The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1903-05-14
THE PILGRIM STAR
BY HARRY KING TOOTLE.
Copyright, 1905. by Daily Story Pub. Coz

.
THERE was one point on which Prof.
/ Lysander Muller was firm; his
daughter should marry no man who
was not an astronomer, and, further
more, he must be an astronomer of
more than ordinary ability.
About this time Prof. Muller be-
gan the monumental work which was
to p~erpetuate his name to posterity.
1t was nothing less than a photo
graphic chart Of the heavens. He
found that this would be neces-
sary to employ an assistant. The
fact was mentioned casually in Lou
ise's presence; five days later a
young man arrived from New York
and applied for the position. After
a brief examination Mr.. Harvey Wads-
worth vas engaged as assistant as
tronomer.
Harvey Wadsworth told little about
himself o. his intentions. A change
took place after his arrival; Louise
often visited the observatory to
watch the progress of the stars, and
to study astronomy under his tutel-
age. The interest which the pro-
fessor had tried in vain to awaken
was aroused by his assistant.
Al the while Prof. Muller was
blind to what went on under his
very eyes,, and the love-making pro-
crossed undisturbed. The day final
ly came when Wadsworth, aided and
abetted by Louise, boldly asked the
astronomer for his daughters hand.
Prof. Muller manifested a mild sur
prise, and declared hat it was out
of the question. He explained that
he was anxious for his daughter to
marry an astronomer.
Am I not an astronomer" de-
manded the sutton.
you know the first principles, but
not enough to satisfy me. Wait a
few years until I can see what you
can do"
Wadsworth stormed and ragged,
Louise begged and pleaded, but the
astronomer was obdurate. In the end
it "a agreed that nothing more was
to be said about marriage until Har-
- hoo uoAS l. ClA4AS W111NA "ou1U
give him a reputation and stamp him
as an astronomer.
Wadsworth and Miss Muller waited;
but a reputation is an elusive thing.
At last aid came from an unexpect-
ed quarter. Just why the sun took
it into it's head to last a shadow
on an insignificant speck of an is
land II miles long and six miles
broad in the southern Pacific no one
eve knew; but such was the case,
and the United States government
found it necessary to observe it. The
government sent Prof. Muller in
charge of the expedition which Wis.
tied Easter island for the purpose of
observing an eclipse. Considerable
pressure had been brought to bear
to make him accept the post, for he
was loath to leave his observatory and
his stellar chart; but at last he was
prevailed upon to go. AS far as the
mechanical details were concerned,
Wadsworth could manage the OBJ
%servntory as well as he could. All
thai was necessary was to point the
telescope at that part of the heavens
which was being mapped, to arrange
the Photographic attachment prop
erly, and, after the desired exposure,
to develop the plate.
Calling his family around him, his
wife, his daughter, and his prospec-
tive son-in-law, Prof. Muller deliy-
cred his orders, from which there was
no appeal, Just before embarking.
~"SoHise," began the professor,
abruptly, "do you love Harvey?"
"Oh, father! I love him more than
I car eve tell"
Harvey, do YOU love Louise?"
"Prof. Muller replied Harvey.
with f~ervor, 81 love her far better
than she says she loves me-"
'Mother," said the professor, as
calmly as if he were discussing the
weather, when Harvey has shown
what he can do as an astronomer
they shall marry, but not till then.