Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1888-09-22

dacity, but could only carry out the
character had so rashly assumed.
The lady informed me that her son,
who was very intimate with me
(then / shuddered) was away (here /
breathed easier), but 1 should meet
her daughter Lily. The lady left,
and, after brief quiet, which SEEM
ed hours to me, I heard voices in the
hall. There was evidently an inten-
ton to speak in low tone; but new
ertheless, heard all that was said
distinctly, as the door was slightly
ajar. NV !
"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 GER
rect picture, mammal"
"Oh! no, indeed" was the answer.
"He is much unlike what Charley's
letters led me to expect. Heis real
ly a fine-looking man, very gentle
manly and very pleasing to converse
with, but l must say should never
suppose he was learned man as he
undoubtly is" I began to feel
doubly guilty and had not recovered
my composure when Miss Lilly en-
tered the room. She was such a Wis
ion of loveliness that my discontinue
was increased. l know / must have
seemed really stupid, but my suppos-
ed wisdom doubtless encouraged her
to overlook it and the grace of well
come completed the fascination her
first appearance had created.
We were soon talking so eagerly
: that [ forgot my embarrassment. l
was delighted to find her range of
reading and thought were such that
, we could talk very intelligently to-
gether. pretended to be a great
J 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
I had been friends for years.
t Tea was soon over, and the event
, full moment was near. / overheard
Miss Lilly say to her mother, in a
l whisper: "Mamma, he is splendid"
: This infused me with fresh courage
for the ordeal. The judge and wife,
7 Miss Lily and /, rode together to the
e hall. The sight of the brilliantly
l lighted room and the expectant faces
t of the people made my knees trem-
l BILE and my heart beat quickly; but I
t left the Judge and his family, and
made my way to the ante-room,
: where 1 found my friend, the chair.
: man. In few moments l was upon
e the platform facing hall full of in
r telligent-looking people, and conspic.
: ious among them the bright eyes and
e charming face of Miss Lily. dc
+ not know what it was the chairman
# said: ! only know it was panegy'
Y ric upon me, and that when he said
= II now have the honor and the pleas
4; ure of presenting to you the cele
o brated lecturer and scholar, Prof
If Richardson" l arose and stood be
j. fore them, undecided whether t.
e speak or to turn and run. ...
e The applause which followed gave
!, me little time to brace up. Spread
r ing the manuscript upon the desk,
: began. had devoted little time to
= elocution, and had looked over TIT
l. manuscript in the cars so that | wa
fairly familiar with it, and as l pro
d ceeded, kept gaining additional
is courage, and the lecture was deliver
J, ed in a way that astonished mysel
d and won repeated plaudits. A vote
70 of thanks to me was unanimously
/: passed, the audience dispersed, and
e was soon seated in the judges pleas
e ant parlor; where he poured out {
h stream of congratulatory remarks
+" Miss Lily was silent; but l though
I her looks Endorsed her fathers speech
If l was much tired by my exertions
d and gladly awaited myself of tina
l. excuse to retire.
r Alone in my roo the possible
consequences of my evenings per
1t formance troubled me. / was deep
er ly impressed by Miss Lily's beauty
r culture and bewitching manners; Blu
Y how could 1 continue the acquain
s. lance? l could not long retain TIN
r. character of professor, and an attemp
st TO explain might complicate matter
st worse. The only way to do was t
q, leave without explaining, and con
1t trive some way, in future, to atom
- Co.. nv, foll,, Co oftor hrao L fact