Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1919-08-28
His Specimen
II
By LINCOLN ROTHBLUM
Copyright. 1919, by the Mcclure News
per SyndicAte)

Prof. Duncan Parminter sat down
TO breakfast and glanced at the mail
lying just to the right of his COFFEE.
The frock coat and somber tie of
black silk ineffectiyely COPIED with the
clear eyes and too-well-forIned lips,
and the Wilderness OF the collar
sharply contrasted with the black hair
which persisted IN curling about the
ears and along the nape of the neck
Good morning, Duncan" was the
smiling greeting of his mother, very
maternal sort Of woman what do
you see to smile at in that letter?
Enough for two TO smile at?"
He handed 1t to her and she read
aloud;
"hrof Duncan Parminter City.
Recognizing your knowledge and
ability along The lines of this eommit-
tees activities, you have been selected
to conduct it's Investigations with par
tcular reference To the public dance
han evil Mail the result Of your
findings TO the morals Investigating
committee.
Respectfully
CELIA DOANE."
Cecilia Doanc," Mrs. Pmminter re-
peated, 81 met her some time ago and
she is wonder She is the type Of
girl | should like to see you marry"
The professor raised his hands in
silent protest. The kind OF girl his
mother approved was not an infre-
quent topic of discussion between
them When he gave the matter any
thought privately he felt that he leaned
toward celihacy.
We'll You must marry some time.
Duncms" she reiterated, "and this in
vestigat.on business may heg you TO
appreciate girl like Celia Doane.
Go this very evening to the Palace
hall and see conditions there"
The professor acknowledged accept
anCc Of the commission, and accord
ingly that evening, it had scarcely
turned O'Clock, when he approached
the entrance to the Palace hall, far
ingly resplendent in a maze of multi
colored electric lights.
He entered the hall. He was alone.
Was not this the right place? Down
the aisle he noticed an attendant. her
jaws working rhythmically on gum
which to sustain the truth of its adj
vertiSing that the flavor was perma-
nent, still cast forth its scented sweet
ness. The professor wished he had
the temerity 10 speak. He would In
guire II this perhaps were n dun
night.
sure you don't mean TO stand there
and tell me you've never been to this
here place before do yuh? Nav the
crowd don't get together till nearly
10"
The professor felt himself properly
rebuled for his ignorance of SO well-
known custom and passed hurriedlY
on in direct line for a chair he had
eSpied IN a far corner. lie did not
know how long he had remained in
this semi-consCinuS sgclusion when tie
music With a tremendous bang from
the drummer suddenly set into mo-
tion innuneruhlc couples on the floors
center II was good crowd
The professor felt her coming To-
vard him ANA arose 10 escape Eut
She interpreted hts move as an adj
vance ana thrusung her arm through
- with good.natured comaraderie.
Snuggled mp close To him.
Hello, Cutey; muslc'S swell TO
night; uint itt'
~ he tried tn determine how he
could most automatically correct her
Imperfect English, he found himself
on the other side of the ropes with
the girl. To him roped-ln place al
ways suggested prize lighting. The
professor did not know very much
about dancing, and within few mo-
mvnlS the girl knew he didn't. She
had no bc>itancy in telling him So
II guess you amt had 50 much