The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1895-07-30

l. /. 4. !" !. !. !. J.
ID that II Is always
I'd t he unexpected
.E that happens, and
@I u that to he pre-
,LEA% pared for emer-
.LD2yffIl4S = gencics one must
= NhSff1&i3E, be both philoso-
,N,VESS,~Z pher and n fatal
>x=sv7sIS q ssee.Sa--=- ist As Professor
- gsSZg::@ Smythc, must
clan, piano tuner,
and general utility
man-ln musical wuy-was going TO
the Globe Theatre, where he was to
play flute obligato with the regular
orchestra, he would have been much
surprised if any hint OF new calam-
lty III his rundown fortunes could
have been then and there foretolJ
lie certainly thought he had taxed the
ingenuity of adverse fate to its nj
most, and he had enough misery on
hand to last him lifetime. But the
misfortune awaiting him was of n
grotesque turn, and quite unlike the
Others, which were the commonplace
ones of illness, poverty and bad luck
In everything he undertook.
Now, there is no refinement of
cruelty equal in its pangs to the grin
OF poverty upon sensitive nature
that cannot borrow and will not beg
the poverty that is ''genteeP' in well
brushed garments, polished by the
friction OF time; of lean and hungry
look, because never sufficiently fed
with pride perched like n sentinel on
the threshold, keeping out the hap
l.lurItV who 10
labored account of details in the
lives OF want. 70 this class of the
genteel poor belonged Professor
Smythe, who, rs he stepped along
carefully in his frayed encourage
would have been Ridiculous if he hal
not been pathetic. And, poor man.
he did not know that he was either.
lie had hidden his poverty ostrich.
wise, and never dreamed that he WAS
attracting attention to it. Besides
that, beng gentleman by birth. in
stlnct and education, no attached no
UShonor to his low estate. lie was
not the only man who had not made
financial success of life.
As he walked along in the shrink,
ing, depressed fashion that had be-
come natural to HIM through habituIe
OF misfortune, lie was aware of fine
sudden opening Of n door in n hand
some residence he was passing, and
Hood OF orange light beamiug across
LIS path At tho same time man in
evening dress ran lightly down the
steps, seized him by the arm and said
brisAly:
My dear sir, excuse me, but would
You do me great favor?"
Prof Smythe FORGOT to draw into
his shell, so sudden was this attack.
tie stood still, like the Welding rue,t
III the ancient Mariner" but finally
stammered his need OF haste and the
occasion OF il.
81 will pay You twice MS much md
you will have nothing To do but make
yourself agreeable 1t will he a great
accommodation and l shall never for
get 1t. ! can see by your appearance
that you are q gentleman consider
me friend and accept my offer"
But what service is required of
mc?' asked the professor, who had
vague idea that q grand piano had SUD.
denly gone wrong.
"Nhy, you see, am giving din.
ncr to some friends. 1t is nll ON tine
table, and we have just discovcrs
that there are thirt,gU of us thnt
would never do ut all. NV IF Won
will dine with us YOU shalt be we'll
ad Tor Your services, and dare -nv
YOU viii DE in time for your flute solo
at the theatre, as YOU can be excused
when you desire. TOu Will come?
Ibnuks "