Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1902-03-06
THE LION
IOriginal.l

ANNAh NoAlAl1S lhC VI
dinner. 1t was one of the first dinner
parties to which was invited, for /
had not been "out" more than two
weeks. The dinner was given to a
distinguished chemist, Jared Holmes,
Phi. D., and I expected a very slow
time; but, looking about me, was
much relieved 10 see that among the
guests there were many young people.
l was assigned as dinner companion
to young fellow apparently not much
older than myself, to my disappoint-
ment, for was quite ambitious to as
sociate with older men. The hostess
brought him up to me- said something
which | did not hear and hurried away.
AS the dining room doors We're opened
at the same moment, knew he was to
take me in to dinner.
where is the lion?" l asked as soon
as we We're seated at table.
''The lion? What lion?"
THE lion of the evening, Jared
Holmes, Phi. D. so it read on the invi-
tations. | suppose he has been study
ing so hard all his life and is so filled
with learning that he can't be depend
ed on for such frivolous affairs as din
hers. Perhaps he's forgotten all about
this one
is he an old manY' asked my COM
panion.
old? He must be. How could he
have accomplished so much if he is not
old? They say his income is thou
sand dollars day. l wish had some
of it,
You might marry him."
81 marry him? Why, Pm only eight
Gen."
young girls often marry old men for
their money"
mo rich old man for me- thank you;
better a young one with poverty"
AT that moment tall, grizzly head
ed gentleman Of intellectual appear
ance entered There was hush in
the conversation till he was seated,
when the chat was resumed.
Il suppose that's he?" l said.
'"The lion you have been talking
about?''
"Of course"
II can't see if he has tail. but be
certainly has no mane."
'This comes of being placed with
boy" grumbled to myself. suppose
the remark was intended for some
thing especially brilliant. l maintain
ed reserved silence. l did not care
to encourage him in such talk by APP
pearing to be amused at it. But, as he
did not appear anxious to resume the
conversation, l did so myself. have
always been fond Of talking, and on
this occasion t1attered myself that l
talked well. l first took up such topics
as would interest boy-football, ten
mis-, locomobiles, etc.-intending grad
ually to lead him on to more substan-
tial subjects. When l got to automo-
biles, happened to remark that
liked the electric vehicle best, but
didn't think would want one till they
were made lighter.
They'll not soon be lighter" he
said.
"Why not?"
"The electricity is generated by
means of lead, and lead is very heavy"
Indeed" remarked, my breath
quite taken away by this sudden dis
play Of erudition. care you in col
lege?"
ooh. no. What made you think
that?"
you look about the college age.
Besides. from your remark thought
you might be attending lectures on
chemistry
You flatter me as to my youthful
appearance. l am older than I look"
'"Then you must be graduate"
"Oh, yes. escaped from classic
walls several years ago."
"Why do you say escaped?" 1 asked.
"Well, colleges are impractical, the
oretical places where no one knows
anything except what he learns from
books"
Well, never! The chattering young
idiot! To think Of the conceit of him,
setting himself up to know more than
the professors!
what did you learn from when
you We're in college?"
81 learned the rudiments from the
professors and the books. The rest I
got from mingling with promiscuous
lot of young fellows"
1.-The rudiments! A number of my
girl friends are in college. don't
think they consider what they are
learning the rudiments."
To this he made no reply. He was
listening, very impolitely, to something
that was said by the lady seated on his
left.
During the rest of the dinner l made
up my mind to let him do the talking.
1t was some time before got him
started, but when succeeded he talk
ed delightfully."-. Everything he said he
made so clear and yet without making
1t appear that my intelligence was not
up to the mark that not only under
stood, but was charmed with every
thing he said.
Doctor" said a gentleman opposite,
twill you kindly give us brief defini-
fion Of fha Drinoinlo of cnacfrum ana ly.