A Shadow of Bitterness

There is a lot of entertainment and also a great deal of truth in this story. We recommend it highly.


Professor Carbonic was diligently at work in his spacious laboratory, analyzing, mixing and experimenting. He had been employed for more than fifteen years in the same pursuit of happiness, in the same house, same laboratory, and attended by the same servant woman, who in her long period of service had attained the plumpness and respectability of two hundred and ninety pounds.


The electric current lighted up everything in sight!


"Mag Nesia," called the professor. The servant's name was Maggie Nesia—Professor Carbonic had contracted the title to save time, for in fifteen years he had not mounted the heights of greatness; he must work harder and faster as life is short, and eliminate such shameful waste of time as putting the "gie" on Maggie.


"Mag Nesia!" the professor repeated.


The old woman rolled slowly into the room.


"Get rid of these and bring the one the boy brought today."


He handed her a tray containing three dead rats, whose brains had been subjected to analysis.


"Yes, Marse," answered Mag Nesia in a tone like citrate.