LOVED IN VAIN.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4553, 23 October 1875, Page 1 (Supplement)

LOVED IN VAIN.

“ Martha Jack, I’m sorry to see you here,” said his Honor to the next prisoner, a tall woman with sad eyes. “ I wish I hadn’t come,” she sobbed. “Well, I suppose you couldn’t help yourself, Martha, but please don’t look so sad and melancholy. Right now, when every woman is making currant jelly and raspberry jam, you ought to smile like a cow iu a cornfield.” “ Don’t abuse !” she wailed as she wiped her eyes. “ I won't, Martha; I wouldn’t abuse my own grandmother. On the contrary, I ask you to cheer up. There's light ahead, Martha,” “There’s no light for me !’’ she said, as she carefully wiped her nose. “It may be that you have loved in vain ?” he inquired. “Yes, sir—that’s it sir.” “Well, I can’t'blame you then for throwing a dead cat over into your neighbor s garden and raising a row. X have loved and loved in vain. I loved a fat woman once. Ah ! she was beautiful—she was gorgeous—she was worth two yoke of oxen, and the best corn-sheller iu Medina county. My love was iu vain. She turned away from me as the polar bear turns away from a drifting barrel full of dollar-store diamonds and wishes they were veal cutlets. It was years and years ago, Martha, but even when I think of it now I feel as it I could tear a three-storey house down and pick my teeth with the splinters.” She sobbed aloud. “Go home, Martha,” ho said huskily, “go home and put the Monday washing to soak and be prepared to enter upon the arduous duties of the coming week. Don’t be reckless any more—don’t throw any more cats around—remember that other hearts suffer with yours.” —Detroit Free Press.