Kansas University Weekly.
39
environments is developed that one is entirely master of himself."
Enter maid: "A note from the modiste, Miss Smythe."
Miss Minerva reads the note and throws it down emphatically.
"What!—impossible to finish my gown for this afternoon! Why, I cannot appear at the Hegelian Society. Wretch! I shall never employ her again."
As maid goes out, in rushes Miss Aspasia Jones, her face drawn with suppressed emotion.
Minerva: "My dear Aspasia, what has happened?"
Aspasia: "Rejected! Rejected! I have proposed to Freddie Youngboy, and oh—it is all off! Why? Because his mama objects to early alliances."
Minerva: My dear girl, do not feel so badly. It may turn out better. Do not be disheartened, you know our dear Browning says:
'Sorrow is vain and despondency sinful.'
I am afraid you have made the wrong move, old girl. Tell me your plays."
Aspasia: "Oh Minerva; I have done everything, from flowers and bon-bons to drives in the park and dinners at Delimonico's. Repudiated! I fear it is entirely his mama who has caused the change. I do not believe Freddie could be so cruel. Dear thing, he looked so pale and sad when he told me. See, I have a last memento—one of my own roses, which he he had in his button-hole." [Kisses it.]
Minerva: "Do not be too depressed. I am going to take Willie DeWinters and his papa to Mrs. Clements-Kinds theatre party this evening. You know Willie and Freddie are such dear friends. I will talk to Willie and do all I can for you. But only think, Aspasia, I was to read a paper on 'Subjective Freedom' at the Hegelian Society this afternoon, and that dreadful Madame DeCleve has not finished my gown. How can I read my paper unless the severe simplicity of my attire carries out my ideas. Impossible! Just fancy reading an article on 'Subjectivism' in anything but a gray."
Aspasia: "You shall have your gown Minerva. Madame is furnishing mine for this evening. All her 'hands' are working on it; but now that Freddie has rejected me, what do I care?" [Tears.]
Minerva: "Oh thanks awfully, Aspasia. I shall have my dress after all; and I promise you I will give Freddie's mama a good talk on the ethics of love this afternoon. That will influence her I am sure. Ethics is her 'long suit,' you know. So cheer up, Aspasia. All will come out well. Don't you remember Leibnitz says that the good needs a foil in order to come out distinctly and to be felt in all its excellence?"
Aspasia and Minerva clasp hands. Curtain. A.R.
Mr. Townsend's Grievance.
Mr. Townsend was in no enviable frame of mind. His only child was seriously ill, his wife was frantic with anxiety, and in consequence (of it all,) he, Robert Townsend, President of Plainville National Bank, and partner in the mercantile firm of Townsend and Sawyer, was compelled to stay at home idling away his time at the busiest season of the year. It would take money out of his pocket, this enforced idleness; it was exceedingly inconsiderate of the child to fall ill at such a time. There was his partner, Mr. Sawyer, fairly rolling in wealth; his children didn't catch the scarlet fever; his wife didn't go sniffling around, her hair disheveled, and eyes red from weeping.
The doctor interruped his gloomy meditations.
"The baby is dying" he said "I can do no more," and he slipped softly out of the room. Mr. Townsend followed him out into the hall.
“Are you going down town, doctor?” he asked.
"Yes," replied the doctor in some surprise.
"Will you order the coffin for me?"
"Certainly, I shall be glad to do anything for you."
“Then wait a moment."
Mr. Townsend ran up stairs, found a tape measure and approached the cradle where the