Jim, a poor young man, was a boarder at old Riddle's. Jim and Rosie, old Riddle's daughter, loved each other and wanted to get married but Rosie's father did not want to hear about it. He hoped to

LOVE DRUG

Jim, a poor young man, was a boarder at old Riddle's. Jim and Rosie, old Riddle's daughter, loved each other and wanted to get married but Rosie's father did not want to hear about it. He hoped tofind a rich husband for his daughter.

Jim had a friend who worked at the chemist's. His name was Pilkins. Pilkins seemed to be a quiet man unable to do anything wrong. One afternoon Jim called at the chemist's. He looked excited, his face was red. He said to Pilkins, "Old Riddle has been angry with me lately though I don't know why.Probably he learned that Rosie and I loved each other. This week he hasn't allowed Rosie to go out with me. He doesn't want me to live in their house any longer. So Rosie and I decided to elope and get married this night. I'll be the happiest man if Rosie doesn't change her mind. One day she saysshe'll do it, the same evening she says she won’t. She lacks courage. I'm at a loss what to do."

Pilkins was attentively listening to every word Jim said. "So we're going to elope this night," Jim went on, "But I'm afraid Rosie will change her mind again. You can help me, Pilkins.

"What do you mean?" Pilkins asked him. "I say, Pilkins, is there a medicine that'll help Rosie keep her courage and love me more? I could give it to her at supper tonight. Then she wouldn't change her mind and we'd get married. Can you give me such medicine?" asked Jim.

Pilkins was shocked to hear the news. He turned white but Jim took no notice of it. He had no idea that Pilkins was secretly in love with Rosie. Without saying a word Pilkins went out into another room and took a powder of morphia. "Rosie will sleep for hours if she takes the powder," he thought to himself.

"Here's the medicine you asked me for," he said giving the powder to Jim. "Put it in Rosie's tea."

Pilkins hoped to set up a chemist's shop of his own and marry Rosie one day. When Jim left he hurried to Mr. Riddle's house.

"Thank you very much," said Mr. Riddle angrily. "So he thinks I'm an old fool. Well, I'll ruin their plan. As soon as he comes near Rosie's room he'll find his death there."

All that night Pilkins waited for the news but no news came. At nine in the morning he ran out and walked towards Mr. Riddle's house. The first man he saw in the street was Jim with a happy smile on his face.

"Why, what are you doing here?" said Pilkins.

"You can congratulate me, Rosie and I got married last night," Jim said.

"Congratulations! But... but what about the medicine..." "Oh, the medicine you gave me?" interrupted him Jim, "Well, at supper last night I looked at Rosie and said to myself, "Rosie loves you dearly. You shouldn't give her the medicine." Then I looked at her father. "If you marry Rosie you'll be connected with her family. It would be good if he loved you," I thought. "And I put the medicine in Mr. Riddle's cup of tea. Thank you for the medicine," said Jim and hurried away.

(After "Love Drug" by 0'Henry)

Дата добавления: 2015-11-04