The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1901-09-04
The Passing of Parker.

Occasionally the hum-drum routine |,
OF intercourse with the ordinary men,
our brothers, Is enlivened by contact |
with, or hearing of a person possessed |
OF superior capacity for doing original |
things or acting In freakish manner. |
Such an one appeared In Reynoldsville |
few years since, shining brilliant for |
season and then disappearing from
the knowledge of our townsmen.
Parker was his name and he was a
curiosity In more ways than one. He
wasn't very prepossessing chap when
he first struck town, for though genius
and threadbare clothing often hob-and-
mob, nevertheless we are inclined 10
look with suspicion on the individual so
dressed. But genius will not be hid,
and Parker needed no clothing to make
himself famous. With volubility that
could come only of long practice he
could spin yarns by the yard OF his es-
capades; in fact he told good many
more than he was ever in His friends
knew him we'll, laughed at all, believed
what they would. He claimed to be a
workman of a very difficult trade, and,
by strange coincidence, there happen
ed vacancy in his trade in town just
at that time. He was employed but
proved to be not an expert In his line.
For awhile things went comparatively
quiet. When pay day came there was
startling metamorphosis In Parker.
He suddenly blossomed forth in new
clothes from head to foot, and certainly
no one was ever more at home in fine
suit than he. With we'll built figure,
wavy black hair, dainty little cigar
ette, and face always the image of
good humor, he was prominent char
acter on the streets. He surprised u
jeweler by dickering for diamond
set ring; he surprised bis landlady by
throwing her downstairs when she ask
ed for money. He nirted with the girls
and talked blandly at the same time OF
his wife-to-be in Philadelphia. Disap-
pearing on a Saturday night, he reap
peared on Monday saying he had been
in the eastern part of the state. Par
ker never stopped talking, and cared
little what he said. Sometimes he was
making preparations to go on the road
with a show: to others he was talking
of staying here. One day he went TO u
minister and engaged him TO marry
himself and girl, whom, he said,
! would arrive that day from Philadel-
phia. The hour arrived, the minister
was ready, but Parker and his bride
came not. Whether it was all farce
arranged by the inimitable' Parker, OF
whether he was really disappointed nc
one knows. Then he disappeared once
again, this time apparently for good
: for another took his position. Creditors
in alarming numbers suddenly bobbed
: up. To all which there was only thu
answer that he had left for parts un
known.
= Three weeks afterward Parker drop
d ped in from the skies, blandly soothet
d his worried friends and quieted hi
= ny hiOhcy pub ny tuih
IS Happening to drop in at the place o
If his old employment, he became engag
il ed in quarrel with the new workman
d who ordered him out, and to emphasiz
|. his words picked up mallet and wen
+ for Parker. Parker vacated. A da
If afterwards he informed his boarding.
2, house keeper that his mother was dea
" and he was going to attend her funeral
IS Happening to pass by Parker's roor
v door half hour later, the host hear
IS him merrily singing negro dialec
n song about his ''mudder in de cotto
I. iel pickin' cotton" whereupon the hos
" seriously doubted the gentleman's story
|. But Parker left that evening. Left to
8 without paying his landlord, his tailo
or his numerous other creditors.
So came and so went the inimitabl
Parker. His acquaintance was costl
ss to some, but amusing to more. Tn
n majority smiled and forgot.