The record-union., 1894-09-15
PROFESSOR DETRIUS MORAINE.

copyright, 1894, by Edgar L. Wakeman. All
rights reserved.
We had been discussing our various
experiences in mountainous regions when
we noticed that the face of one of our
number was wreathed in a reminiscent
tial smile. So familiar had we all become
with each others moods that it was but a
moment before placid wave of silence
stole softly i'll upon the choppy surf OF
discursive chatter, and, settling our
selves comfortably IL our various places,
we listened to the Chronic Traveller s
pleasant tale.
More than casual glance would have
been required to make sure whether he
was an old young man or young old
man, as he dismounted from his carriole
and entered the common room of the
inn or station of Ormeim, standing just
above the picturesque Vaermofos water
fall. near the head Of the wild and Won
drous Romadal in Norway.
His step was light enough, and a GER
tain nervous eagerness in his manner
suggested youthfulness. On the other
hand his shoulders were rounded, his
chin extended outward curiously, and
his hands and face had a marked physi-
cal habit of unconscious proximity in
moments of abstraction which betoken
advancing years.
Though his clothing was of fine texture
it fitted him lily. His double Yisored
travelling cap almost touched his nose
before and his shoulders behind, giving
his head, which was unusually large ana
set upon a slender neck, the grotesque
appearance, in profile, of huge beak,
while the half obscured glasses upon
his nose aided in intensifying the mo-
mentary seeming that his bright, deep
set eyes were those of very cunning
bird.
Added to these peculiarities was that OF
face spare in flesh and strongly nodded.
1t was of singular graylsh tint, and
without trace Of moustache or beard.
Even the scalp in front Of and above his
large, outstanding ears was bare and
gray, and only few unevenly trimmed
strands of hair, of an ocherish-ashen
color, foated Jremulously above his
wrinkled collar behind.
He went straight to the dagbok, or day
book-that curious receptacle at all Nor
wegian posting stations OF tourists
names, complaints, hippant observations
and occasionally witty sayings wrote
with a jerky movement, and, without re-
mark To landlord or servants, pumped
himself into a chair, crossed one leg upon
the other and his two upturned palms,
and sat thus Tor a little time nervously
swinging his Dony limb, while looking
through the open door out upon The
frozen nights OF the painless Midtfjeld
which lies to the east OF Ormeim.
''Odd character that" whispered my
companion, genial English literator,
luh / had InaHn al NJ MnlHa
and with whom, though 1t was late in the
season, ! was now leiSurely travelling
through Norway.
We had formed a habit of studying
passing tourists and endeavoring to place
them IN the social or professional cate
CORY before their identity was revealed.
Sometimes we added ZesC TO the idle pro-
ceeding by tritling wager.
"W hat is he?' L returned cautiously;
principal of female seminary, an old
bachelor broken loose from a personally
conducted party Of tourists, or miser
astonished at finding himself giving up a
little of his heard in travel?"
Neither. rll lay you twenty kroner
even, he is some scientist wearing himself
to skin and bone over an demonstrated
theory
Done; if you'll name either his profes-
sion or theory"
My friend made excuse to walk around
the new conner few times as if ID the
impatient exercise so common in the long
waits for ponies and carts at these Nor
wegian mountain stations, and after re-
garding him closely returned with the
quiet remark:
''Geologist or glacial action crank, sure.
Why, if that man could command the
physical power TO do SO, ne would have
every mountain and field in Norway
overturned and standing on its head for
inSnectiOn before mOrninCiD
L sauntered TO the daybook and saw he
had written in it simply the words:
.'Detrius Moraine."
''Oh, yes, of course" insisted my friend
when l had announced this discovery.
"'Professor Detrius Moraine' and ii you
Moraine, +. r. a. S., +. c. S., +. r. G.. S.,
etc. etc. Indeed you would find him q
sort of an all round Fellow who belongs
to every association and society on earth
for poking, prodding and penetrating
earth, sea and air Tor the secrets OF the
immutable, and especially TO wrangle
with every other Fellow who has poked
prodded, penetrated and published be-
fore him."
s..All right" I answered cheerily.
ssWe'n get acquainted with him and
worry him at supper"
While l vas saying this the Professor
squirmed around suddenly in his chair
anu O6AdA SpOdhAhS iAuCiAlA5 III ~ VI We
gian to the stocky and stolid herbergerel
or innkeeper.
SHOW far is it to the top of the Midi
fjeld?" he asked snappishly,
"Maybe twenty English miles,
''Can l get up there the first thing il
the morning."
Here the innkeeper blew off a great
whistle of surprise at his impetuous
guests ignorance.
sIn three days if you climb WELL" be
finally answered, looking suspiciously al
his guests thin limbs.
''Contound Norway, anyhoww retorteG
the Professor, sprlnging TO his feet anG
walking impatiently back and forth
through the little room.
..Why confound Norway, anyhow
retorted the landlord with some spirit
ssIf the fields and mountains were MOI
here you would not come," which burst
of ponderous logic SO pleased its author
that he triumphantly resumed whiting
upon some outlandish pine ornament toi
the front of his roadside inn.
"Are there huts, cabins. shelter or hu
man beings on the fjeld?' demanded the
Professor anXlously.
mo. Below them few miles are The
saeters only"
For the Lords sake what are sac
ters? II can't fix the etymology OF tha
word"
s.Saeters are saters in Norway" wa:
the sententious reply.