Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1903-10-03
WHEN HE ARRIVED.

pervaded the classic halls Of the Silas
J. PeemIlier university The distin-
,guished scholar, Prof. Dobbs, who had
recently accepted the invitation OF the
faculty to fill the biological CHAIR. was
expected on the evening train, and the
preparations for his reception were
| elaborate. DR.. Quadrage, the president
Of the celebrated institution Of learn
ing, had bolted himself in mis- study
all morning brushing up his organic
chemistry and William, the coachman.
gardener, janitor gyp and general
handy man, had brushed up his some
what faded suit of livery and cleaned
his harness until It looked almost as
good as new Mrs Quadrage had also
done a little reaoyating in the silver
department. for there was to be tea
in honor of the professor and re-
ception later ON. and Peemiller intend
ed to do itself proud.
There's a grease spot on your
gown" remarked Mrs Quadrage, as
her imposing husband came into the
sitting-room an hour before train time
III you'll go down to the laboratory and
get me little ether I'll take it of for
you. | should think 1t high time you
dressed, anyway, If you're going down
to the station"
| I'm not, my dear" said the doctor.
ut looks as If 1t ysre going to storm
in fact. Ii is raining little now
and I can't afford to take any chances
with my asthma. | think I'll let Will
/ J,.gu nj II
He can explain, and | don't think the
| professor will be offended. though they
say he is most eccentric man"
| The threatened storm came in ear
nest some time before the arrival of the
! train. and William was obliged to hide
the glories of his livery beneath a rub
| Der coat and his hat within cover of
waterproof fabric The carriage. too,
that he had taken so much pains with
was splashed with mud from top to
bottom. and the horse looked nar.icu-
larly detected as William hitched him
| to ring in the platform.
well" said William. LODGING
around, hes in luck TO get anythin'
evenin' like this see they amt
even drove the hotel bus down Won
der what kind O. lookin' Teller he is
| The works says he's queer actin
Well here's the train. anyway"
The train slid In through the storm
as he spoke, and tall man in black
got out struggling with two valises
William noted the leanness of him. the
long inair flowing luxuriantly over Lis
coat collar and the academic spectacles
he wore, and accosted him. as this
the professor" he asked
"Sure!" replied the gentleman adj
dressed "Who are your"
81 came down to meet you" said
William. "Let me carry them valises
for you. Hurry along, sir, If you
please, or you'll get wet"
"Strike gait then" said the pro.
fessor. THAT the rig7 Well, guess
that's poor! Chuck the valises on
| top; they're waterproof, and the rain
won't hurt EN- Hold on! Here's an
other guy drifting along. Hadn't you
better take him into the ark. too? no?
Well, just as you say, colonel. Let
'em go"
William turned the horse and
touched him with the whip AS he
drove off he heard a shout and saw
the second passenger standing on the
station platform with the baggageman,
waving an umbrella.
mot much" said William to him
self. 81 amt drivin no public hack.
right about the professor" he contin-
ued; hes queer actin, all right"
In few minutes they were at the
end of the little business street and
began to pass between rail fences.
Suddenly William heard a violent
pounding on the glass. The professor
was motioning to him.
Here" he cried, when William had
pulled up; where in the nation and
Sam Hin are you driving me to. pal?
You've passed the hotel haven't you?"
'Yessir," said William. but"
"But nothing. You jerk that old
clothes rack around and get back to the
hotel That's where | want to go. I
don't want no pleasant country drive.
Hike. now! Don't chew the rag with
me"
His manner was so fierce and per-
emptory that William, inwardly mar
yelling, could 90 nothing but obey 1t
had stopped raining by this time, and
as the professor got out he seemed
struck by a sudden idea "Ain't you
runnin' for this joint?" he asked.
mo sir" replied William. THAT is,
don't know as | quite understand.
I'm from the college"
MY old college chum." said the pro-
fessor. Nov, what's the damage.
Gully? Free? Well get off your perch
and como in and take a drink"
Most remarkable" calculated Pres
ident Quadrage. when William told his
story. "InexplIcable! Most extraordi-
nary behavior! I don't understand il
II all. William. am afraid that you
have been drinking l detect an odor."
II know it. sir" owned William,