New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-24
THE PROFESSOR.
HE GIVES a MUSICAL TO HIS BOHEMIAN FRIENDS
AND IS PUT TO BED.
From The Boston Journal.

From The Boston Journal.
well. let 'er go, Professor"
The fiddle goes up to the double chin; II cud-
dies there In the fatty folds or his neck. his
large mouth works from side to side: his little
sharp eyes, almost hidden behind the fat creases
OF his checks peer gravely at the bridge or the
fiddle; the fat, chubby left hand keys and
strums the strings; the fat chubby right hand
draws the bow tentatively across the strings
The Professor Is tuning up.
His four hearers look on with admiration; tho
Professor is the ornament OF the group. The
host-they are in his room on the second floor
Of the Washington-st. lodging house-pOur5 beer
from the tin can. The Professor puts down the
fiddle. The others lift their glasses:
well here's a go. Professor" says , one;
Here's go. Professor" echo the others. they
drink The Professor bows-and drinks last
talent has been ACKNOWLEDGED. He picks up the
fiddle. "Whatll play. boys"
His voice H. rich and husky; rich from drink
ms beer husky from calling Off figures at
danccs-"Swins your partners.' Balance and
turn
"Whatn play?"
"Oh. any old thing, Give us An Coons Look
Alike 70 Me ;"
He plays the tune he does not play it badly
h. hints back to study and knowledge Of music;
but the Professor does not hint intentionally:
his eyes fixed on his empty glass. The tune
ends with a flourish. Applause. His glass Is
filed. He drinks he plays again More APP
plausc. More beer.
Pipes and cigars are burning now. Their blue
gray smoke burs the single gas jet. When the
fiddle is SIN. there is talk. There Rabe-
as.an jests about the Professors latest Jag
latest amour latest scrap. nor are their own
like diversions forgotten. Rabolaisian jests and
Rabcaisian laughter. And more beer always
more beer. one by one they rush the CANAL
save the Professor; talent IS ACKNOWLEDGED.
They are bachelors lodging-hou dwclers:
conductor mOtorman. butcher, gasttter.
The Professor ls-thc Professor leader of the
Climax Quartet which IS heard at many dances
dances to which the admission for couple,
lady and gent" Is quarter-the gent has
"somcthing on the h.p"-dances where there arc
frequent exhibitions OF improvised pugilism-
glorious affairs. the drinkers now agree.
The more the Professor drinks the better he
PLAYS And now something happens which an
noys him. as he has been annoyed before.
Something snaps in his drink maZed brain;
dullcd impressions Of other things intrude in the
sordid drink riot in his brain AS though he
looked at twilight through blurred window on
misty landscape. he now remembers himself
as he was years ago. sees grOpingly the company
he kept years ago. hears duly the music he
played years ago. when he, even he, the beer
fattcned Professor, set out to conquer the
world.
And he tries hard to remember that music,
H. tries hard to play it. The tones sad,
little. momcntary inproyisation-twO or three
sad small voices wall idle futile voices, which
soon stop crying.
Like unto his hands. his neck. his whole body.
the soul Of the Professor is fat. Movement
fItgucs It.
His soul cannot attain even 70 sorrow
But he weeps foolishly and gently.
why. the Professors crying
whats the matter, Professor"
Have n drink
His head sinks lower and lower; Ii sways to
one side.
Professors loaded" went off quick to-
night"
They pick him up and lay him on the bed.
but tell you, the Professors all rlght!'
Talent has been acknow lodged.
The Professor shores stertorOusy on the bed