Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-01-22
SUNDAY MAGAZINE FOR JANUARY II. 1911

calmly, as not in the habit of keeping all its
money at Eldara station. 1t doesn't keep
very much money here at all. | never take
in very much, and never have to pay out
any. | don't sell more than about one
ticket month, and never need more than
a dollar in change. Nobody around here
ever has more than dollar.
"But what am | going to doo' said the
professor, suddenly feeling uncomfortable.
place to stay; and | can't get away, because
l haven't currency enough to buy ticket"
"Wait a minute said the agent. "My
instrument is calling me-"
THE professor waited. Presently the
agent rose from his table and walked
over to the ticket window. A piece of yellow
paper was in his hand.
ats telegram for you, he said @There's
twenty-five cents charges on it.
James Carlton Brown pulled silver quar-
ter from his pocket and handed it to the
agent. Then he took the message. 1t was
from his wife.
You made mistake lit RAM. You should
have gone to Eldora.
The professor read the telegram over
twice. His expression was not an exceed
ingly pleasant one.
The message did not call for an answer;
but Brown was thoroughly acquainted with
his wife He knew from past experience
that if he didn't answer her message she
would keep on telegraphing until he did. So
he wrote an answer. He made it as brief as
he could; but it cost him another quarter.
know made mistake Che wred).
Professor Brown of the Upper Indiana
University did not wait for the agent to send
his message. He walked out of the shanty
and sought sanctuary in the shade OF pile
of ties He wanted to think, and he thought
he could think to much better advantage if
he was entirely alone.
He sat there for sometime, for fully half
an hour. Then he rose YEARLY, and YEARLY
made his way back into the shanty.
"How far is it, he asked meekly, ITO the
nearest bank?"
"Let's see," replied the agent. "Theres
bank at Grassdale. That's eight miles from
here"
"And the fare?" asked Brown anxiously.
Sixteen cents" said the agent.
James Carlton Brown slipped hand
slowly into pocket and presently he drew
it slowly out again. His only remaining
quarter was clutched between his thumb
and forefnger. As his eyes fell on the coin,
he drew long breath, and something very
much akin to smile overspread his face.
@Then," he said, 3you may give me
ticket" But the agent was already NOV
ing toward his telegraph table.
After awhile the sounder ceased and the
agent laid down his pen. took blotter, and
dried the ink on the paper. Then he rose,
took the yellow slip in his fingers, and ap-
preached Brown.
dts another telegram for you,' he said,
"and it came c. 0. D. twenty-five cents"
The professor sighed. Then he dropped
the quarter weakly on the shelf, reached out
feeble hand, and took the telegram. 1t
was from his wife.
didn't know you knew you had made a
mistake lit read.
Professor James Carlton Brown of the
chair of zoology and natural history in the
Upper Indiana University folded the tele-
gram methodically and placed it in his
pocket. Then he took his umbrella in one
hand and his little grip in the other and
walked out of the shanty.
FIFTEEN minutes later the agent found
: him sitting in the shade of the ties. His
eyes were downcast, his chin was resting in
his hand, and his thin features were over
spread by settled melancholy.
well" said the agent cheerfully, whats
the matter?'
Professor James Carlton Brown raised
his eyes slowly and looked solemnly at the