The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1885-04-23

The snow about the town was fairly
beaten down, considering the fierceness
of the storm and the short time since it
had begun to abate. After getting out
of the cars 1 did not hurry, but leisurely
passed along the platform in the rear
of the other passengers. As I was
about stepping off the platform TO the
sidewalk, to my surprise, two gentle
men, of nice appearance. seemed about
to accost me; but. as they were total
strangers to me, I, of course, supposed
myself mistaken and passed on. In a
moment they were by my side, and one
of them said, very politely: Excuse
me, Professor; / thought it was sure,
but did not feel sure until 1 saw your
initials upon your valise. / am sorry
you have had such a rough journey; but
/ can assure a good audience, despite
the storm.
was so dumbfounded that l could
not resist his efforts as he and his
friend escorted me to n carriage placed
me in it, and then entered themselves.
Before had a chance to speak, the old
er gentleman said: Il trust, Professor,
you will at once feel at home with us.
You have many warm friends in town,
though you are a stranger, personally,
to us.
= Yes broke in the other man. 81
am Mr.. Alderman, Chairman of the
Lecture Committee, and my friend here
is Judge Lincoln, who would Insist you
should make your headquarters at his
house"
saw what their mistake was; but how
to get myself out of the matter caused
me 90 fall into a reverie, during which
my companions politely ceased to talk
to me. A few minutes thought, and /
determined to perform the part so I'M
expectedly thrust upon me, and give
the lecture as best l could Thanking
the gentlemen, and fearing the con-
versatiOn might drift into channels
where I could not sustain it creditably,
I begged permission to remain quiet, as
my journey had been very fatiguing.
/ We speedily arrived at a handsome
residence, into which I gladly entered.
l was ushered into warm, pleasant
/ sitting-room, and, when left alone, my
| conscience began to smite me. l had
not long to reprOach myself when l
/ heard the sound of woman's voice.
and the Judges wife entered and
cordially babe me welcome. In con-
versing with her / discovered l was a
very learned and eloquent Professor,
and that the public was very eager to
] 3
| but l could only carry out the character
/ had so rashly assumed. The lady in
formed me that her son, who was very
intimate with me (then l shuddered)
was away there l breathed easier), but
/ should meet her daughter, Lily. The
lady left, and, after a brief quiet, which
seemed hours to me, l heard voices in
the hall. There was evidently an in
tentiOn to speak in a low tone; but,
nevertheless, l heard all that was said
distinctly, as the door was slightly ajar.
What is this wonderful prodigy of
/ learning like, mamma? Is he a solemn
! faced man, with sleek hair, spectacles
and erudition written on every feature?
Have l drawn a correct picture mann
MAJ"
"Ohi no, indeed!" was the answer.
/ He is much unlike what Charley's let
ters had led me to expect He is really
a fne-lOoking man, very gentlemanly,
and very pleasing to converse with;
| but / must say | should never suppose
he was such a learned man as he I'M
doubleday is" 1 began to feel doubly
/ guilty, and had not recovered when
Miss Lily entered the room. She was
such a vision OF loneliness that my dis
| comfiture was increased. / knew /
must have seemed really stupid; but
my supposed wisdom doubtless encour-
/ aged her to overlook it, and the grace
of her welcome completed the fascina-
4 ton her first appearance had created.
| We were soon talking so eagerly that
forgot my embarrassment. / was de-
| lighted to find that her range of reading
and thought were such that we could
talk very intelligently together. l pre-
| tended to be a great lover of music, and
!
\ topic, so that, when her mother came
to call us to tea, we were singing to-
/ gether and enjoying each others So
ciety as though we had been friends for
years.
Tea was soon over, and the eventful
moment was near. / overheard Miss
Lily say to her mother in a whisper:
mamma, he is splendid. a" This infused
me with fresh courage for the ordeal.
The Judge and wife, Miss Lily and /,
rode together to the hall The sight of
the brilliantly-lighted room and the ex-
pectant faces of the people made my
knees tremble and my heart beat
quickly; but left the Judge and his
family and made my way to the ante
room, where / found my friend the
chairman. In a few moments 1 was
upon the platform, facing hall full of
]
spicuous among them the bright eyes
and charming face of Miss Lily. l do
not know what it was the chairman said,
/ only know it was a panegyric upon
me, and that when no said: Il now
have the honor and the pleasure of pre-
| senting to you the celebrated lecturer
and scholar, Prof Richardson" I arose
and stood before them, undecided
whether to speak or to turn and run.
The applause which followed gave
me a little time to brace up. So,
spreading the manuscript upon the
desk, began. l had devoted n little
time to elocution. and had looked over
the manuscript in the cars, so that
was fairly familiar with it, and, as
proceeded, 1 kept gaining additional
courage, and the lecture was delivered
in way that astonished myself and
won repeated plaudits. A vote of
thanks to me was unanimously passed,
the audience dispersed, and I was soon
seated in the Judges pleasant parlor,
where he poured out a stream of con-
| gratulatOry remarks Miss Lily was
silent, but / thought her looks Endorsed
/ her fathers speech. / was much tired
by my exertions, and gladly availed
myself Of that excuse to retire.
Alone in my room. the possible con-
sequence of my evenings performance
troubled me. / was deeply impressed
by Miss Lily's beauty, culture and be-
witching manners; but how could
continue the acquaintance? / could
not long remain in the character of
Professor, and an attempt to explain
might complicate matters worse. The
only way to do was 10 leave without ex-