Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-10-09
THE PROFESSOR.
BY S. D.
Courier Journal

'SMiss O'Brien will read the next
stanza?7 SAID Prof. Ingram, in cold,
dignifed tones, as he looked up from
the battle-scarred copy Of Horace that
Law on his desk and fastened his dark
eyes on Elise.
Excuse me, Professor, but [ know
the translation made of that passage
is not correct, and would rather not
read ii. Although [ tried very hard,
I have cot been able to get at the
poets exact meaning"
II did not ask you to express your
opinion of the translation you had
made, Miss O'Bcien, utrequested you
TO read it, and the shadows grew
darker on his face.
Really, Professor, I can not read
it. persisted the fair girl.
''Well, try!"
Elise recognized the accents of COM
mand in what he said, and it never
occurred to her TO disobey him or to
resist further. No one who had ever
been in his class would have parleycd
with him when he looked and spoke
in thai way. So she snatched up her
book and hastily read the verse he had
called upon her to translate.
Her effort was greeted with litter
of laughter all around the class, 1t
was not often that the members Of
Prof. Migrants class cast aside the
dignity be coming the situation when
they we're in his recitation room, but
this was more than they were prepar-
ed for. Even the professor could not
RESTRAIN the smile that crept over ms
dark, handsome face as he heard his
pupil S version of the venerable Latin
language. Elise feigned to laugh a
little, too
L suppose, sir, I" she said, looking
up at him defiantly, the next time I
tell you I can not translate a certain
passage you will believe me?"
He made no reply, but fastened his
eyes on her with q kecner scrutiny.
He was wondering how the girl who
was SO freely praised by other teach
ers as being the star of their classes,
who, he had heard, was the sharpest
mathematician in the school and ex-
celled III the literature of other Ian
guages, could be so slow to compre-
bend Latin.
Elise was glad when he passed the
verse to another GIRL for she was
growing a little uneasy under has
searching gaze
A short time afterWard she was on
her way way 10 her music-rOOno, to
practice, and CHANGED to meet Matte
Hatton, her first favorite, in the Hall.
Matte commenced laughing and ex-
claimed:
''Well, Elise, that was a heavenly
translation you treated us to this
morning! No doubt it made old
Horace turn over in his grave to have
his pet thought So fearfuliy distort-
ed.
IT don't care if it did! Did I not
tell2Pr0f. ingram [ could not read it?
I know as we'll you all how ridicu-
lous my translation sounded. / have
known a long time there is no bright
hope Of my ever becoming a Latin
scholar Papa says it is because [ did
not have a competent teacher In The
beginning Anyway, | have such a
distaste for it that l can not make up
nv mind to learn it. I did not dislike
it SO before ! commenced taking les
sons from Prof Ingram, to make g
display of my ignorance day after
day. He generally calls upon me to
read the most difficult part of the les
son, and if he finds that I am especial
ly igROrant on any particular subject
that is the very one about which be
asks me most questions. You know /
have no trouble III any other class,
but it seems that when he fixes those
hateful old dark eyes on me it sets my
wits woolgathering. l believe | am
afraid of him."
Afraid Of Prof. Ingram2 The
idea of such a thing! It is true !
would not dare disobey him, or thwart
him in any way, bat I never dreamed
of being afraid of him. He is posi-
tive and stern, but never violent
nor rude, and, trueiy, for justice and
kindness all seasons are summer tc
him."
"Kindness! cried Elise, her pretty
blue eyes sparkling scornfully, 81
wish he would indalge in a distribu
ton of it when ana near, If he keep;
such a stock IN store. | suppose, II
nv winter of discomfort, fail TO APP
preciate Professors summer time dis
position. [ am sure [ ever dread the
hour when his class meets, and
would walk far out of my way tt
avoid meeting him on the lawn"
Elise, you should not say that. Fol
my part I think he is very patien
with you, and | know that he ha
never treated you unkindly."
"No. he never chides me IN words
but his eyes. speak volumes of disap
prevail to me. He is SO cold and dig
nifed that I am always i'll at ease IL
his presence. They say he goes mucl
in society wonder if his manner on
there is the same as here? If it is,