The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1904-02-03
8 MgISgCHH.AANEl'S Mg ! S !! G I !! | ;
L MEF T

in the orchestra at the Globe thea
ter when the door of residence he
was passing opened and a man in
evening dress rushed out and, seiz-
ing the professor, begged him to
come in. Smythe told his necessity
Of earning his evenings wages.
81 will pay you twice as much,
and you will have nothing to do but
make yourself agreeable. 1t will be
a great accommodation, and 1 shall
never forget it. ] can see by your
appearance that you are a gentle
man. Consider me friend and ac-
ccpt my offer"
''But what service is required of
me?" asked the professor, who had
a vague idea that a grand piano had
suddenly gone wrong.
"Why, you see, am giving a din
ner to some friends. 1t is all on
the table, and we have just discov-
cred that there are thirteen of us.
That would never do at all. Now,
if you will dine with US, you shall
be well paid for your services, and
1 dare say you will be in time for
your flute solo at the theater, as
you can be excused when you de-
sire. You will come? Thanks!"
The professor followed his host
in state of absolute subiection, as
if he might have been hypnotized,
but the fact was that the poor man
had not broken his fast since morn
ing, and the delicious aroma of the
dinner coming through the open
door proved irresistible. He gave his
name in whisper and was handed
over to servant, who took him up
stairs into guest chamber, helped
him remove his shabby overcoat
and whisked off his best suit with a
silver handled brush, taking it's
threadbare CLINT for dust. 1t was
well he was engaged to play; other
wise he would not have been in
evening dress. He was beginning
to enjoy the little comedy in which
he was himself an actor.
There was no introduction. His
host motioned him to seat be-
tween the maiden lady and q severe
matron who turned her silken back
on him to talk to her neighbor on
the other side. The professors
pride did not once assert itself. He
was masquerading; that was all.
But fate had not done with Pro-
fessor Smythe.
The consomme had dash of
champagne in it, and new life was
Infused into the veins of this pro-
fessional diner out. The fish and
game and pate that followed were
all triumphs of the culinary art, and
the hungry man cloyed the edge of
his appetite, not by the bare mag
ination Of a feast, but by the feast
itself. It was no feast of the Bar
mecide either, for the viands were
actual, and the wine was not pre-
tense, but a delightful vintage,
served in cut glass goblets The
poor professor felt like saying to
his neighbor, "Pinch mew for it
was like dream or an illusion rath-
er than q reality.
But the striking Of the clock re-
minded him that he had been there
an hour, and as. he had broken the
spell of the unlucky thirteen he ven
tured to excuse himself and rose
stiffaay from mis- place and bowed
himself out of the room.
He was followed by servant,
who handed him an envelope with
the compliments of the gentleman
with whom he had just dined. Not
for worlds would he have opened it,
though it was unsealed, before the
man, but he accepted it graciously
and went upstairs to get his hat
and overcoat unattended.
a number OF handsomely appoint
ed chambers were on the upper hall,
and the professor glanced into each
as he passed on his way to the par
ticular guest chamber where he had
left his belongings. Perhaps he
was trifie overcome by sherry and
other beverages, but he thought the
room had been darkened and that he
was right. He stood "a moment in
the doorway and looked cautiously
in, peering about at the luxury, but
at the same time noting that it was
not the dressing room for which he
was looking. Before he could step
back and turn down the corridor
again the unexpected Happened. He
received sudden and violent push
from behind, which flung him for
ward out Of the doorway into the
room; the door was instantly locked
upon him, and he was a prisoner.
1Smythe lucki r. said the poor man
as he tried in vain to open the door
and knew by the rumpus he could
hear outside that the house was in
a state Of excitement. ri suppose
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