Evening capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1888-1893, 1893-05-26

WHisVpf, Mhfninn, no ~ apirudtni"
This infused mo with fresh coifags
for The ordeal Mr. Lincoln, Mrs fdn
coin, Miss Idly and drove together
to the hall
The sight u The brilliantly lighted
room ard the expectant people made
my knees tremble and my heart beat
quickly, ldit loft my companions
and made my way ~ the antefoofn,
where I found my friend, the chair.
man, facing hall full ~ intelligent
looking people and conspicuous
among them the bright eyes and
charming face ~ Miss Idly.
I do not know what N was the
chairman said. only know ~ was
n panegyric upon fne, and that when
he said, II now have the honor and
the pleasure of presenting 10 you the
celebrated lecturer and scholar, Pro
fessor Richardson, " arose and stood
before them, undecided whether TO
speak or 10 turn and run.
The applause which followed gave
mo n little time to brace up. so,
spreading the manuscript upon the
desk, began. had devoted little
time TO elocution ard had looked
over the manuscript In the train, 30
I was fairly familiar with IL, and as
I proceeded ! kept gaining additional
courage, and the lecture was deliv-
cred in q way that astonisbed myself
and won repeated plaudits
A vote Of thanks TO me was unnn.
imously passed, the audience dis
persed, and ! was soon seated in Mr.
Lincoln's pleasant home, where he
poured out q stream of cong1atula-
tory remarks. Miss Lily was silent,
but thought her looks indorsed her
fathers speech. l was much tired by
my exertions and gladly availed my
self of the excuse to retire.
Alone in my room, the possible con-
sequences of my evenings lecture
troubled me. Twas deeply impressed
by Miss Lily's beauty culture and be-
witching manners: But how could /
continue the acquaintance / could
not long remain in the character Of
professor, and an attempt to explain
might complicate matters the more.
The only way open was to leave with
out explaining and contrive some
way in future to atone for my folly.
So after breakfast / took long
walk, during which considered mat
ters, and at last stepped into tele-
graph Office to send for my valise,
which had almost escaped my recol-
lection. While standing in the Office
preparing my message, man came
in and began chatting with the oper-
ator. Just then the instrument be-
gan to click. The operator heard the
message and gave cry of surprise.
"Look here, Bill to the other
man, "didn't Professor Richardson
lecture here last nights"
Oh, what should do IL recognized
as the impostorl
II don't know" was the answer.
II heard he did, though"
"Well, here is a message to Mr..
Lincoln from him, which says he
couldn't come on account 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 I did
must be done quickly. found that
train left in 20 minutes. rushed
back to the Lincolns' house, got in
without being seen, grabbed my va
lise and was soon on my journey to
Glasgow, whence ! telegraphed for
my proper valise.
My heart smote mo for treating my
host 30, but I felt the worse at not
being able to bid adieu to Miss Lily.
AS soon as ! arrived at my hotel ]
sent the following note to Mr.. Lin
coin:
DEAR SIR-Unexpected circumstances forced
me into assuming the character Of ono far more
wise but trust not more deserving than my
self shall renew our acquaintance In propria
persona in way that hope will entitle me 10
your confidence and excuse the deception ]
have practiced. With much esteem and re-
spect, yours, q. y. RocgEsTEa.
heard afterward what excitement
followed the delivery Of the telegram
and the discovery Of my absence.
Mr.. Lincoln and his wife were fu-
rious, but Miss Lily was confident IL
would come out all right. Somehow,
when my note was received, ittended
somewhat toward softening her ia
theirs anger, but it was n mystery for
some time TO them all.
The professor made trip 10 the
place to 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 venture and
proved to be a capital fellow. Our &C
auaintance ripened fast, and 1t was
, not long before was In s. again
with cordial Endorsement from him
Miss LILY answered my ring herself