Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1904-03-17
A MUSICIANS THEFT.

a MOSlClANS ! EEF l.
Professor Smythe, an impoverished
musician, was on his way to play in
the orchestra at the Globe thester
when the door of residence he was
passing opened and a man in evening
dress rushed out and, 'eizng the pro-
f-ssor begged him to come in Smythe
told his necessity of earning his even
iug's wages.
Il viii pay you twice as much, and
you will have nothing to do but make
yourself agreeable. It will be great
accommodation, and l shall never for
get it. I can see by your appearance
that you are a gentleman. Consider
me friend aud accept my offer "
But what service is required Of
me p asked the professor, who had a
vague idea that a grand piano had
suddenly gone wrong
"Why, you see, l am giving din
ner to some friends 1t is all on the
table, and we have just discovered
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 dare say
YOU VII be in time for your flute solo
at the theater, as you can be excused
when you desire You will come I?
Thanks ~
The professor followed his host in
state of absolute subjection, as if he
might have been hypnotized, but the
fact was that the poor man had not
broken his fast since morning, and the
delicious aroma of the dinner coming
through the open door proved irresis-
/
tble. He gave his name in whis-
per and was handed over to a servant
who took him up stairs into guest
chamber, helped him remove his
shabby overcoat and whisked off his
best suit with silver handled brush,
taking its threadbare CLINT for lust.
1t was well he was engaged to play /;
otherwise 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 a seat between
the maiden lady and a 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 masquer,
= aiding that was all.
But fate had not done with Profes-
sor Smythe.
The consomme had dash of cham
pagne in it, and new life was infused
into the veins of this professional di-
ner ont The fish and game and pate
that followed were all triumphs Of
the culinary art, and the hungry man
cIoyed the edge of his appetite, not
by the bare imagination Of feast,
but by the feast itself. 1t was no
feast of the Barmecide. either, for the
viands were actual, and the wine was
not pretense, but a delightful vim
tage, served in cut glass goblets The
poor professor felt like saying to bic
neighbor, Pinch mel" for it was like
a dream or an illusion rather than a
reality.
But the striking of the clock re-
minding him that he had broken the
spell of the unlucky thirteen, he ven
tured to excuse himself and rose siifly
from bis place and bowed himself out
of the room.
He was followed by a servant, who
handed him an envelope with the
compliments of the gentleman with
whom he had Just dined. Not fol
worlds would be have opened it,
though it was unsealed, before the
man, but be accepted it graciously
and went upstairs to get his hat and
overcoat unattended.
A number of handsomely appointed
chambers were on the upper hall, and
the professor glanced into each as he
passed on his way to the particular
guest chamber where he had left biz
belongings Perhaps he was trife
overcome by the 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 al
the same time noting that it was not