Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1919-05-23
His Specimen
r.
By LINCOLN ROTHBLUM
(Copyright. 1919. by tho Mcclure News
per Syndicate.)


Prof. Duncan Parminter sat down
to breakfast and glanced ut the mail
lying just to the right of his coffee.
The frOck coat and somber tie nf
black silk ineffectively COPIED with the
clear eyes and too-well-formed lips,
and the whiteness 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. u 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:
prof. Duncan Parminter. City.
"Recognizing your knowledge and
ability along the lines of this commit
tees activities, you have been selected
to conduct Its investigations with par
ticular reference to the public dance
hall evil. Mail the result Of your
findings to the morals investigating
committee.
heSpect1ully,
CELIA DOANE."
Cecilia Doane," Mrs. Parminter re-
peated. II met her some time ago and
she Is a wonder. She is the type Of
girl I 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-
~
them. When he gave the matter any
thought privately he felt that he leaned
toward celibacy.
"Well, you must marry some time,
Duncan" she reiterated, land this In
vestigation business may help you to
appreciate a girl like Celia Doane.
Go this very evening to the Palace
hall and see conditions there"
The professor acknowledged accept
ance 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 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 it's adj
vertising that the flavor was perma-
nent, still cast forth it's scented sweet
ness. The professor wished he had
the temerity to speak. He would in
quire If this perhaps were a dull
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
TO-"
The professor felt himself properly
rebuffed for his ignorance of SO we'll
known a custom and passed hurriediy
cspied in far corner. He did not
know how long he had remained in
this semi-cOnSciOuS secluSiOn when the
music. with n tremendous bang from
the drummer, suddenly set into mo-
ton innumerable couples on the floors
center. 1t was good crowd.
The professor felt her coming to-
ward him and arose to escape. But
she interpreted his move as m ad-
vance. and thrustinS her arm through
his with good-natured comnraderie,
snuggled UP close to him.
"Hello. Cutey; music's swell to-
night; amt it?"
AS ne tried to determine how he
could most automatically correct her
imperfect English. lie found himself
on the other side Of the ropes with
the girl. TO him Il roped-in place al.
ways suggested prize fighting. The
professor did not know very much
about dancing, and within few mo-
mcnts the girl knew he didn't. She
had no hesitancy in telling him so.
IL guess you ain't had so much
practice i'm dancn'. Let's sit out"
And with sure step she guided linn
safely through the maze Of dancers
and deposited him In his corner. "Yon
look bctier'n you can dance" and with
the parting thrust she was gone. The
professor regretted her hasty dcpar-
ture. He wanted to learn the name
of the sopOrific perfume she cXuded
and he did want to.tell her that her pet
ticOat showed.
The professor suddenly remembered
In all such reports mention must be
mnde of the attitude Of the girls and
men toward each other, and lie would
investigate one particular individual
as n specimen. There was girl who
did not seem so-er-brazen. He
would investigate her, and summoned
courage to approach.
mo, I don't care to dance"
The professor w6s very sorry
! Would she care TO sit out? And MS ht
led her to his corner, he secretly com
/ plimented himself on his rare judg