The Argosy, Vol. XXIV No. 2 — page 152: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

344 UNCLE BENJAMIN’S PAST. upon him first as a singular phenomenon, then, after some hours had passed by, as a brother in misfortune, another exile from Karth. Every one hastened to show him little attentions as soon as he was able to rise and go into the Hall of Telescopes, where a hammock was slung for him. The dwarf was morosely silent at first, and did not apparently appreciate their kindness. The doctor alone seemed to find grace in his eyes, and he appeared glad to hear his voice. But when he saw that the genial sympathy was real, and not affected— when he understood that his crimes were forgiven, and that he was treated like a friend—he was so overcome at last by so much ‘generosity that one day he gave proof of the fact by bursting into tears. . This proved the signal for a complete change in his manners and conduct. He did not speak any more, but his old expression of morose defiance gave place to one of sadness, of almost gentleness. It was evident that a chord had been touched in that hard heart. | A, Laurie. (TO BE CONTINUED. ) UNCLE BENJAMIN’S PAST. Tells how fate played into lovers’ hands—Mr. Dobley’s flight from fancied peril lands him at the very feet of Nemesis—The good an ill wind blew. 7 = No Larry, don’t try to argue this matter with me. I know what is best for you. Marriage and ruin are synonymous. ‘The prospect is alluring, no doubt; but realization is worse than long contracts and a steadily falling market. What you call ‘love’ is merely a sort of brain fever that perturbs the senses and obscures reason. It lasts only a few months. Marriage cures it. Then you inevitably hate the medicine—your wife.’ _ ‘‘ But, my dear uncle, you and I both know lots of couples who have, for many years, lived happily together.’’ ‘No. They have heroically endured each other. ‘Their supposed happi- ness isa delusion. Matrimony’s martyrs do not always advertise themselves. Do, you suppose a man whose wife’s extravagance has brought him to the verge of bankruptcy is going to proclaim to his creditors his precarious posi- tion? Do you imagine your neighbor, who has perhaps had a nine inch dinner plate cracked on his skull, by the gentle partner of his boson, will come down town and tell you about it ?”’ | | ‘Nelly would neither be extravagant nor crack plates on my skull. You would know that if you were acquainted with her.’’ ‘Why, no, I wouldn’t. How could I be sure of such a thing? Her ap- pearance might encourage a sanguine. person to hope that her inherent capa- city for mischief might not take those particular forms of manifestation, but the finite mind is impotent when it attempts to forecast feminine possibilities, You don’t want to take any such chances.”’ ‘But Ido. I would marry Nellie in the face of every imaginable risk. It would break my heart to give her up.” Eomicboo S) \G S is ak 4 re wh rr