Democratic Sentinel, Volume 13, Number 16, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 May 1889 — ACTING ON THE IMPULSE [ARTICLE]

ACTING ON THE IMPULSE

BY JOHN STEPHEN.

Harry Clinton, of New York, prided himself on liis Knickerbocker ancestry and on the elegance of his manners. Owing to family reverses he was not a merchant prince, but the commercial traveler for. a drug firm. It is a noticeable fact that diug clerks and tLo3e connected with the trade are usually nice young men, very precise, and particularly careful as to flress. No doubt the necessity of handling dainty small packages, making up prescriptions with care, and humoring the whims of hypochondriac customers, had a corresponding influence on the mind and manner's, tending to make one finical and fastidious. Harry was something of an exquisite aud considerable of a ladies’ man, though not after the pattern of Henry VIII., who made three of his six wives shorter by a head. He was traveling for the luxurious firm of (Jocoaine & Co., and was always well supplied with funds, and he took for his motto in the affairs of the heart that where one is far from the form that he loves he has but to make love to the form that was near. He would have indignantly repelled the insinuation that he was inconstant. “On the contrary,” he would exclaim, laying his hand on his heart, “it’s the same old Jove—only the objects change.” He had put np at a quiet family hotel on Michigan avenue, 1o which he was recommended by a friend. After a good sleep he emerged from his room and followed a passage that seemed to be divided by a door now open. He was in a jocular mood, and as he hurried forward hummed a merry tune. The sound of his 1 voice brought a rosylooking young girl from one of the rooms, who, with a feather duster in her hand and a silk handkerchief around her head, watched the approaching figure with an air made up of timidity and merriment. Clinton stopped suddenly before her and inwardly exclarmed: “By Jove! though the light is dim, this is the daintiest piece of chambermaid femininity I have yetencouotered. I want to nlake her acquaintance. Shall I commence in a languid, sentimental way, or charge the works with a fusillade of fun and carry tne citadel with a joke?” Acting on the latter impulse, he bade her a cheery good-morning, and wanted to know how such a pretty girl found her way into the hotel. At the word hotel she smiled roguishly. Thus encouraged, he proceeded to pour compliments, and in a mock sentimental voice trolled out that old-time melody: Believe me if all those endearing young charms Which I gaze on bo fondly to-day "Were to cl ange by to-morrow, and fleet in my anrs Like fairy gifts fading away, Thou wouldsc Btiii be adored, as this moment thou art, Let thy loveliness fade as it will, And around the dear ruin each wish of my heart Would entwine itself verdantly still. “It’s really quite refreshing to meet one <xf such a sentimental temper in this practical West,” she remarked, smilingly, with an air of repose and dignified reserve which rather astonished him. “Oh, I’m not from the West. I’m from New York, where the chief end of man is to make himself agreeable to the ladies. I should very much like.to have the pleasure of your acquaintance, and will feel mqoh pained if yon refuse. ” This latter remark was made in a very -deferential tone, as there was something in the appearance of the interesting girl which forbade all approach to familiarity. “Those lines,” she continued, paying no ieed to his request, “aTe some of the prettiest Moore ever wrote, but I am afraid the sentiment in this worldly city •of Chicago would not pass current. Here marrmge is regarded a failure, and when ‘loveliness fades, as it will,’ the faded rose is thrown away for a fresher flower.” “Well, my little philosopher in petticoats, you Beem to hive decided views of your owns” he exclaimed, regarding her with increased admiration. “Yes, most Chicago girls have,” she responded, with a meiry twinkle. At this interesting juncture steps were heard approaching and a voice called: “Lida.” He hurried down stairs and found hynself in what was apparently the side entrance to the hotel, and encountering an elderly lady in the passage, told her to give instructions to “Lida” to “have his room done up immediately, as he had some writing to do. ” The woman stared, opened her mouth, but before she could make reply he was out of the door and on the street. He hurried down town, called on Mr. James Spencer, as old friend of his father, who received him very cordially and invited him to dine and spend the evening at his residence. The loveliness of the chambermaid, whom he had "gazed on so fondly," had -entirely faded from his memory; and meeting some congenial drummers, spent the day in seeing the sights and in inspecting the be'Auty aud loveliness that disports itself after midday on State street. As the hour for keeping his, engagement

