The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-02-23
Stories of an Inland State.

Algernon Burr, the man music-teacher
| sat at mis- window one morning watching
two men raising a sign on an opposite
| building. II was very large sign, but he
could not read it, as its reverse side was
| turned to him. Ropes had been attached to
either end of this great board. the ends
having been lowered from the top Of the
building.
| Pull 'er up, Bill cried the man on the
| ground. steadyine the sign. The man on
| the roof, with an assistant, tugged away
| until the new sign rested near the top. 1;
reached quite across the building and AL
gernon now read it for the first time:
| Professor Castillo Rego, Musical Instruc-
| tor.
The letters were very large, very ornate,
very prominent.
"a rival" said Algernon drumming on
the pane with his fingers. Poor fellow"
He was not disappointed at the entrance
of competitor into his field. He had suf-
fered al the hands of the community be-
cause ne was alone guilty Of knowing how
&c play the piano. Two musical criminals
might make the crime more common and
cave both from condemnation. He believ-
ed this might be possible. But the more
certain consequence was that Professor
Castillo Rego would be condemned as he
lad been condemned. So he had exclaimed,
Poor fellow.''
But AIgernon meant to ally his forces
with Rego at once and engage in a cam
paign in facing down the community. He
changed his mind on this point directly.
For Professor Rego just then came along.
he was poussy man with long hair which
inclined to curl at the ends. His arms were
short and fat, his jowl heavy, his eyes
languid. His fingers were covered with
rings. He held in his hand a short cane
which he never touched to the ground. but
which he always brandished around ex-
citedly as thought to strike anyone who APP
preached him, down and out.
Professor Rego stepped into the middle
Of the street and looked up at the sign.
It did not suit him. Algerncn threw up his
window to hear what followed. AS he did
SO he noticed his own modest little sign
board hanging TO single wire with his
name. minus the establishment ot "Profes.
sor'' and the single explanation Music"
By this time Professor Rego was in a
fury.
Bring it down. Bring 1t down" he cried
Historically ''Oh, bring it down! Quick:
You fools, Bring it down, I sayI'
The professor waved his cane ferociously
What you want?" yelled Bill from the
top of the building.
Bring that down; take II down quick"'
Bring what down. Bill asked gruff1y.
MY name. Ny name. Bring 1t down
Ohw Professor Rego threw his cane wild
ly about him and danced on one leg and
then on the other.
"You want this sign down." asked Bill.
Eyes. Bring it down! OH
Quite a crowd had collected, awed al
this stranger with so much surplus fero-
city.
Bill disappeared from the roof and pres
emily appeared before the professor.
whats the matter with that sign?" ask
ed Bill.
The crowd had circled about the two
men.
Professor Rego turned upon the multi
tude: go away" he cried Historically. Go
away, you savages. This is my business.
Go away, you hoodlums."
He raised his cane and made several
fein.s at the crowd and although it con-
tanned many prominent citizens they moved
back, but NOT altogether away.
This satisfied Professor Rego for the mo-
ment He glared at the crowd savagely |
and turned to Bill.
Take that sign down Immediately" he
commanded.
Bill was determined to find out the trou- |
BILE before he moved.
whats the matter with it?'
Matter? Bring it down. I say!"
Bill disappeared and presently the sign |
reached the ground.
Once there the sign lay face upward look |
ng into the face of the outraged professor. |
He jumped upon 1t; kicked it, scratched it |
with his cane all the time utter |
ng piercing imprecations on the town and |
is artisans.
"A pretty set!'' he said turning to the |
crowd. "A pretty town. A nice people!
Oh, a very nice people! Savages! Hood
ums."
The crowd was cowed-cowed by a man
nusic-teacher, but Of a different type from
he meek Algernon Burr.
Whats the matter with it?" Bill now
,sked again.
Matter! Natter" shrieked the Profess
or. Hear the man! Hear him! Oh. you
avages"'
Bill looked to the crowd. The crowd. by
ome singular process, had become subju-
,ated by the professor and did not dare be
cairSf hin, Pill saw this AT one glance |