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Show Blasted Hopes. He was leaning up against the . Descret Bank corner, his hands in bis pockets, and from the look on his countenance nn would have been led to believe that he hud not a frioud or, what in worse, a cent in the wide expanse of the universe. Passers Pass-ers by cast him a glance, but that was all, and he was heard to sigh as his eye saw the doors of a saloon swing to and fro, and men emerge therefrom with smiling faces. Still he "loafed," and moved to the shady side when the sun began to get warm. At length a tall, st-riuus-look-ing man, with a pule, thin ture approaohed him, and imid: "My friend, if I am any judge of human nature, you would like a drink." At the mention of the word "drink" he brightened up, and his eyes sparkled ad be imagined himself with a schoomir of lager in his gruBp. "You have read me a though I was an open buok, printed in big letters," be replied. "Ah 1 T knur it " hi n( tl,o ..u ....! solemn countenance, "I have studied human nature too much tu be mis taken, and I feared it was as you say. But it is very wrong. Fight against the demon, who will soon have you, body and soul, if you but yield to him I Drink is a bad thing, and has brought many a bright light to a prematura grave! Good day." And the tall man walked away, and ae his form disappeared from view the loafer hummed, "I want to be an angel." |