Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1893-07-07

! upon me tnat must nave gone INTO
one OF the other houses in the row.
! This eased my mind little, though
still felt anxious about my papers.
There was nothing to do but exercise
patience, and so began reading the
/ lecture. Although somewhat beyond
my requirements found it interest
| ing aud instructive.
Toward 4 o'clock in the afternoon
We arrived at Carlisle As il was i'm
possible to transact my business in
full without my papers, and was
weary with the slow progress | had
stop over night in Carlisle, telegraph
| for my valise and 90 TO Glasgow some
/ time the next day when it arrived.
The snow about the town was fairly
beaten down, considering the fierce
ness Of the storm and the short time
/ it had begun to abate. After getting
| out OF the train | did not hurry, but
| leisurely passed along the platform
/ i'm the rear OF the other passengers.
As | was about to step of the plat
form. to my surprise two gentlemen
of nice appearance seemed about to
accost me, but as they were total
strangers to me l of course supposed
| myself mistaken and passed on.
In moment they were by my side,
and one Of them said very politely:
Excuse lie, professor; thought it
was you, but did not feel sure until |
saw the initials on your valise. l am
sorry you have had such a rough
journey, but can assure you a good
audience despite the storm
| | was so dumbiouuded that | could
not resist his efforts as he and his
| friend escorted me TO carriage,
placed me In it and then entered
themselves Before | had a chance to
speak the elder gentleman said:
Il trust, professor, you will at once
feel at home with us You have many
warm friends in the town, though you
are Il stranger personally to us
Yes, broke in the other man: Il
am Mr.. Ackerman, chairman Of the
lecture committee and my friend here
is Mr. Lincoln, who would insist you
should make your headquarter at his
house
saw what their mistake was, but
how to get myself out OF the matter
caused me to fall into reverie, dur
iag which my companions ceased TO
talk to me. \ few moments thought,
and | determined to perform the part
so Unexpectedly thrust upon me and
give the lecture rs best | could.
Thanking the gentlemen, and fearing
the conversation might drift into
channels where | could not sustain il
creditably, | begged permission to re-
main quiet, as my journey had been
very fatiguing.
We speedily arrived at handsome
residence into which gladly entered.
| was ushered into warm, pleasant
sitting ROOM and when left alone my
conscience began TO smite me. | had
not long to reproach myself when |
heard the sound OF u woman's voice,
and Mr. Lincoln's wife entered and
cordially bade me welcome. In con
versing with her | discovered that |
was a very learned and eloquent pro
fessor, and that the public were very
eager to hear me.
trembled at my audacity but |
could only carry ont the character |
had so rashly assumed. The lady in
formed me that her son Charles, who
was very intimate with me (there !
shuddered) was away (here |
breathed freely, but l should meet
her daughter Lily.
The lady left. and after brief quiet,
which seemed hours to me, | heard
voices in the hall. There was evi-
dently an intention to speak in low
tone, but nevertheless | 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 eruditionw written on every feature?
Have | drawn a correct picture, mann
MAJ
"Oh, no, indeed was the answer
He is much unlike what Charlie let
ter had led me to expect. He is real
ly fine looking man, very gentle
manly and very pleasing to converse
with, but l must say | should never
suppose he was such learned man
as he undoubtedly is"
l began to feel doubiy guilty and
had not recovered my composurew when
Miss Lily entered the room. She was
such vision of Ioveliness that my
discontinue was increased. | know
l must have seemed really stupid, but
my supposed wisdom doubtless en-
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 my embarrassment. |
was delighted TO find that her range |
OF reading and thought were such
that we could talk very intelligently
together. pretended to be a 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 event
ful moment was near. | overheard