Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-04-24

a master ofathe art, who used to cleo
trify both his patients and his clinical
classes by long shots, sometimes at the
most unlikely of pursuits; and never
very far from the mark. "Well, my
man." have heard him say: 81 can see
by your fingers that you play some
musical instrument for your livelihood,
but it is rather curious one--some-
thing quite out of my line" The man
afterwards informed us that he earned
a few coppers by blowing ''Rule Brit
ANNA" on a coffee pot, the spout of
which was pierced to form a rough
flute. Though novice in the art. |
was still able to astonish my ward COM
panions on occasion, and l never lost
an opportunity Of practicing. 1t was
not mere curiosity, then, which led me
to lean back on the cushions and an
alyze the quiet, middle-aged man in
front of me.
used to do the thing Systematically
and my train of reflections ran some
what in this wise: General appear
ance, vulgar, fairly opulent and ex-
tremely elf-possessed-looks like q
man who could outchaff bargee, and
yet be at his ease in middle-class so
ciety. Eyes well set together and nose
rather prominent-would be a good
long-range marksman. Checks habby
but the softness of expression re.
deemed by a square-cut jaw and a
well-set lower lip. On the whole, a
powerful type. Now for the hands
rather disappointed there. Though.
he was self-made man by the look OF
him, bat there is no callous in the
palm and no thickness at the Joints.
Has never been engaged in any real
physical work, should think. No tan
ming on the backs of the hands; on the
contrary, they are very white, will,
blue projecting veins and long, deli
cate fingers. Couldn't be an artist
with that face, and yet he has the
hands of man engaged in delicate
manipUlations. No red acid spots
upon his clothes, no ink stains, no
nitrate of silver marks upon the hands
this helps to negative my half-formed
opinion that he was n photogra pher).
Clothes not worn in any particular
part. Coat made of tweed, and fairly
old; but the left elbow. as far as | can
see it, has as much OF the fluff left on
as the right, which is seldom the case
with men who do much writing. Might
be commercial traveller. but the little
poclzetbook in the waistcoat is want
ing. nor has he any of those handy
valises, suggestive of samples"
/ give these brief headings of my
ideas merely to demonstrate my method
of arriving at a conclusion. AS yet 1
had obtained nothing but negative re-
suits: but now, to use a chemical meta
phor, was in position to pour off
this solution of dissolved possibilities
and examine the residue. found my
self reduced to very limited number
of occupations. He was neither law
yer nor a clergyman, in spite of soft
felt hat, and somewhat clerical cut
about the necktie. was wavering
now between pawnbroker and horse
dealer; but there was too much char
acter about his face for the former;
and he lacked that extraordinary
equine atmosphere which hangs about
the latter even in his hours of relaxa-
ton; so / formed a provisional dag
nosis OF betting man of mcthodistical
| persuasions, the latter clause being in
serted in Difference to his hat and neck
| tic.
PRAY. do not think that reasoned it
OFT like this IN ~ own mind. It is
c-1lv now, sitting down with pen and
nape-. that can see the successive
s.eas. rs it was, had formed my con-
el-sios wishia SIXTY seconds of the
li.,. when ! drew ny hat down over
| nv c--es a.d uttered the mental cjacu-
i,.io,, with which ny narrative begins.
t;tl 10. feel cutie satisfied even then
| III my DEDUCTION However. as a