The Osceola times., 1885-05-09

P"pN''. anu Was weary WIN the slow
progress had made. formed sudden
resolution to stop over night in S,
telegraph for my valise, and 90 to New
York some time the next day. when 1t
arrived.
lhe snow about the town was fairly
beaten down, considering the iierceness
OF the storm and the short time since il
had begun to abatc. After getting out
OF the cars did not hurry. but leis1reS
passed along the platform in the rear
OF the other passengers. As | was
about stepping OF 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, /, of course, supposed
myself mistaken and passed on. In
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 | saw your
initials upon your valisc. am sorry
you have had such rough journey; but
| can assure a good audience, despite
the Storm
l was so dumbfounded that | could
not resist his efforts as he and his
friend escorted me TO a carriage, placed
me in it, and then entered themselves.
Before had a chance to speak. the old
er gentleman said; II 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. AckernSan, Chairman Of the
Lecture Committee, and my friend here
is Judge Lincoln, Who would Insist YOU
should make your headquarters at his
house."
lsaw what their mistake was; but how
to get myself out of the matter caused
me to 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 un-
expectedly thrust upon me, and give
the lecture as best | could Thanking
the gentlemen, and fearing the con-
versation might drift into channels
where ! could not sustain Il rreditably,
l begged permission to remain quiet, as
my journey had been very fatiguing.
We speedily arrived at a handsome
residence, into which | gladly entered.
was ushered into warm, pleasant
sitting-room, and. when left alone, my
conscience began to smte me. | had
not long to reproach myself when |
heard the sound Of woman's voice.
and tho Judges wife entered and
cordially bade me welcome. In con-
versing with her discovered | was
very learned and eloquent Professor,
and that the public was very eager to
hear me. | trembled al my audaclty;
but ! could only carry out the character
l had so rashly assumed. The lady in
formed me that her son, who was very
intimate with me uhen | shuddered)
was away (hcre | breathed ea.ier), but
i should meet her daughter, Lilt. The
lady left, and, after brief quiet. which
seemed hours to me. heard voices in
the hall There was evidently an in
tention to speak in low tone; but,
nevertheless, | heard all that was said
distinctly, as the door was slightly aiar
"What is this wonderful prodigy Of
learning like, mamma? Is he 4 solemn
faced man, with sleek hair, spectacles
and erudition written on every feature?
Have l drawn a correct picture man.
MAJ"
'Oh! no. indeed" was the answer,
''He Is much unlike what Charlcv's let
ters had led me to expect He is really
iine-looking man, very gentlemanly,
and very pleasing to converse with;
but | must say should never suppose
he was such learned man as he I'M
doubtedly is" began to feel doubly
guilty, and had not recovered when
Miss Lily entered the room. She was
such vision OF loveliness that my dis
comiiturc 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-
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 intclligently together. / pre-
tended to be great lover of music, and
our conversation turned upon that
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" This infused
me with fresh courage for the ordeal.
The Judge and wife, Miss Lily and l,
rode together to the hall. The sight of
the brilliantly-lighted room and the ex-
pectant faces of the people made my
knees tremblc 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 | was
upon the platform, facing hall full of
intelligent-looking people, and con-
spicuous among them the bright eyes
and charming face of Miss Lily. do
not know what il was the chairman said,
| only know it was panegyric upon
me, and that when he said: II now
have the honor and the pleasure of pre-
senting TO you the celebrated lecturer
and scholar, Prof Richardson" Iarose
and stood before them, undecided
whether to speak or TO turn and run.
The applause which followed gave
me little time to brace up. So,
spreading the manuscript upon the
desk, began. | had devoted little
time to elocution, and had looked over
the manuscript in the cars, 80 that |
was fairly familiar with il, and. as l
proceeded, l kept gaining additional