Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1885-05-15
WAS HOBBS RIGHT?
= wv. q. David In The Current.l

Nv. q. David in The CURRENT
1t was odd. the way I first met Hobbs.
had been in Florence year, ostensibly
finishing my education, phrase always
vague enough when applied 10 young
men who perform that important opera
ton abroad but especially vague in my
case 1nscnsibe absorption doubtless did
something for me, but as | looked back
over the year could see no very definite
acquisitions and was not at all pleased with
the retrospect My well planned assault
on the Italian language had speedily
dwinded into desultory skirmish on
the borderlands that gave me nothing but
subsistence; for had barely learned
as for art - well, l began at
the wrong end of that. aud
had been ever since in incxtricable
confusion. To be sure, l could talk
learncdly enough about it-with those
who knew less Of it than did-but | did
not, and could not understand II. l
could not bring my mind to books. not
unnatural reaction, as they had been some
what forcibIy brought to it during my
college days. My friends were nninter
estng, and music had few charms for me,
50 found myself spending many hours
In my ROOMS, asking myself great many
getting anything like satisfactory an
swer. and had about made up my mind to
go home and do something when l met
Hobbs.
| was sitting one morning over my
breakfast in the cafe where | took that
meal, feeling more than usually dissatis'
fed with the world in general and myself
in particular. and gazing idly out of the
open window at the passers-by. when my
attention was attracted to little child
that had strayed out into the middle of
the street and was in imminent danger OF
being run over by rapidly approaching
carriage, the driver of which was en-
gagged in conversation with its oc.
cupants l started to my feet
with an involuntary cry, and as did so
saw a young man dart from the opposite
sidewalk. snatch the child from under the
horses feet and deposit it at the cafe door,
where it was claimed by an agituted young
woman, who began volube thank offer
ing The young man smiled. nodded,
and entering the cafe, took seat at the
table ne t mine. have always found
peculiar pleasure in trying to assign ma
tionality, character. and occupation to
people thus thrown in my way,
and turned eagerly from con
temptation of the street to scrutiny
of newcomer The subject of my
speculatons this time was in no way re-
markable 1t was young man of me-
dunn height and slender figure. with dark,
almost sailow complexion and tolerably
regular features. Nothing in his dress
served to distinguish him from the other
occupants of the cafe, unless it WAS a Ger
tain negligence that is seldom found in
the young men of Florence. His clothes
fitted him well, yet he seemed not to
know it, for he sprawed out in his chair
as if clothes were furthest from his
his Goa dusty. Altogether he was totally
unintcresting and would probably
never have noticed him had it not been
for the incident in the street l
was de!iberating whether to class
him as AUSTRIAN or Greek. for l
felt sure he was no Italian. when
ne looked up, caught my eye.
smiled slightly, and said Good morning. !"
TLen | saw that his eyes were blue, and
under The influence of that smile-the
pleasantyst, frankest smile have ever
seem responded, Good morning, and
wondered where had met him. Trying
to decide this question | turned again to
the window, and only observed from the
corner Of my eyes that he drank his cof-
fee a. if lie thoroughly enjoyed it. and
when he lad finished it t.ok cigarette
from his pocket, lighted it. and settled
back in h 5 chair as if he meant to enjoy
that also. After smoking few moments
he got up, and, COMING TO my tab C. stood
looking out Of the window for long
time in silence. At length he turned to
me and said, "Boredy"
"What does the fellow mean2"
thought, and was about to reply CURLY,
when, looking up. l saw he was smiling
at me
"Bored? Why, no. Why do you ask2'
asked feebly.
because you look so, " he answered
promptly.
Nv ell, " | said, 81 don't know but that
am little at loss for something to do
this morning"
He looked at me for moment in
silence, with half wondering, half quiz
zica look in his eyes, and then said:
81 am likely to have excitement enough
before noon.
"How that" asked
swell, my landlord has intimated some
what poin,edly that if my rent is not paid
this morning my rooms must be vacated
at once. am painter, and he thinks
poor one, for he will not see enough evi
dence Of genius in me to make him will
ing to trast me any longer lie is alb
surdly ludicrous when angry, and II you
think it will furnish you any amusement
why come along and see it l shall enjoy
1t immensely"
Nothing loath for this trivial even di
version, aud feeling an unaccountable in
terest in this strange fellow. | got up anC
followed HIM into the street He thrus
his hand into the pockets of his coat and
turning down a side street, led the way
toward part of the city more noted fo
Its aristocracy four centuries ago thai
to-day.
"lou see, he said, have number o
pictures for sale in the shops. and though
that some Of them might have been sold
but have been looking around, and fine
they have not been going off very fast;
and added after short pause. 81 don
like my rooms any way; they too small
and the lights not good
Arrived at last to our destination, WI
assembled fight after light of steps unit
we reach the rooms q studio aud bed