Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1872-08-22
But the servants will notice it." OBJ
;aotad soypabodp


jected somebody.
"The servants thinks all students are
just alike, and it's easy enough to change
your voice, SO as not to be recognized. If
none of you want to 20, by Jove, Pll 60
myself"
"But you didz't 60 to the reception,
and don't even know the professor" said
sob.
"The Professor isn't in," said Jack, put
ting on his overcoat. "No~, YOU fellows
write your cards, if you haven't any with
you, and I'll take them"
why, Jack : you haven't got any collar
on; those top-boots ~
How many times must tell you, my
child" said Jack patiently, the professor
is not at home p
So he put on his big oyercoat with a
cape and his fur gloves; and Bob settled
his beaver on, after giving bis hair part
ing rumple. lie was just starting, when an
idea occurred to him.
"Let me take two or three hats, so that
| can change them each time"
He stuck them under his cape, and Went
out. The moon was shining brightly as
he crossed the yard. 1t had just risen and
shone through the Gothic windows of the
library, lighting them up so that they
glimmered family across the snow, as if
the high hall were filled with the halo of
the genius that it enshrined. The old
elms stood up moti0nless against the sky,
and the light reflected from the snow-coy-
cred roof flashes through their branches
The snow cracked under bis feet and
the clear, cold air sent thrill of life all
through him as he walked rapidly away
from the square towards the professors
house. Now and then the sound Of bells
would come ont Of the distance, growing
louder,till the sleigh flashed into the light,
and away again. out Of sight and hearing,
He half forgot the object of his walk and
his mind was full of wandering thoughts
He thought of meeting the charming girl
with whom he had Just become acquaint
ed, in his own village in the coming sum-
mer. He thought how happy he should
be if she would favor him, aud let him de-
vote his life to he-. lie thought how
pleasant if she were riding with him now
in one of those sleighs, TO watch the ever
changing forms Of the clouds, as the moon
lighted them up. lie almost thought be
saw her image reckoning to him from a
radiant cloud then he thought of the
warm climes that the moon was even
then shining On, and of the bliss Of wan.
deripg with her in some isle of changeless
summer. 1t came over him how much
time he had wasted idly that he might
have improved, if he had had such an OBJ
ject before him and mighty resolutions
arose within him.
These reflections brought him to the
house and, laughing to himself to think
that he would some time tell her about
this absurd prank, he turned IN at the
gate.
The house was dark; but after a few
vigorous charges Of the bell, the servant
finally unlocked the door and answered
his inquiry with the news that the profess
sor was not ut home.
Jack politely rendered his first card and
walked away lie walked till he reached
n favorable corner. when he took off his
bearer and changed it for a cap, and saun-
tered slowly toward the house again.
Again the servant reported, Not at
home" and another card was left. He
walked back to his base of supplies, left of
bis cap and changed his hat again.
Another card was successfully depos-
tied
Flushed with success, he made ready to
leave the fourth and last card. lie put
on his cap and beaver, gathered Up the
hats, aud rang again.
All was silent.
Another ringing peal.
A step was heard far inside the house.
It came nearer and nearer, and finally the
door was unbolted, Jack was about to
ask the same question as before, when he
saw that the professor himself was before
him. He had lust presence of mind enough
to say " Good evening.
"Good evening, AIr -" said the
professor, not recognizing one of his own
immediate pupils.
Maynard,' said Jack gaspingly, re-
memberiug his collarless condition,
All Mr.. Maynard, | am glad to zee
YOU; my niece and | have Just returned
from the concert, and you will pardon our
rumpled appearance
Jack stepped into the entry. The pro
fessor looked a little astonished AT the fur
gloves on such an occasion, but said moth
ing, and led the way to TIE parlor. A
Young lady was standing with her back
towards them as they entered,
My niece, Miss Hastings, Mr.. May
nard, said the professor.
She looked at him wonderingly, as he
stood there, top-boots, cape, fur gloves, and
all, with very pale face and very rumpled
hair.
The conversation which followed must
have been a striking one Jack ideas
could only be kept together by the most
intense effort, and he constantly contradict,