Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1885-06-20

trembled at nv audacity, but l could only
carry ont the character | had so raShly as
sumed. The lady informed me that her
son. who was very intimate with me then
l shuddered) was away there | breathed
easier, but | should meet her daughter.
Lily. 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, never
theless heard all that was said distinctly,
as the door was slightly ajar.
What is this wonderful prodigy OF
learning like, mamma? Is he solemn
faced man, with sleek hair, spectacles. and
erudition written on every feature? Have
I drawn a correct picture, mammal"
.Oh no. indeedl'' was the answer.
"He is much unlike what Charley's let
Ter had led me to expect. He is really a
fine-looking man, very gentlemanly, and
very pleasing to converse with; but | must
say | should never suppose he was such a
learned man as he undoubtedly is" |
began to feel doubly guilty, and ha not
recovered when Miss Lily entered the
room. She was such vision of loneliness
that nv discontinue was increased.
know | must have seemed really stupid;
but my supposed wisdom doubtless ell
couraged her to overlook it, and the grace
of her welcome completed the fascination
her first appearance had created.
We were soon talking SO eagerly that
forgot NV embarrassment. | was delight
ed to find that her range of reading and
thought were such that we could talk very
intelligently together pretended to be q
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 together and enjoying each others
society as though We had been friends for
years.
Tea was soon over, and the eventful mo.
ment was near. | overheard Miss Lily say
to her mother in whisper Mamma,
he is splendid" Fhis 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 eXpectant faces of the
people made my knees tremble and my
heart beat quickly; but l left the Judge
and his family and made my way to the
anteroom, where l found my friend the
Chairman. In few moments | was upon
the platform, facing hall full of intelli-
gent-looking people, and conspicuous
among them the bright eyes and charming
face Of Miss Lily. I do not know what il
was the Chairman said, I only know it was
a panegyric upon me, and that when he
said: Il now have the honor and the
pleasure of presenting to you the celebrated
lecturer and scholar, Professor Richardson.
arose and stood before them, undecided
whether to speak or to turn and ran.
The applause which followed gave me a
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, so
that l was fairly familiar with it, and as l
proceeded | kept gaining additional cour-
age, 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 dis
persed and | was soor seated in the Judge
pleasant parlor. where he poured out a
stream of congratulatory remarks. Miss
Lily was silent, and thought her looks in
dorsed her fathers speech. ] was much
tired by my exertions, and gladly ayailed
myself of that excuse TO retire.
Alone in my room, the possible Conse-
quence of my evenings performance
troubled me- l was deeply impressed by
Miss Lily's beauty, culture and beWitching
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 to leave without
explaining, and contriye some way, in the
future, to atone fer my folly. So, after
breakfast, took long walk, during which
| considered matters, and at last stepped
into telegraph office to send for my yalise
which had almost escaped my recollection
While standing in the office, preparing my
message, man came in and began chat
:, d, /, |,
strument began to click. The operator
read the message, and gave cry of sur
prise.
Look here, Bill" to the other man
didn't Professor Richardson lecture here
last night"
Oh! What should l do if recognized as
the impostor2
II don't know, was the answer; ~
heard he did. though"
well, here is a message to the Judge
from him, which says he couldn't come
count of the storm. Something funny
somewhere. I'd better get this up to him
as soon as possible
So off he started TO find boy to carry
the message. Whatever l did must be done
quickly. found that train left in twenty
minutes. | rushed back to the Judges
house, got in without being seen, grabbed
my valise, and was soon on M journey to
New York, from whence | telcgraphed fol-
my yalise. Ny heart smote me for treating
my hospitable host SO; but | felt the worst
at not being able to bid adieu to Miss Lily
As soon as | arrived at my hotel | sent the
following note to the Judge:
Dear Sir: Unexpected circumstances forced
me into assuming the character of one far more
wise, but, trust not more deserving than my
self ! shall renew our acquaintance IN prOp-ia
persona in way that hope will entitie me to
your confidence, and excuse the deception ]
have practiced. With much esteem and re-
spect, yours CALEB s. ROCHESTER.
| heard afterward what excitement fol-
lowed the delivery of the telegram and the
discovery of my absence. The Judge and
his wife were furious, but Miss Lily was
confident it would come out all right.
Somehow, when my note was received, it
tended somewhat toward softening the
Judges anger; but il was a mystery for
some time to them all The professor
made a trip TO the place 10 investigate the
matter, and was invited to lecture. | am
vain enough to be pleased with the fact
that the people declared the false professor
was the more eloquent of the two.
Later | called upon the professor and
told him the whole story He laughed
heartily at my adventure. and proved to be
WhOle-Souled mar. Our acquaintance
ripened fast, and it was not long before l
was in s. again with a cordial indorse-
ment from him. Miss Lily answered my
ring herself, and the look of establishment
upon her cOuntenance shall never forget.
The reading of the Professors letter made
everything satisfactory The Judge
laughed long and loud as | told him how
felt upon my former visit. | called again
and very often, and one night there was a
wedding in the pleasant parlor, at which
Miss Lily became Mrs Rochester. The
Judge declares that our boys have Grecian
countenances and he calls one Phidias and
the other Praxitees, although their real
names are George and Rufus.-[G. Randall
in \. Y. Independent.
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