Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1875-12-22
NEVER TRUST To APPEARANCES

week or two OF holiday, during mid
summer, in the pleasant borough OF
Princeton. 1t was while Nassau Hall
was In session, and my friend, our
worthy District Attorney, was under.
going his course of sprouts" to fit
himself for tho various places he has
since so ably and honorably filled. A
series of lectures had just commenced.
Among the lecturers were Professor
Henry, (now of the Smithsonian Insti-
tute,) Professor Torrey, (since deceas-
cd, , and several other bright luminar-
les whose names need mot mention
here in what | have to cay about
TRUSTING TO Appearances To
atten Athese lectures my friend S. gave
me cordial invitation, kindly prom
iaing me chair by his side, provided
] would be punctual in attendance.
accepted the invitation; and every
lecture-morning, at the sound of the
college bell, ] mounted the we'll worn
steps which led to the lecture-hall,
and was promptly seated Mt least five
minutes before the lecturer for the
day made his appearance.
took epte-breakfast walks in those
days, and one beautiful morning / was
on long stroll in what Mrs. Parting
t0A called the ''rhubarbsr of the town.
In one of the large truck gardens be-
longing to fine brick mansion / OBJ
served man, apparently beyond the
middle-age, poor in appearance, (phy 81
cally as well as gramentical2y,) gather
ing roots and herbs. doubtless
thought. for matutinal meal. Poor
old man. Homeless, perhaps! Ger
tainly trespassing in some ones
"kitchen garding"-foraging among
the radish and lettuce beds for mis-
cradle breakfast. 81 wonder ii you
have any bread to make up your
Graham-ite meal And must yon
push down that miserable stuff with
simple aqua Tnr0y"
As these thoughts of pity and SYM
pathy ran through my mind, the old
man approached near enough for me
to note his appearance mora particu-
larly. His old straw hat, his we'll
worn alpaca coat, his common brown
linen trowsers, and his low shoes-all
put together would be dear, thought,
ct five dollars for the lot! put my
hand In my pocket with the intention
of bestowing upon him enough to get
him q loaf of bread at least. But 40
he came nearer and nearer, cav
something in his face which forbade
mo to offer the pittance-someth
which said j would hurt his feelings
that his poverty was too sacred to DO
noticed by stranger. So ! tnrned
away without a word, resumed my
homeward walk, and in dino time sat
down to my own breakfast, with many
thoughts about the poor old man and
his
My breakfast over, ] wendell my
way 10 tho Campus and aanntered
under the fine old elms which shade
Nassau Hall until the bell rang for lec-
ture, when in few minutes was In
my appointed chair in lecture-hnll,
beside my friend $.
"What do VIC have this morning p
Botany briefly answered ",hc
gentle Sheppard"
"Who?"
Professor TT said my friend.
ssIs be g0od?'
"Goodl' echoed he. "Wait until
you hear him, and you will not ask
that question again"
just then the private door leading
to the lecturers desk opened, and in
walked my old acquaintance of the
morning-straw hat, alpaca coat. linen
trowsers, low shoes, onions, leeks
radishes, lettuce, and all! 1 certainly
was "aabbergasted; !" and while the
poor man." was arranging his illus.
trations for his lecture on Botany,
had Just time enough to ask a ques
ton or two of my friend:
Who did you say was to lecture 2
Professor T"
SIS that---ah.--T
"Yee."
"Does he live little out of the to WI
-finc brick house, with very large
garden, truck patch, and so on?'
"He does. 1t 10 one Of the fines
properties about here
"Does he own it p
Eyes, and much more beside il
Why do you ask all this ?"
"Why, I-I-came very near hand
ing him twenty-five cents this morn
ing, with the command that he SHOULD
60 and purchase Christian break
fastl'
"Ah, ] see! see! You have beer
Judging from appearances H-s-h
1 He 10 about to commence. You will
regret it should you lose singlt
word!"
"Nor did /. What q plain. lucid
and intelligent lecture that was
Radjshes, salads, and onions even, havl
been TO me q sweeter morsel.-to tn,
mind, ~ we'll a. to troll under thu
Itonguev-t0 this day. Aud since thai
time I have been very careful abou
coming to conclusion froms appear