Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1891-02-27


rious and valuable specimens have been
found. I hope to make some inter
esting Investigations"
Every WE'LL" said Tom, as he bowed
himself out, II shall be there"
A servant came to open the door for
him, and Waters managed to scratch
few words on the back of an envelope.
'It is all right, am going" he wrote,
and succeeded in bribing the girl To
give it to Florence.
But he did not appear at the train in
the morning. Another plan had come
to him as he walked home. and all the
way from - to Sunnersville the pro-
fessor and his daughter were left to
wonder secretly ut his non-appearance.
When they arrived at their destina-
ton, however, they were both sur
prised to find him waiting at the station
with dilapidated chariot-ike vehicle
which he had procured in the village.
Il thought / had better run down by
the early train and see to things" he
explained to the professor. II found
some fairly desirable rooms which you
can get if you like them. We will drive
there now if you wish"
THAT was thoughtful of you. Let
us go at once" said the professor.
They found the rooms even better
than they had expected and engaged
them at once
81 suppose you found yourself room
here, too," said the professor to Tom as
that individual prepared to leave them.
"Wel, no." said Waters, 81 thought
I would stay at the hotel. It's miser-
able place, but well enough. I'm not
particular"
''Oh," said the professor, and nothing
more.
After making few arrangements for
beginning their search Waters with
drew, bowling gravely to Florence as
he opened the door.
The search began almost the next
day, and continued for many days there
after. Tom was really interested to
some degree, and was of much assist
ance to the professor. He studiously
kept away from the latter's rooms, and
saw scarcely any thing of Florence; the
only deviation from the direct line of
duty In that direction being sundry
hastily scribbled notes that he bribed
and cajoled the landlady into carrying.
Now and then he got word or two in
reply, but that was all.
One evening, after they had been in
Summersville couple of weeks, the
two men were returning after an un-
usually successful days work. The
professor was in high spirits After
H. +1a - %hz
days success, the professor took a fatal
step.
II fear you must find it lonesome at
the hotel" he said.
Tom felt his heart take 8 flying leap
for his mouth, but contrived to answer
indifferently:
"Well, yes, it is little, especially of
evenings, but l make out well enough
with few books and things"
''We find it somewhat lonely, too,"
admitted the professor. ST fear it is a
little tircsome for Florence. She has
no one but the landlady to talk with
except me, and, strangely enough, /
seem unable to interest her in our
work"
Indeed" said the young man, SYM
pathetically.
"We would like to have you drop in
now and then of an evening, Waters"
continued the professor.
"Thank YOU" said Tom. and there
and then he rclt an an-insp1rlng ueaIo
TO stand upon his head.
After that he dropped in for awhile
each evening at the professors rooms,
and with the help of the landlady they
played good deal of very poor whist,
and INDUCED in u few other more or
less pleasing amusements.
One evening they were sitting around
the table, the professor reading n mag
azine and Tom and Florence carrying
on an Indifferent conversation. At
length the professor laid down his book
and turned to Tom.
''I have just been reading the de-
scription of the only thing that l need
now to complete my collection" he
said. ''It is exactly like some of the
specimens which we found to-day, ex-
cept that it has striped coloring on
the back. / would give any thing to
possess one."
"We may find one," suggested Waters.
81 hope SO, of course, but they are
very rare"
That night Tom lay awake with
great idea in his head. The next day
he obtained two of the largest of the
before, and then he told the professor
that he was not feeling well and would
stay at home for day. The professor
said nothing, and went his way unac-
companied, except by little boy who
had been employed to carry baskets,
etc, on the daily excursions.
Tom went directly to the professors
rooms and there found Florence He
gave her a lovers greeting and then
began to look about the room hastily.
'What is it, Tom?" asked Florence.
"The magazine! Where is it?"
The magazine was found, and Tom
seized it eagerly and turned quickly to
the article the professor had been read
ing the day before.
He read it through, and then almost
leaped into the air. In fact, he went
dancing around the room in SO much
exultation that Florence began to won
der if he had not gone little crazy.
do you feel ill, Tom?" she asked,
anxiously.
Tom paid no attention to her question,
but continued his powwow about the
room. Florence waxed indignant.
II don't know what it is you find so
very funny" she said scornfully and
severely.
81 know you don't; but you will, an
swered Tom, and not a word more
would he say.
All the rest of that day, except an oc-
casional visit to the village drug store,
Waters stayed locked in his own room
at the hotel. In the evening he went
to see the professor and he carried with
him something in n little tin box. He
Vent in and laid it down before the pro-
fessor without word.
Prof. Taylor opened the box, and
there lay before him the wonderful
specimen for which he had looked so
long and SO vainly.
1t was N wonderful specimen, large
and fully developed, and all up and
down its back ran beautiful lines of red
and gold.
After the professor and his daughter