The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1896-02-29
Select Storp.
THE IDEALIST CLUB.
From the New Budget.

snatch gray headed DOhemlan from De-
fore the wheels of Charing Cross omnibus,
the carelessly driven horses of which had
knocked him down in Fleet street. |
happened to be just on the spot at the
right moment, and so, with hardly an eff
fort, saved this man life
II am great deal obliged to you,
said the gray headed man as we pulled
ourselves together on the curbstone, ''be'
cause I happen to be in the middle of the
best story ever wrote. Now tell me, my
friend, what can | do to show you that
am grateful 2
Something about this apparently pre-
maturely aged bohemian interested me
strongly, and l felt that | should like to
talk to him and know him. So | said,
There is really nothing to thank me for,
but since you give me the right to ask
something of you, | would say, let me go
with you this evening, talk with you, and
stay with you p
Ny new friend, whom instinct told me
was an artist of some kind paused,
thoughtfully scratching the back of his
head with the roll of manuscript to which
he had held so tightly when knocked
down by the bus horses. "Well, he
said slowly, Il was going down to the
Idealist club, and | never heard of visitor
being taken there. However and here
the man waved airily the roll of manuscript
before referred to-''I do not see why it
should not be done. Come, my friend,
anyhow, and let us seeY
Turning hurriedly into one of the oldest
of the many lanes off Fleet street, the gray
headed man led me into queer little court,
which seemed to be walled in by all the
concentrated back premises of Whitefriars.
We passed through an iron gateway, by
the side of which were left, caked in rust
and uncertain as to means of support, two
of the huge extinguishers into which link
boys were at one time wont to jam their
flaming torches. Walking down a moldy
smelling passageway, we came to closed
door, upon which was just able to make
ont the legend. -. Flail & Co. In
liquidation. J" My elderly friend produced
key, measuring perhaps four inches in
length. and which he carried in his spec
tacle case. Then he opened the door,
and, followed by myself, entered the room
beyond.
1t was a large room, full Of queer corners
and oddly shaped abrasures. Elegen men
were sitting there on high backed chairs
and in various positions, all Of which sug-
cested some relation to long deal table,
which was strewn with glasses, bottles,
long pipes and scattered piles of manuscript.
Six candles and big ecclesiastical looking
lamp were burning in different parts of the
room. and the ages of the IL men seated
there varied, | should say, from three and
twenty to 75. The man whom consid-
cred over 20 years of age rose to his feet
as my friend and myself entered, and
stroking his ragged, white beard with one
hand said ''You are late, professor !
Good evening And--who is this with
you?"
II have taken the liberty of bringing a
friend to the Idealist club, said my friend,
replacing the big key in his spectacle case
as he spoke, ''because he wanted to come,
and because he has just saved my life.
Have you any objection, president y
..Wen, said the old man, who had
risen to his feet, reaectively, Il don't
know I think it is piece Of internal
impudence certainly; but, on the other
hand, | don't see why you should not be
internally impudent if you choose, pro-
fessor. What doyou think, my friends !?
Il don't see any reason to bother,
said a young man who was wearing wide
brimmed soft hat.
ssThat's all right r said nay friend,
abstractedly wiping his forehead with the
roll of manuscript he carried.
'.Will the professors friend take a
chair, then, please r said the president,
resuming his seat. ''He viii be dreadfully
bored, but that is his own look out, and
he may sleep if he likes, of course. For
the rest, the friend of the professor is not
man, / am sure, who viii talk outside of
names he hears mentioned here.
bowed and sat down. s'Now, professor
See to pipes and tobacco, please, and as
we are all present you might, if you feel
inclined, let us know why you asked for
special meeting
Ny friend, addressed as professor,
handed me huge box of wooden matches