Page:The Insane Lover.djvu/28

26 T. F.—The crazy fool! Curse him! [Exit ]

Tom Fair.—Jim, if I should fall in this duel—

Jim Bluster.—Nonsense, boss, you can easily run that lunatic through!

T. F—I am not so sure of that! Curse that infernal lunatic! Oh! Jim, I feel a terrible lump in my throat.

J. B.—[Pulls a bottle of whisky from his pocket.] Here, boss, take a nip, it will cure that "terrible lump." Ha! ha! ha!

T. F.—You, cursed drunken fool, can easily laugh, you have nothing to lose by this affair—

J. B.—Oh! yes, boss; if I should lose you, how could I make a living? I have been doing your dirty work for years, for which you paid me freely! [Cries aloud.] Nothing to lose, should you be killed?

T. F.—Do you then feel so badly, when you think of losing me?

J. B.—Yes, boss, [Sighs.] for where should I get whisky, [Brightens up.] unless you will make a will quick, before you die, and make me your heir!

T. F.—That's infernally consoling!

J. B.—What is?

T. F.—Hinting about my dying. Even if I should make a will, as you have proposed, you'd get nothing.

J. B.—Why not, boss?

T. F.—Because I am insolvent! I have far more debts than dollars to liquidate them!

J. B.—How could you run your gay establishment, if you were so poor?

T. F.—On tick, making my creditors and everybody else believe that I still am wealthy! Fools ain't all dead yet!

J. B.—Just so, boss. But here comes Charles Weldon and friend.

Charles Weldon.—Well, coward, I am here at the hour appointed.

T. F.—[Sighing.] I see you are.

C. W.—Are you ready?

T. F.—Yes Sir. [To ] Give me another nip. Now lunatic, come on.

C. W.—All right! [They fight, ''is wounded unto death. Enter and'' ]

Miss J. W.—Great heaven! [Runs to ] What have you done?

C W.—I have kept my promise! I am avenged!

T. F.—Yes, [Groans and rises partly.] you are; but wontwon't [sic] you forgive me?

Hans.—Mine Cot, I yust winch I could shows him de door to dem pad blace!