The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-02-07
ny GEORGE AIDE.

A hanson cab rolled by. the horse
steaming and the driver crouched in
side great rubber coat. Only one
light could he seen in the big, water
soaked building opposite and that was
in a first floor office where late en-
ployee was doubled over a ledger.
one or two pedestrians sloshed along,
hracing their umbrellas against the cold
wind. The lightning dentist turned up
his coat collar and shivered with SYM
pathy. 4 stronger gust Of wind blew
the raindrops against his face and he
retreated
He saw Doc Horne, the actor and
the lush seated in dropping silence
near the steam heater. They had moved
their chairs toward the radiator as II
to deceive themselves, but they knew
the radiator was the coolest thing in
the room. Doc II 5rne had been at
tempting to read an evening paper.
Even the paper was moist, for 1t did
not crackle when he folded 1t and gave
1t a Disguised fling.
Bad night" observed the dentist,
gloomlly rubbing his hands.
Miserable, miserable said Doc
Horne
"It's cold in this office tonight said
the dentist. 81 wish l knew where to
go or what to do"
1--WE might go into the bar and see
Steve" said the lush, hopefully.
This suggestion was received in
silence
"Or," continued the lush, 1--WE might
GO up to my room and send down for
something to drink. Come on: 1t will
be more comfortable up there
The invitation was accepted without
t1,g ri Mt
upstairs the lush sent the bellboy for
a bottle of whiskey and large SIZED
reservoir Of settler.
Whenever the lush had visitors he
always made these preparations for en-
tertaning them, no matter whether
they drank or not. Doc Horne was
n total ahstainer. The actor was a
cautious drinker who when dragged to
the bar usually compromised on sweet
Catawba wine or a small glass of beer
Even the lightning dentist, although he
told stories Of fabulous expenditures
for wine while visiting in Cincinnati
seldom took more than one drink an
evening.
Nevertheless the lush put the
whiskey, THE settler, the ice and the
glasses on the table in his room and
confidently invited his friends to drink
hearty" The lightning dentist took his
one drink. although he nearly choked
in the effort. and the others mildly
protested and asked to he excused
The lush expressed himself as dis
appointed at their failure TO be good
fellows" and drank two magnificent
highballs in order to rebuke them.
Then he sat on the bed and at intervals
thereafter he would point at the bottles
on the table and look inquiringly at
his guests. who never failed TO shake
their heads.
The conversation had gone the range
of commonplaces. mostly in regard to
the weather. and then 1t turned upon
the fact that a European hotel on
wet and chilly night is not the most
cheerful place in the world.
Here we are, gentlemen. four Of
us" said Doc Horne. "All of us have
reached the age at which men should
marry-perhaps all have passed the age
at which it is advisable TO choose
helpmate."
That's a fact, Doc" said the lush,
reaching for the settler.
"Of course, matrimony is a lottery.
Perhaps we are better off than If we
had Joined the BenedIcks, but on a
l were seated before my own CRATE
fire in my own library, with my own
children around me- I would be happier
than I am here" Doc made reassur-
ing gesture and continued: II don't
mean to reflect on the hospitality Of
our friend here or intimate that | am
not satisfied with the present company,
but"
Certainly. we understand" said the
actor.
"If we were no own up. gentlemen, I
suppose every man jack Of us came
very near being married at some time
or other"
The lush softly prepared another
highball.
Doctor, I consider il quite remark
able that you never married" said the
actor.
Maybe he couldn't find a woman
good enough for him" suggested the
dentist
IT have met thousands who were too
good for any man who ever lived re-
piled Doc, with considerable warmth
"The problem in matrimony is not to
find a good woman. The problem is to
find woman who will he sufficiently
patient and charitable to bear with the
represented here this evening"
1.-The ladies'" said the lush, arisin g
from the bed and holding out the glass
as If to offer a toast.
"St down." commanded the dentist
1T is largely a question of com
patibility," continued Doc Harmless
compound No. Harmless compound
No. 2. You put them together and the
result is an explosive. Poison No,
added to poison No gives a harmless
neutral. Two beautiful colors-put
them together and you have discord
Matrimony is often a plunge in the
dark. The man never knows whether
he will land on a bed Of roses or in a
nest of thorns.
That is, he doesn't know unless he
has knowledge of women based on the
study of many marriages and the re-
sulting experiences. Now | know jus;
what kind of a wife I ought to have
but 1t has required many years Of study
for me to find it out. | know you gen.
tlemen fairly well. | know the kind OF
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