The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-08-10

one summer morning in the long ago,
,ben Princeton University was the col
,ese of New Jersey, and the professors
wore very high tophats with fiat brims
and tight-waisted frockcoats with wide
CHRIS. Rev. Caedmon Macnab, dean OF
tbe college, stood upon the little plat
form at the railroad station awaiting
The morning train. He was thin spare
man. with side whiskers and a far
aUav look. AS the day was hot, he
Ho,lrished a red bandanna to and fro
I, lieu of a fan, with as much dignity
as the torridity of the atmosphere
would permit. Now Prof. Macnab could
have furnished no logical explanation
as to his presence at the railway sta
ton on this particular morning, any
more than he could have accounted for
other mornings of the past two score
and ten years similarly employed, save
that it had become with him a fixed
habit to watch the daily arrival and
departure of the train as a mild man.
ner of worldly dissipation and the only
relaxation he allowed himself, from
constant association with Specimens"
for Rev. Caedmon Macnab was profess
sor of palaeontology at the college.
When the train at last rolled in, with
much putting from the engine and con-
slant jangling of an ancient bell the
only passenger to alight was a short,
fat, stylishly -groomed man, possessed
Of prosperous paunch which set off
the red waistcoat he wore admirably.
Inasmuch as Rev. Caedmon Macnab
was the only specimen of the human
race visible, the short, fat, stylishly-
groomed man paused beside him and,
clearing his throat, said, cordially:
Hello, old tyke-''
Mr.. Caedmon Macnab did not imme-
dately reply, since he was engaged
upon an abstruse mental problem on
phylogeny of existing vertebrate forms.
The shot, fat man looked at the dean
Of the college for a moment, appar-
emily, taking the measure of the rev.
erend gentleman.
Rev. Caedmon Macnab started back,
grievously surprised at such brusque
and unlooked-for insult to the profess
sional dignity. Finally, he pursued his
lips GROSSLY and, waving his bandanna
impressively, said in his piping voice:
Sir" l beg to inform you that my
name is neither old tyke nor Rip Van
Wrinkle. Those who know me are ac-
customed to refer to me as Rev. Caed-
mon Macnab, dean of the Collegio Neo-
Caesariensis."
wen, III be tootally id" retort-
ed the short, fat man, stretching out
his hand, you are the very old tyke
I've travelled many miles to see. l de-
sire some information concerning a
young friend of mine-a young man
who mas spoken often to me concern
ing you-Mr. Harold Adsit, who attend
ed this institution"
-yes-Harold Adsit-B. A.
"a, A. NJ 90, Phi. d. '6S-" said Rev.
Caedmon Macnab, fairly beaming upon
the short, fat man. ANY friend of
Harolds is my friend. A fine young
man, sir, scholarly young man, sir.
but a. SLY young dog with the ladies,
sh, sir?"
"A devilish sly young dog with the
ladies'" chuckled the short, fat man,
poking the professor gayly in the ribs,
an action which caused that slender
gentleman to bend over like a cork
screw. But first allow me to introduce
myself and then we'll have a little
drink to Harold"
You must pardon me, but my mot
to in life to touch not, taste not, ham
die not, Mr. Mr." and the professor
hesitate dand looked inquiringly at his
companion.
ivan Setback, sir" completed the
short, fat man, John Farinati Van
Setback, Grocer, Atlanta, Georgia.
Surely, you'll take something soft, a
Hunyadi water, cup of tea, or per-
haps, eigarette?"
mo, sir, | am wholly opposed to the
pleasures of the fiesh," replied the pro-
lessor, solemnly. Nevertheless, sir,
opine that we will find much in COM
mon to talk about, concerning the
striking personality of our mutual
friend, Harold. 1 presume that you are
aware of his engagement"
We'll, 1 should think So" replied
Mr.. Van Setback. Indeed, that is my
main reason in coming here"
Il am really very glad of that" said
the professor, cordially. I'VE can speak
Of Harold without reserve. But come
you must lunch with me. We will wend
our way across the campus and / can
show you the dormitory where our
young friend used to burn the midnight
OIL"
And Prof. Macnab linked his arm in
that of Mr.. Van Setback and they pro-
ceeded together at leisurely pace