The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1900-05-11

little bald or SCIENTISTS hhd' VINO Was
| to duote the professors own words-thu
bright particular hero of the whole affair
Let me introduce Mr.. Joseph Britton."
Then Joe arose from beside Mabel and
| went forward to the platform. He was
| pale but self possessed. and he looked re-
markably well in his evening clothes. At
least that was Mabcrs inward comment
Somehow her heart suddenly warmed in
her cold little bosom at the thought that
this tull young fellow was their guest
they could even claim a distant relation
ship.
Joe began by saying that he was labor
ing under Il double handicap. the profes-
sor's request. and now the Judges words
Of introduction. He would do the best he
| could, however. though it would be but a
| substitute ct the best. Then he told
/ simple. matter of fact talk. and n poor
| about the formation Of the expedition. +
the university men who composed il. of
| the scientific facts they hoped to prove.
He told Of the voy age from San Fran
cisco, of the landing. of the START for the
| interior. Then came the story of their
hardships and their sufferings. The sun
| burned them. the fever wrenched them.
the natives harassnd them at every turn.
But they persevcred. Higher and higher
they assembled the mighty stream. At
last their purpose was accomplished. and
they started ON the return journey. He
told how jaguar lad leaped upon Pro
fessor Pelton and how it was beaten off.
He told of the stealing Of the boat and
how it became necessary for a man of
the party to swim the river under fire
| from the natives arrows and recover the
| craft. He told of tile final wreck of the
boat in the rapids and how they strug.
| gled ashore. He told Of the death OF
Brown and of his lonely burial in the
twilight in Il little clearing in the mids!
| OF that tropical verdure. Ike told of tho
building of the raft and of the long DRIFT
ing journey down the stream.
He told how there was but one man
left in the stricken little band with sulfi
cieEt strength to = - ut clear Of
| OH I it tiuns and &, .4..,.t. "a tn" wants
and cheer the failing spirits of his fever
rackcd comrades. Then he told how they
finally reached the prayed FOR sea and
friends.
And somehow. though he said naught
of himself. the audience seemed 10 know
that Joe was the man who fought the
jaguar. and who swan the river, and
who stccred the raft to final safety.
1t was the simple story Of heroic de-
votiUn to the cause Of science that has
been told so many times, and yet when he
finished his recital the audience was very
still for moment or two. Then eve: ::
body seemed determined to so forward
and shake hands with The vouns fellow
When Joe was fnill! permitted to es
cape. he found Mnhel waiting for him al
the door. Her eyes wee very bright and
shining. and she greeted him with I;
charming smile.
Papa and mamma have gone Oh
ahead" she expla.ne,. "and | said
would wait for you
THAT was very DOC Of you," said Joe
with heightened c1lor.
Mabel took his arm. and they walked
on in silence.
~ want to say" murmured Mabc
presently. that IL think | have mis-
understood you. and-and I'm sorry"
81 don't think | quite understand
said honest Joe.
"I'm glad il you don't" said Mabel
Anyway, feel better now I've tod
you" And then with delightful feminine
inconsequeuce she added. Besides. you
know you haven't treated me in really
friendly way"
Joe laughed in pleasant fashion.
81 was only carrying out my dear old
aunty's Oft repeated advice" he said.
"And what was IhatT
ITO resoIutcly turn away from tempta
ton" quoth Master Joe.
That's very nice Of you" said Mabe
softly.
1t seemed like an entirely Irrelevant re
mark. and yet Joe appeared to under
stand il.
And they walked still slower.-Clevc-
| land Plain Dealer.