The Washington herald., 1907-03-15
ALSO A GENTLEMAN.
BY LESLIE STEWART.

Dl LEOLlE
When Miss Irene Jackson left Columbus
Ohio. TO pay "a visit to her aunt at Hast
ings. New York, her mother gave her
many warnings. She was to look out for
collisions; she was to beware Of open
switches: she was to hold no converse
with either young or old men; she was
TO hang on to her purse she was to re-
gard any woman who might address her
as an adventures.
All but one of these instructions were
carefully followed by the nineteen-year-
old girl. She was somewhat surprised
and a good deal delighted to find herself
in New York City at last. and she brave
~ followed the crowd on TO the ferry
boat and landed at the foot OF Thirty
fourth street There she took cab for
the Grand Central depot II was only
when she got out that she found her
purse was missing. She remembered that
some one had crowded her as she got
of the ferryboat. but that bit Of news
didn't affect the hackman at all. He was
a married man with family Of seven
and he had 10 assist in supporting five
different saloons. so he wanted cash on
the nail. There were tears. but they did
not move him. He had often seen them at
home when he had reeied In on Saturday
night without cent in his pocket.
Miss Jackson couldn't pay the cabman,
and she couldn't buy ticket to Hastings.
and for ten minutes she felt as helpless
as a child. She was about 10 give the
cabman a diamond ring as security, when
young man of twenty-five stepped into
the breach. He had the long hair that
some professional men affect. and he had
the rusty clothes that other professional
men affect. but as for his heart, that ap-
paTently was pure gold. He stepped for
ward, paid the cabman, and told him to
be gone. The cabman smiled and winked
and drove away. Then the young man in
troduced himself as Prof Nordenfelt. of
Columbia College-a professor of Ian
guages. He asked the inestimable privi-
lege Of buying "a ticket TO Hastings for
the young lady He asked It because
some one had rescued his sister from just
such position in Chicago a few days be-
fore.
As soon as the young man announced
that ne was a professor. Miss Jackson
drew "A long breath of relief. She had
met but few OF them in her life. but she
knew them to be all right. Like "a sensi-
bic girl. she leaned on this one. She
wasn't even surprised when he said that
he was on mis- way up TO Irvington and
would take charge of her a. far as Hast
ings. She might have opened her eyes
had she seen him pay for both tickets out
Of her lost purse, and she might have
been most unhappy had she known that
he had her diamond brooch in view. but
as It was she felt nothing but glad relief.
They sat together on the train. Miss
Jackson told the professor all about Co
lumbus, and he told her all about Column
bia. He spoke seven different languages
and was learning seven others. The girl
had always heard that professors were
profound. absent-minded. and taciturn.
but she did not find this one so. He had
given her an address so that she might
return the money he had loaned her.
When Hastings was reached her graft
tude became profound. She insisted that
he stop over one train and allow her
aunt W tltclAlA itllls AAf CAttAINh lll a iuN
Gus way. thought over It for q moment
and then accepted the invitation.
The aunt was no spring chicken and
she was puzzled over the professor. At
first she set him down as a confidence
man, but HIS knowledge Of Columbia Col
lege and the seven languages upset this
theory. His manners were good and his
confirmed his assertions He
was finally accepted. repaid the loan. and
invited to call again The police will
never be able 70 satisfactorily explain to
themselves why Jimmy the Kid" as his
photograph in the rogues gallery was
labeled. should have made second and
d third visit to the house on the Hudson
It couldn't have been from a spirit Of
bravado. for Jimmy was sly. He couldn't
have been hit" for he was the one who
had robbed the girl or the ferryboat and
was still making use of her money.
For his second call. Jimmy had dressed
up a bit It helped him in one way and
him in another He didn't look
so much like a professor in his better
suit, but it did help his looks as a caller.
He was still interesting. too, and an hour
passed away. When he had departed and
the women had criticised him favorably,
the aunt said to Irene;
"A professor of languages must get
big salary in a college.
Surely he must"
He must be received in the best Of So
ciety?"
''Of course.
And he is probably rich?"
I don't doubt it.
Irene. wouldn't It be funny-wouldn'
It be odd-wouldn't It be romantic If
were to come of this?"
What kind of something, aunt?" asked |
the girl without blushing. There was a /
man in Columbus. To be sure he was not
4 ofessor-but-
Jimmy's third appearance was his last |
He announced that he had mastered one
more language, and would soon be ready +
10 tackle the ninth. He said something I
about his having helped to raise $4,000 1
10 erect new department at the univer- /
sity. and he mentioned that he had re- /
,eived an autograph letter from King Ed /
ward. These things were not stated in /
/ bOastful way They simply crept in in
'identally. II could not be said that Jim /
ny was seeking TO make an impression. /
)ut he made one for all that. and a fav- i
'rable one too. The only slip he made. /