The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1904-01-28
An NEERAE SMOKER


why don't you smoke. Josling' ask
ed the host.
Il Will when the clock strikes r."
why at 1917
Il win explain, II you will pc.
me, by telling story: Several years
ago l fell in love with and wooed a
young lady whose father was a crank.
He had number OF fads which he
inflicted mercllessly on others and
number OF antlpathies which he would
not permit others to infilct upon him.
His chief dislike was tobacco in any
form.
Now. from my youth up ! have
been a great smoker. At ten years OF
age bought miniature cigars or ciga.
ritos and smoked them, not because !
thought II fine thing TO do, but be
cause l enjoyed them.
We'll, my devotion TO the young lady
| have referred to met with 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
her to marry me without his consent.
There would be no difficulty in OBJ
tanning II, and he had promised when
she married to settle third of his
property upon her. All we had 10 do
was to humor him until after the settle
ment, which would occur simultaneous
ly with the marriage.
Il passed six months OF torture. !
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 60
to the theater, but as he condemned
theaters and actors did not dare show
my face in playhouse. But the crown
Of deprivatlons was the giving up of
smoking. My fiancee informed me on
the first day of our engagement that to
smoke in her fathers presence would
be like shaking a red rag before a mad
bull. To show her how much I loved
her agreed not TO smoke till after the
wedding. This she commended highly.
and took the first opportunity TO In.
torm her father that / did not smoke.
The time spent without my beloved
cigars was maddening. Nevertheless
RETAINED, and when my wedding day
came was as free from nicotine as a
baby. When / awoke on that mo.
mentous day admit my chief Joy was
not that ] was going TO be married.
though ] loved my fiancee desperately.
but that as soon as the settlements
were made, the marriage ceremony
over and we were driving to the sta.
ton would light a cigar. To this my
bride TO be had assented.
1--WE We're 10 be married at II noon In
presence only OF the family. The eccen.
trio father had a horror OF large wed.
dings and would consent only 10 pri.
waite one. went TO my room at 10
O'Clock TO dress. My toilet was com.
pleted In half an hour, and had moth.
Ing to do till 1870. had bought box
of the best cigars could find, and they
We're on my mantel. took out a mum
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 notY said.
i have an hour here alone. At the
end of that hour the settlements will
be made What risk is there In my
smoking here aloneT bit Off the end
of the cigar, scratched a match and
lighted 1t. Then | threw myself into
the arms OF an easy chair and the arms
of delight at the same time.
II finished the cigar at l1:20 and hur
ricd away. reaching the house in TWEEN.
ty minutes. Ny father-in-law to be
called me into his study to explain
some points 10 be attended TO In the
settlements.
The amount he said, that give
my daughter Is four hundred thou
sand He stopped short and shifted
the air. Who's been smoking in this
room:'
Il was terror stricken, but. control
ling myself, looked sympathetic. He
went about poking his nose here and
there till, coming very near me, he
took up my arm and smelled OF my
sleeve.
Whats this:' lie exclaimed. i
thought you told me you didn't
smoke
Il tried to stammer an explanation
but broke down.
Give my daughter to man who
has the vilest habit known 10 man-not
good enough for beasts. not one OF
whom smokes. Not L.
Il argued that the preparations had
gone TOO far 10 retreat.
1T Is never too late TO retreat from
bad bargain The marriage shall
not take place, or, IL II does, my daugh-
ter shall go 10 you penniiess'
''As soon as my fiancee and her moth
err received the startling news they be.
gan n desperate effort with the Irate
man TO induce him to give way. For
their sakes lie finally agreed 10 do 50
on my promise never again to touch
tobacco in any form. This was finally
amended to extend only one year after
Ills death"
He died q year ago todayr'
''one year ago tomorrow. He was
walking in new building he was
erecting and fell through nm elevator