why don't you smoke, Joslin" ask
ed the host
Il will when the clock strikes H."
'Why at 1877"
81 will explain, IL you will permit
me, by telling a story: Several years
ago | fell in love with and wooed u
young lady whose father was crank.
lie had a number of fads which he
Inflicted mercilessly on others and a
number of antipathies which be would
not permit others to infiict upon him.
His chief dislike was tobacco In any
form.
Now, from my youth up l have
been a great smoker. At ten years Of
age l bought miniature cigars or ciga-
ritos and smoked them, not because /
thought it fine thing TO do but be
cause enjoyed them.
well, my devotion TO the young lady
l have referred to met with favor.
able response, and l 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 1t would be impossible for
her to marry me without his consent
There would be no difficulty In OBJ
tanning it, and he had promised when
she married to settle third of his
property upon her. All we had to do
was to humor him until after the settle
ment, which would occur simultaneous
ly with the marriage
'I 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. | enjoyed music which he de-
tested, so / heard none. liked to go
TO the theater, but MS he condemned
theaters and actors did not dare show
my face in playhouse. But the crown
Of deprlvations was the giving up of
smoking. My flancee informed me on
the first day of our engagement that to
smoke in her fathers presence would
be like shaking red rag before a mad
bull To show her how much | loved
her | agreed not to smoke till after the
wedding. This she commended highly,
and took the first opportunity 70 In
form her father that did not smoke.
"The time spent without my beloved
cigars was maddening. Nevertheless
refrained, and when my wedding day
came was as free from nicotine as q
baby When awoke on that mo-
mentous day admit my chief Joy was
not that | was going to be married
though loved my fancee desperately
but that as soon as the settlements
were made. the marriage ceremony
over and we were driving to the sta
tiou would light a cigar. To this my
bride to be had assented.
"We were to be married at IL noon IN
presence only Of the family. The eceen
trio father had horror OF large wed
dings and would consent only TO prf
vate one. went to my room at II
O'Clock to dress. My toilet was com
pletcd in half an hour, and had moth
ing TO do till 11:30. had bought boz
of the best cigars could find, and they
were on my mantel. l took out mum
ber to put in my satchel and momenta
rily held them under my nose.
Gentlemen, the fragrance of thos'
cigars was irresistible, delicate. deli
cious, intoxicating. Why not? said
4 have an hour here alone. At th'
end of that hour the settlements viii
be made. What risk is there in my
smoking here aloneT / bit off the enc
of the cigar, scratched q match anC
lighted it. Then l threw myself int
the arms of an easy chair and the arms
OF delight at the same time.
81 finished the cigar at 11:20 and hur
ried away, reaching the house in twen
ty minutes. My father-in-law to b.
called me into his study to explain
some points to be attended TO in th'
settlements.
1.-THE amount he said that | giv'
my daughter is four hundred thou
sand He stopped short and sniffeC
the air. Who's been smoking in thi
room?
II was terror stricken, but, control
ling myself, | looked sympathetic. HI
went about poking his nose here an'
there till, coming very near me, h
took up my arm and smelled of m,
| sleeve.
"What's thisP he exclaimed.
thought you told me you didn'
smoke
"I tried to stammer an explanation
but broke down.
"Give my daughter to man VIII
has the vilest habit known TO man-no
good enough for beasts, not one o
whom smokes! Not l.
Il argued that the preparations ha'
gone too far TO retreat.
"It is never too late TO retreat from
| bad bargain. The marriage shal
not take place, or, IL 1t does, my daugh
ter shall go to you penniless.'
"As soon as my fiancee and her moth
err received the startling news they be
gan desperate effort with the irat
man 20 induce him TO give way. Fo
their sakes he finally agreed to do >
| on my promise never again to toucl
tobacco in any form. This was finall.
amended to extend only one year nfte
| his death"
"He died year ago today?"
"One year ago tomorrow. He wa
walking in new building he wa
erecting and fell through an elevate
| shaft"