The Nevada County picayune. (Prescott, Ark.) 190?-current, 1906-06-12
FATE OF THE
MALCONTENTS.
Fate opened shop in great city

Naturally the shop was stormed by
persons who sought to have the trend
of their lives changed The remark
ably small price-nothing-drew a
catholic horde of patrons. The first to
gain an audience with Fate was a Wom-
an of Fashion, with sables hanging from
her shoulders and her golden hair glis-
tening with jeweled pins.
Alas, am so miserable. am stited
with luxury and riches. | want some
thing else. | want simplicity again.
want the capacity for enjoyment. I
have lost my palate for appreciation.
Help me-
What would you have me do? Whom
would you like to be-"
The Woman of Fashion smiled at her
inspiration.
Il would be the wife of subway
guard, a dear, little contented body who
lives on duty and bargain matinees, who
cheerily goes about her work That Is
my idea of happiness"
so be it. But mind, you must live
in this way for one entire year"
A creature, scarcely less gorgeous but
with an air of unaccustomed prosperity,
appeared now She was the most feted
show girl in town However, she COM
planned: "Mine is a tantalizing posi-
ton | have everything In the world
Jewels, automobiles, furs and adorers By
the hundred am like the man who
yearned for yacht and, when he gained
Il, all the seas and rivers and lakes dried
up. Have pity on me. | crave posi-
ton In society want to go to state din
ners and dine off gold plate amid the
fashionables Give me prestige" Again
Fate was obliging and whispered her
warning about the one years time.
The next in line was the notion-coun-
girl, who, following the preeepts of her
enterprising shop had come early to
avoid the rush" She was underfed and
overdressed A glaring purple plume
swayed fitfully above her left eye.
Il am so tired of this hard work and
long hours" said she wistfully 81 want
something better
Choose for yourself" said Fate be-
nignly you have great variety for
oh" cried the girl, make me a
duchess with a grand castle and royal
robes and a coronet on my head. morn
ing, noon and night! | want to have Il
great big coat of arms and some little
spaniel dogs. "
The metamorphosis was almost in
Simultaneous.
Fate then turned to beautiful young
woman, known as the belle of her set.
She was the epitome of loveliness, grace
and dignity. Yet she was disfgured by
an unhappy pout-
What bore this all is-this adula-
ton" she began. Il am sorry am so
beautiful, and that the world can see
nothing else in me. Believe me, burn
with an ambition for better things.
would far rather be great singer whose
voice sways the world Oh, let me sing
| magnihcently, Elsa, Brunnhilde, Ortrud
| and that sort of thing,
Scarcely had the embryo diva gone her
way exulting than fifth woman ap-
peared. She was different Her low.
heeled boots and straight, dark hair; her
unpowdered nose, her temperate figure
all proclaimed girl of balance
II don't know why | come, she said.
Il am quite happy except"
Except? Pray continue, my dear
young woman" urged Fate. What is
there you want especially"
The everlasting love of a man" re.
piled the sensible girl.
What sort of a man IS that?" asked
Fate
"A man." continued the girl quietly,
who scolds me when err, who soothes
me when | am enraged, who comforts
me when | am sorrowful, who does not
bore me with meaningless caresses, who
does not dazzle me with his brilliancy,
yet stimulates me by his solid sense.
ask for neither handsome man nor a
man whose ugliness shocks me. This Is
great deal TO request; but let worldly
things pass. want this man"
Fate was perpleXed, but answered:
so be IT,"
The year passed and when Fate re-
turned again her door was besieged by
the same impatient malcontents. The
woman of fashion begged for her old
condition. She said corned beef and
cabbage had ruined her digestion and
that folding beds were impossible. The
show girl cried out against the inteler-
able dizziness of state dinners and the
tedious conversation of the fashionables
The duchess, formerly the notion coun-
ter girl, bewailed the rigors of court life
and the dubious devotion of a dissolute
duke. The beautiful girl said rehearsals
for an opera were more wearing than
debutante teas and that practicipg
daily got on her nerves."
The NTH applicant alone had not re-
turned. Town Topics.