Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1894-11-22
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LARRY'S OLD FOSSIL.

Larry declared herself sick of the SUBJ
ject.
Larry was the only one of the fam
ily who had not met him, and with
her usual perversity, made up her
mind not to like him. He was learned
in mathematics, which only scored
against him in her eyes.
"'The calculating power alone
should seem to be the least human Of
qualities, she quoted, her small nose
in the air. There is something wrong
about a man whom everybody like
My prophetic soul tells me shall not
take to him, at least.
The Wednesday the professor was
expected Larry went for long walk
she met Ned Erskine and Harry Win
throp, two young artists with whom
she was good friends, and enjoyed her,
self very much, getting in barely IL
time to dress for dinner.
They were all assembled round the
table when she slipped into her place
and there was a reproof in her moth,
er's voice, as she said, "my third
daughter, Larinda, Professor Ches,
ney."
If there was anything that hel
third daughter hated, it was being adj
dressed by her baptismal name. With
a pout of her red under lip she bowed
hastily, and it was not until she had
disposed of her soup that she looked
at her opposite neighbor.
A tall, thin man, with brown HAN
and a short brown beard and mustache
thickly streaked with gray, a large
dome-like forehead, and near-sighted
gray eyes that looked kindly at hel
through his spectacles.
He was little surprised at the hos
tile expression in the brilliant brown
eyes, which surprise deepened into as
tonishnent when, in answer to a low
voiced remark from Jim, the young
lady replied, also in low tone, bu
so distinctly that he heard every word
II think he is an old fossil p
Notwithstanding this, several times
during the meal his eyes strayed t.
the white-robed figure, the bent, shin
ing brown head, and once, in the mlds
of remark from Augusta. he turne(
quickly to listen to peal oc merr.
laughter from Larry.
Several of her friends came in dur
ing the evening, and she devoted her
self to their entertainment, completed,
ignoring the professor When she hat
kept up this behavior for nearly
week, it attracted the attention Of he
family as well as that Of the visitor
and when gentle hints were scorned
Larry was severely reprimanded.
"You are positively unladylike !
said Mrs. Austin; "and insist on, a
least, civility. He must think you al
ill-mannered child"
81 dare say 1 do seem a child to hi
advanced years, saucily answered
Larry,
"You are exceedingly impertinent !
answered Mrs. Austin, who was nov
very angry. II insist on your bein
polite to Professor Chesney, and dolnI
your share toward entertaining him
or l shall certainly complain Of yo
to your father. Leave the room
miss !"
A little ashamed and wholly angry
Larry whisked out of the room, al
most into the professor arms, wit
such force as to rather stagger him.
With hasty Excuse me, she spe
along the corridor and up the stairs
while the "estimable gentleman stoo
and looked after her.
"An old FOSSIL" he murmured, wit
a slight smile, stroking his beard.
Shortly after this, to the surprise
all, Larry suddenly changed her tai
tics, and at dinner one day addresse
the professor. He answered courts
ously, and very readily joined in a
argument between herself.and jim
Her remarks were bright and anu
ing, if somewhat crude, and the brow
eyes and changeful face were vel
attractive. In the evening she playe
and sang for him, and was as brigi
and bewitching as the heart of ma
could desire, much to the surprise
some, and the annoyance of others,
her family.
"She means mischief" thong
Jim, uneasily. care you beginnlI
to succumb to the professor IS charms
; he whispered. "You know | gave y
) week.
ttI ~, 4l,o1,,,cr &c r,attin0 nm a c(