approached he letomed to his hotel, made an elaborate finding from the clerk that Mr. Spencer’s residence was in the immediate vicinity, was there punctually at the time appoint ed. The residence was'comfortable, with a certain air of stjjteliness. Mrs. Spencer was a kindly, courteous old lady, and daughter a most charming young l*dv, whom Clinton fell immediately in love with. In fact, her presence had an aweinspiring effect, and for once in his life of gallantry he felt modest and embarrassed. Miss Spiicu was most gracious and endeavored to set him at his ease, but Cupid’s darts were lankling and he could not play the agreeable rattle, which he had done in so many New York drawingrooms, make what effort he might. The girl’s grace and stateliness aweH him, although there was a ce tain something of friendliness in the tones of her well-modulated voice which was not altogether unfamiliar to his ear. When the visit ended he earnestly requested permission to call again, which permission was.graciously granted. He left feeling that he had met his fate. The next morning, taking the Bame passage, he met the pretty chambermaid with tiie silk handkerchief tied around her pretty head. “These women,” he said to himself, “know all the gossip of the neighborhood. I’ll find out from this little minx what sort of a person Miss Spencer is.” Approaching the figure, he assumed a gallant air, and remarking that he was in a musical mood, sang with much expression and feeling: Had I a heart for falsehood framed I ne'er could injure you ; For though your tongue no promise claimed, Your charms would keep me true. She smiled, aud when questioned about Miss Spencer, said she knew the young lady, aud then adroitly asked: “What do you think of her, sir?” “Pretty well for a Western girl; but she is too cold. How, if you were only in her place—and, by the way, I’m sorry yoii are not—l’d propose at once.” The girl blushed, but was fortunately relieved from her embarrassment by the approach of the housekeeper, on whom Clinton, as he hurried away, never bestowed a glance. His second visit to the home of the Spencers was all that cordiality tould make it. Miss Spencer seemed less frigid, and, catching the animated tone of her conversation, he found himself drifting pleasantly into a variety of topics. Of course Miss Speucer was a proficient musician. Her jeweled hands floated daintily over tbe ivory and drew forth a concord of sweet sounds. How he longed to tell her how ardently he adored her, but etiquette and the proprieties of fashionable life forbade such an impetuous proceeding. As she a ose from the piauo she insisted on his sitting down aud singing. “I never sing,” he laughed. “The last time I attempted it was at a church meeting, when the choir stopped aud looked at me in astonishment. Since thea I never sung a note.” “Are you sure that was the last time?” “Yes, positively.” “I know you sing, and will take no denial. Here is a copy of Moore’s melodies; that beautiful song, commencing ‘Believe me, if all those endearing young charms,’ exactly suits your \oice, but perhaps you would prefer that one with the line beg nning, ‘Had I a heait for falsehood f.amed.’ ”

He looked puzzled, and was utterly astonished when, taking a silk handkerchief, she wound it picturesquely around her head, and then Lida, the chambeimaid of the hotel, stood before him. “ ihis is an extraordinary transformation and an extraordinary mystery!” he exclaimed in astonishment. A silvery laugh greeted him and explanations followed. Their house adjoined the rear of the hotel, and in former times was connected with it, but a door had closed the passage, which could be opened from the Spencer residence. Miss Spencer was very fond of painting, and had a studio fitted up in the upper story for her accommodation. It was a whim to wear a silk handkerchief a la Pharaoh’s daughter around her head while at work. Feeling the air close, she had opened tbe door leading to the hotel on the first occasion,- and was much surprised to receive the unexpected visit. “How come it opened the second time?” he queried with a smile. She blushed and made no reply. “The visit was not altogether distasteful, then?" She bowed her head and was silent. The opportunity ha 1 come. She knew his feeling. They sang the song together, each felt that vows were being plighted, and around each heart they would intertwine and render verdant and fresh, like the ivy, the ruin that destroying age would invariably work.