The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-06-08
A DINNER PARTY,


street To the right and to the left there opened
tempting avenue Of escape He found his
pocket handkerchief and wiped away tho per-
spirntion from his forehead lie put his hand
upon the bell knob and stoppcd to think.
The facade OF this mansion was great cake
OF chocolate set on end. Its fiat monotony WIS
broken by portico at the top OF fourteen steps.
which. broadening descended to the sidewalk
like the terraced waterfall OF n muddy stream.
The cornice OF the portco was supported by
two cylindrical columns Of brown stone, with
bastard Corinthan capitals. Tho windows
were yelled with curtains OF brown lin
en-. Of exactly the shade OF tho stone
front. Tho only bright spot which re-
lieved tho sombro exterior was Immediately
ovor tho door where a hood Of light poured
through plate OF clear glass that borc. in large
gilt figures tho number 10. Above, all was
dark. gloomy forbiddng. Tho eye ran up
from tier to tier Of windows till 1t reached tho
cornice OF the roof. and lost itself among the
stars in the sky.
Casserly shuddcrcd. Tho great -. number
OF ill-omen glarod ut him with intense hostility.
The entire facade OF tho house frowned down
upon him. ms IL II lacked. not the will or power.
but only the energy to descend and crush and
bury him.
A policeman slowly passing cast at him look
OF surly inquiry. Cassery did not STIR. The
policeman passed on. tossing his club and
catching II when It reached tho Tend OF the
leathern tother that attached 1t to his wrist.
For ten or fifteen minutes Casserly stood on
the stoop. leaning against one of the brown
stone pillars Of tho portico. reviewing tho cir
cumstances OF his career OF imposture. He
felt that part OF tho blame belonged TO himself.
part to his environment part to the cursed Law
OF Heredlty He remembered his father. the
nuctioneer. glibly rafting off his professional
stock OF falsehoods. He remembered his mother
the blucstockng. pretcntiously discussing mat
tiers which she did not understand. He saw
himself boy ut school. copying compositions
out Of books and passing them of M his own
He saw himself n man, led from deceit TO fraud
by weak hunger for adulation, building up an
undeserved reputation for learning. recklessly
appropriating the thoughts Of other men, writ
ing scientific articles for the local periodicals.
lecturing before the lyccums in his native state
overshadowng with his plagiarisms and impu-
dent pretensions tho merit of honest schol-
ars, seeking always to satisfy his vanity
with homage TO which he had no
claim. Ho saw himself in New York
at last. continuing on larger scale
the system OF imposture which had succeeded
so well in the provinces Days spent in the
libraries. plllaging the thoughts Of the dead and
absent nights at his desk. arranging the plum
der for sale or display: the fame won by his
stolen essay on the Extinct Pachyderms the
excited controversy started by his stolen paper
on the Triangular Theory OF Light the social
position which he was gaining by virtue OF his
supposed requirements the newspaper notices
which lattercd his vanity while they excoriated
his conscience; the complications OF deceit and
fraud into which he was plunging deeper and
deeper-all these things came up TO confront
and terrify him as he stood at tho door Of the
no 10 tvbf ha I'm haan nvital n n
dinner four Of tho most eminent specialists Of
the agei
slight nolso across the street recalled his
vagrant senses. The policeman stood there
watching him with undisgused interest Dizzy
and sick nj heart Casscrly rang the door bell
and was admitted.
Mrs Walter Hewey arose to meet her guest.
politely concealing her annoyance at his tardi-
ness Everybody had long been there. The
four eminent scientists had yawned in each
others society. while the hostess and her hus-
band were undergoing an agony OF suspense
lest the young man should fail her. He was
the grand plat. the principal dish which she
expected to serve up Mt her entertainment His
entrance set affairs in proper train.
At the announcement ofthe butler the hostess
took the arm OF Professor Calder. Her
husband and Mrs. Professor Hemmng-
shaw led tho way into the dining room
Casserly came next, escortng Mrs. DR.
Thwing. dainty blonde with specta-
ces. Her plump white hand rested proudly on
Casscrys arm. Professor Flamway, q bachelor
and tho greatest entomoogist OF tho western
hemisphere. gave his arm awkwardly TO Mrs
Calder and Professor Hemmingshaw and DR.
Thwng followed with Miss Rideout and Mis-
Croker. two maidens of robust intellect an,
many summers. Mrs. Walter Hewey and Pro
fessor Calder made the rear.
slight mishap occurred at the outset. Pro
fesso Flamway, who found his card with
out difficulty when he had anticipate,
much embarrassment in tho search. wa
30 charmed with his success that he seat
cd himself before the others. Blushinl
to the roots OF his gray hair he jumped al
from his chair, and in doing SO. nearly over
turned Miss Rileout who was directly behin
him. II ,conng from the encounter. he pante
his elbow squarely in the midst Of the win
glasses set at his place There was a shar
eracke OF crystal and an involuntary exclama
hon from Miss Rideout.
IL assure you did not intcnd-it was purcl
occidental" stammerel Professor Flamway, ad
dressing himself to tho butler. who ha
promptly come to the rescue. and who receive
Tho apology with perfect gravity.
The celebrated entomologist modify apple
himself to his oysters. Miss Croker VIII
prided herself ON her wit, spoke in a low tone I
Miss Rideout. who laughed Professor Flamwa
took it for granted that the ladies were derldin
bis embarrassment. and he blushed redde
Than before.
Miss Crookcr was remarking." said Mis-
Rldeout. with a sidslong glance at Casserl
that We are rapidly adding to the list Of L,
llnct Pachyderms."
But. my dear" said Mrs Hewey, are 20
quite sure that the oyster Is pachydern
My impression is that it's u polyp."
Perhaps it is Il pachy dermatous polyp." SUI
gcsted Miss Rideout
Casserly felt that all eyes were turned upr
him. He imagined that DR.. Thwlngs face wo
Rcyncal smile. So he nervously remarked:
Lot us not look too closely into the pedigr
Of such capital oysters MS these. am dlspos,
10 accept them on their merits"
A the dinner went on, the servants passil
noisclessly behind the sayants, exchangil
plates and filling glasses. the ladies flushing
The heat OF the gas jets and under the subtle /
auenco Of the wine and, Prof Famway grad
ally recovering his self-respeet by means
,opious draughts. the conversation becar
stealier and more animated. Cusserly did b