The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-04-13

pc, we were grayely concerned on learning
that It was our duty to entertain the dis
tinguished scholar, for our pride was chss-
tened By anxiety. Ills name was carried
far and wide on the wings of fame. and
even learned people referred to him with
reverence in the tone, because it was sup
posed there was almost nothing within the
range Of languages and philosophy ard the
oiegy which he did not know, and that if
there happened to be any obscure depart
ment he had not yet overtaken. he would
likely be on the way TO its conquest. We
speculated what he would be llke-having
only heard rumors-and whether ne would
be strangely clothed. we discussed what
kind of company could gather 10 meet
such a man, and whether we ought not,
that is the two trembling heads OF the
household, to read up some subject before
hand that we might be able at least to.
know where he was if we could not follow
him. And we were haunted with the re-
membrance of a literary woman who once
condescended to live with US for two days,
and whose conversation was so exhausting
that we took it in turns, like the watch
on board ship, one standing on the bridge
with the spindrift of quotations flying over
his head and the other snatching few
storm. That overwhelming lady was only
the oracle of a circle after all, but our
coming visitor was known to the ends OF
the earth.
1t was my place to receive him at the
station, and. pacing up and down the plat
form, turned over in my mind appropriate
subjects for conversation in the cab. and
determined TO lure the great man into a
discussion OF the work OF an eminent Ok
ford philosopher which had just been pub
Iished, ard which 1 knew something about.
j had just arranged a question which
intended TO submit for his considerat ton,
when the express came in, and 1 FASTENED
down the first-class carriages TO identify
the great man. High and mighty people,
clothed in purple and fine linen, or what
corresponds to such garments in our coun-
try, were descending in troops, with serv-
ants and porters waiting upon them. but
there was person that suggested a
scholar. He had in the multitude of his
thoughts, forgotten his enga cement alto
gether, or had he left the train at some
stopping place and allowed it to go with
out him?-anything is possible with such a
learned man.
Then 1 saw a tall and venerable figure
descend from a third-class compartment
end u whole company of genuine third
classers'' handing out his luggage while
h took the moss affectionate farewell Of
them. A working man got out to deposit
the scholars Gladstone bag upon the plat
form while his wife passed out his UNI
brella. and another working man handled
delicately a parcel OF books The scholar
shook hands with everyone Of his fellow
passengers, including children, and then
presented myself, and looked him in the
face. He rather six feet in
height, and erect as a saping. dressed in
old-fashioned and well-brushed black
clothes, and his face placed me imme-
dia.ely at ease. for though it massive
-renSIgrave, Tith deep lines. and crowned
witH~Ohck white hair, his eyes were so
friendly and sincere, had such an ex-
preston of modesty and affection that
even then. and on the first experience. 1
forgot the gulf between Us. Next instant
and almost before / had mentioned my
name, he seized me by the hand and
thanked me for my coming.
This, my good sir he said, with his
old-fashioned courtesy. +is a kindness
which I never for an instant anticipated.
and when 1 remember your many i'm
portant engagements importantly and the
sacrifice which this gracious act (graciousD
must have entailed upon you. 1 feel this
20 be an honor an honor, sir for which
you will accept this expression of graft
tude"
It seemed as If there must have been
something wrong in our imagination of a
great mans manner; and when he insisted,
beyond my preventing, in carrying his bag
himself and would only allow me. with
many reronstrances, to relieve him OF the
books; when / had difficulty in persuading
him to enter a cab, because he was anx-
ious to walk TO our house, our fancy por-
trait had almost disappeared. Before leav-
frg the platform he had interviewed the
guard and thanked him by both word and
deed for certain gracious and mindful
attentions in the course Of the journey"
Ny wife acknowledged that she had been
waiting to give the great man afternoon
tea. in fear and trembling. but there was
something about him wiRsOme that she
did not need even to study my face, but
felt at once that however trying writing
women ard dilletante critics might be, one
could be at home with chief scholar.
When L described the guests who were
coming TO meet him at dinner-such emf
nent persons as 1 could catherine was
overcome by the trouble We had taken.
but also alarmed lest he should be hardly
fit for their company. being. as he ex-
planned himself, a man much restricted in
knowledge through the just burden OF pro-
fessional studies. And before he went 10
his room 10 dress he had struck up an
acquaintance with the youngest member
of the family. who seemed to have for
gotten that our guest was a very great
man. and had visited a family of Japanese
mice with evident satisfaction. During
dinner he was so conscious of his pow
erty OF attainment i'm the presence of so
many distinguished people that he would
say very little. but listened greedily TO
everything that fell from the lips of a
young oxford man, who had taken fair
dsEree and knew everything. After din
nsr we wiled him into a field where very
few men have gone. and where he was
supposed 20 know everything that could
be known; and then, being once started.
ne spoke for forty minutes 10 our huge de-
light with such fulness and accuracy OF
knowledge with such lucidity and pur-
ity OF speech-allowing for the old-fash-
toned style-that even the oxford man was
silent and admired. Once and again he
stopped TO qualify his statement OF some
other scholars position. lest he should have
done him injustice, and In the end he be-