The Morris County chronicle., 1908-10-27
A RECIPROCATION /.
3E
The POnderOuS.0ld Person is GiYen
His Own Medicine.

lSSE5@E1E5 !
I've got, you now where you can't
get away, said the ponderous person
With the pendulous cheeks, as he took
the young man with the green cravat
by the arm and playfully pushed him
into chair. you've been lodging
me for month. Don't try to deny
1t, because know you have Now,
want to know what's the matter
with ypu. /" He shook fat forefinger
at the young man and smiled be-
nignantly.
There isn't anything the matter
with me, Mr. Drilby,a replied the
young man, uneasily. ut must be
your imagination"
No imagination about it" said the
ponderous person eYou can't fool
me. You're miffed. You don't like
1t because told you what l thought
of the way you were carrying on. /
gave you a pill of plain talk without
any sugar coating on it. I thought it
would do you good, and you've got
your back up about it. That's what's
the matter with you, young fellow.
Don't deny it, now.
Il won't if you insist on it" said
the young man
That's right, said the ponderous
person. Now, we'll get right down
to business and see where we stand,
and suppose you think 1 ought to
have considered your feelings. That
isn't my way"
"It doesn't seem to be-" said the
young man.
No, sir" said the ponderous per-.
SON. my idea is to do you good.
That's the main object. If your feel
ings get in the way or your dignity or
anything else, can't help that. If
put your conduct before you in such
light as to make you realize how
foolish it is and resolve to do better,
that's all care about l know you'll
live to thank me for it some day, If
you don't now .
You do, eh?" asked the young
man. Would you thank anybody for
insulting you?'
If you call the truth insult and
plain facts-undeniable facts-insult,
would" replied the ponderous per-
son. "I'd call the man my true friend
who told me my faults. I'd thank
him for it,"
All right" said the young man.
"I'll consider that you've done me a
good turn. | was a little sore about
1t, | admit but since it's all for my
own good, I'll stand for it. Now, let
oil Iva
not the only one who lodges you. AS
matter of fact, everybody / know
considers you windy old boy. You
don't need to choke up and get purple
in the face about that, because I'm
telling it to you for your own good.
You seem to have an idea that you
know all that's worth knowing and
that what everybody else knows is
dead wrong. If their habits aren't
the same as yours they're blamed bad
habits. That's what you think"
Why, you impertinent young pup
py!" exclaimed the ponderous person,
rising from his chair.
Sit down and keep cool, said the
young man. "Im talking for your
own good now. I'm your true friend.
If you think bald head and big
paunch give you rights of plain
speech above the rest of us, you're
on That's ALL You eat more than's
good for you and you sleep more
than's good for you and your clothes
don't fit you. I mention these points,
as you have thought fit to criticise my
personal habits and dress. If my
cigarettes are as offensive as the old
ropes you smoke, I'll swear off right
now"
Is that all you have to say?" asked
the ponderous person, breathing hard.
"Not quite replied the young
man. you've got a way of poking
your nose into other peoples private
business that you ought to try to cor
rect, don't know anything you've
done except to hang on to the real
estate your father left you and collect
the interest on your mortgages, be-
sides making a nuisance of yourself
wherever you happen to be, If you'd
Just You aren't going already?"
The ponderous person waddled of
without replying. Chicago News.