Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1902-09-17
Tle 1'laVilg Of The Professor.
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The professor was young and ne
looked still younger. He was ashamed
of his Juvenile appearance. He felt
that it consortsd poorly with his seri-
Gus calling. To be professor of Eng
lish literature at an old and well en-
dowed college at twenty-seven was
fact to be proud of, but the professor
felt that his age was not thing
that should be faunted in the faces
of the ndergraduates-nor in the
. faces of his grave and reverend SEN
iors of the faculty. So he decided to
assume the characteristics Of an age
more in harmony with his official dig
. nifty. He affected black garments OF
severe cut. He wore straight band col
lars with narrow black ties. He decked
his head with a stiff hat of unusual
height of crown.
Added to this outward semblance OF
severity to temperament, the professor
cultivated an artificial manner Of
speech and an angular gait, both tend
ing to convey the impression that he
was person of mature contempt Tor
the glibness and friskiness of youth.
The professor was born actor, and
he somewhat enjoyed this make-be-
heve existence After while it be-
came second nature and was no longer
task. There were times, of course,
when he longed to throw off these arti-
.ficial shackles and be his true self
again-and this longing was especial
a@ly strong when pretty Mabel Benham
rallied him on his mournful air. Pret-
ty Mabel never seemed to have the
proper appreciation of his dignity. She
was in the senior class of the woman's
collee. annex of the university, and the
professor boarded with his mother. He
had come to the city with letters of
introduction to this estimable LADY,
and she had promptly offered him
home.
81 wonder" said pretty Mabel to her
mother after one unusually elevating
course of dinner talk, "how long 1t
took Prof. Philips to acquire that lab
ored style of his?"
"It doesn't seem quite natural" said
her mother. But think he enjoys it."
He had been with them nearly four
mouths, when one afternoon some
body rang the bell. The maids were
busy elsewhere, so Mabel opened the
door. She found the caller was hand
some young man, very neatly dressed,
and very correct in department.
81 beg your pardon" he said, es he
gracefully raised his hat, "but is this
the home of Mr.. Jim Phillips, l should
say Prof. James Phillips?
eyes," replied Mabel, but the pro-
fessor is out just at present. He has
goneto the public library. but will re-
turn soon. Will you come in and wait
for him?"
Thank you, I will" said the
stranger. 81 have come all the way
from Chicago to see Jim, and l can't
afford to miss him." He followed Mabel
into the parlor and took the seat she
pointed out. "Jim and are old chums,"
he went ont. "We we.e quite insep-
arabic in college, bnt Turing the last
few Years have drifted apart. Is he
well and happy?'
.".He is well, I'm sure" replied Mabel.
"But I'm afraid he doesn't look quite
as happy as he might"
And the wicked girl INDUCED in an
inward giggle.
That's strange said the caller.
"What's the trouble? Isn't b, giving
satisfaction"
ooh, yes" replied Mabel; "every-
body says he's rising man. You
know he's one of the very youngest
professors in the country"
"It can't be financial difficulties"
said the stranger. Perhaps he's in
love?"
"oh, no." said Mabel; "hes much
too dignified to think Of anything so
trifling."
"Jim Phillips dignifed!" cried the
stranger. Pardon me, but that's too
good!" And he laughed merrily.
pray excuse me-" said Mabel, as
she backed toward the door. The
stranger Strengthened his face and
arose as she left the apartment. But
as she passed down the hall she heard
him softly laughing again:
Mother" said Mabel as soon as she
reached her parent, there's an ele-
CANT young man in the parlor and he's
come all the way from Chicago, and
he knows everything about the profess
sor, and calls him Jim, and laughs at
his being dignified, and we must ask
him to stay to dinner"
"But, really, DEAR" said the moth
er, "the professor might not like it."
cru take the chances" cried Mabel.
Don't you see? This is an opportunity
for lifting the veil Of the professors
past And she darted back to the
parlor.
~-."If you have no other engagement"
she said in her prettiest manner, my
mother would be pleased to have you
remain tc dinner"
MY only engagement is 10 meet my
old friend said the stranger. Pray
thank your mother, and tell her ac-
cept her invitation with much pleas
ure"
Just then a latchkey ratified in the
door and the professor entered. He had
to pass the parlor on his way to the
stairs, and hearing slight move
ment he looked il.
why, Billy!" he cried, and sprang
forward.
And the last thing Mabel saw as she
slipped away was the two men wildly
shaKing hands and humping each 9TH
er on the breast.
They had quieted down when Male
and her mother came to announce din
ner, but the professor colored up when,
bo 1odioc