The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1876-04-14
SELECT STORY.
ANDEvERE'S BODY.
BY JOHN HUMPHREY.

nrSt Impression regarding nam, which
were not favorable. He came on horse
back from the neighboring town of B
-, which was at that time the termI-
nus of the railroad. He was tall, gaunt
round -shouldered man, and | recoIlect,
presented ludicrously awk kward appear
ance on horseback. He was very dark,
with long, shaggy black hair, very
overhanging eyebrows, and an immense
beard. His features were large and
coarse, his eyes intensely black and
piercing. His manner was very brusque
scarcely civil--and he soon became
very unpopular with the students.
On April 2, three days after DIR. Fair
fields arrival, ] had occasion to visit B
on business. On my way back to the
college, along the dusty country road, a
voice hailed me.
~ say, Mr.. Willoughby"
] looked up and saw that was pass
ing a hut erected short distance from
as old Diogenes. and that it was this in
dividual who had addressed me.
The man, old Diogenes, as he was
called by the students and the towns
people, for want of knowledge of his
true name, had twenty years before ar
ri, ed at this spot and erected the hut in
which he had ever since lived. His
name, or whence he came, no one knew.
He would answer no questions, and
would encourage no intimacy either
with his affairs or himself. He seemed
a victim of profound melancholy, and
the popular belief was that he had been
disappointed in love, and had for this
reason eschewed the world and its vanit-
les and chosen life of solitude. But
whether this supposition had any found
alton in fact, no one was able to learn,
for old Diogenes quickly resented the
slightest appearance of an attempt TO
penetrate his secret. Certain students Of
the college, myself among the mum Der,
occasionally visited him, and found him
a rarely intellectual man, thoroughly
educated, and wonderfully well inform
ed on all subjects. His personal appear
ance was very prepossessing. He was
tall, very straight and well proportioned,
with fine Grecian features. and clear
olive complexion. His hair and beard
were very thick, and of dark brown
color. His mode of living was not, as
one might have supposed, productive of
slovenly or filthy habits. The interior
of his little cabin was as scrnpulonsly
neat as the college lecture hall. and
himself as neat as any of our profess
ors.
"Good morning, sir; what can I do for
yon?" was my response to old DIognes' =
salutation.
You've got new professor at the
college?" he said.
"Yes"
"He rode past here the other day on
his way from the railaoad station to the
college. He's very peculiar looking
man. His name is-?"
"Dr. Abel Fairfield" replied. "He
is from a Massachusetts, city, and is very
eminent in the profession"
"Dr. Abel Fairfield" replied old Di-
ogenes. "And so he's great physician,
eh? A shining light in the profession?'
"He is, undoubtedly" / answered.
"WeIl, Mr.. Willoughby, 1 want you
to tell this eminent physician that 7 de
sire him to visit me at this place tonight
at 8 O'Clock.
"You wish him to visit you" I ex
claimed involuntarily.
"I wish him to visit me- Why not?'
Tell him that-that Mr.. Vandevere de
sires to see him."
"Mr. Vandevere?"
81 said So" was the reply. "Good day
Mr. Willoughby."
l was too we'll used to the recluse'i
ways TO be offended at this abrupt dis
missal. so bidding him good morning,
proceeded on my way. When near. the
college | met DIR. Fairfield. / gave him
old Diogenss's message. When mem
toned the name of Vandevere he ex
claimed
"Vandeverel Vandevere, did you say
Mr.. Willoughby?"
l fancied that his face turned a shad,
paler. and that his voice trembled.
replied in the Affirmative.
81 never heard the name before in m,
life," he quickly added. "What sort o
a looking person is this Vandevere o.
Diogenes, or whatever the name is?"
l described the recluse's personal ap
pearance.
Really, Mr.. WillouGhby," DR.. Fair
field said with laugh when had fin
ished, 81 am quite curious to see th'
fellow. I'll go to him. But what car
he want Of me?"
al fancy he wishes your professiona
advice, sir, replied. "He suffers from
the heart disease. He has had two yer,
severe attacks, the last of which cam
near ending his life. As he ia awar
that you are very eminent in the profrs
sion, I conjecture that he desires yon
opinion and assistance"
Every likely, very likely" DR.. Fair
field said; I'm see him tonight"
The next morning when all student
were assembled in the lecture room c
the college, the president DIR. D.
arose and said: "Gentlemen, have a
announcement to make. The man whor
you have all known as old Diogenes
dead, and"
"Deadw exclaimed DIR. Fairfield, VIII
sat upon the platform near the presiden
''deadp'
He seemed laboring under great ex
citement.
DIR. D. frowned slightly at this intel
ruption, but replied: "He died of hear
disease, complaint TO which he WI
subject. He was found dead in his hu
at an early hour this morning by one {
the villagers"