The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1921-03-17
A Mistake in
Rolls
BY MURIEL BLAIR
o. 1891. Western Newspaper Union }


"And / am sure that 1t WILL" de-
clared Algernon Barclays sister.
Don't you think so, Irma?"
"He certainly deserves the best the
world can give him." answered
Adolphus Barclays fiancee, blushingly
sweet as her eyes answered the deep
love light in his own.
"Wel we win soon know" pro-
claimed Adolphus himself where is
my manuscript All, here. Cood-by,"
and kissing all three of tine best
friends a young man ever had, the
hope Of the Barclay family made a
rush for the railroad depot.
A year out Of college, critic and au-
thority on ancient literature, Adolphus
was striving hard to win the tutelary
plum of Harris college. 1t was a two
thousand dollars per year position,
with perquisites. In case he won it,
there would be a wedding, a family
removal, and he would feel settled for
life.
Adolphus had appeared before the au-
gust college faculty and had read his
paper on Egyptian poetry. He had
made a hit. 1t seemed as If his posi-
ton was assured. A few days later,
however, the president Of Harris wrote
him to come down with something
bright and interesting, and give the
students a sample of his erudition.
~ understand a good many wealthy
men send their sons to Harris"
Adolphus explained to his mother. 81
suppose the college heads wish to
cater to them. If l make a favorable
impression on the students, I fancy
I will be acceptable all around"
The result was the manuscript In
the black leather roll which Adolphus
now carried. 1t dealt with ancient
romance, precisely the thing to suit a
lot Of young fellows, he decided.
Adolphus caught the train just In
time, threw his roll up in the car rack,
and sank into his seat to move along
to make room for a second hurry-up.
This traveller also carried a manuscript
roll, the exact counterpart of that be-
longing to Adolphus. He likewise
tossed this into the rack, and smiled
broadly as he said
"MusicW I
"Oh, no." replied Adolphus-'lec-
ture."
hin; SOP Further coincidence.
Same line. Shake"
81 am a professional humorist," he
told Adolphus. Bound for Dunkard
settlement at Jackson"
They became so companiOnable that
the train was starting up from a stop
before the humorist was aware that
it was his station.
"See you again." he said grabbing
for his manuscript roll and rushing
for the depot platform.
In due time Adolphus arrived at the
college town
Adolphus assembled to the rostrum
and opened his manuscript roll. His
audience was suspiciously quiet.
81 am at your service this evening,
gentlemen" he began, with a brief
talk on the"
There Adolphus gasped. His eyes
stared at the neatly typewriter pages
before him. He was electrified The
room swan. He paed, he trembled
The manuscript before him was not his
own In his hurry in leaving the train
the humorist had grabbed up the
wrong manuscript roll.
1t was the crucial critical moment
in the life Of Adolphus. In despera-
tlon he called out husklly:
"The subject of my lecture is The
Jokes Of the Ancients.'
"Goodw "Neww "GIve us a sam
pie" and like eager and urgent calls
filled the air.
Adolplus began to read. He had
not proceeded ten lines before he real
tied that the humOrlst was an adept
In his line.
The jokes were funny, but there
was an added zest to the appreclative-
ness Of the audience. This was the
solemn, OWl-like seriousness Of the lee
turer To Adolphus 1t was no fun.
With wild whoops the crowd made
n rush Tor Adolphus as he folded up
his manuscript. Four stalwart fellows
raised him on their shoulders. Amid
gay hurrahs they started from the
room with him.
Gentleman gentleman repri-
mnnded a stentoran voice as they
reached the doorway, and the presl-
dent Of the college halted the crowd.
"It's all right, PreX," declared the
rlngleader of the riot "We'ye elected
him our new professor, and we're go
Ing to give him the honorary degree
in all our fraterna societies by car
rylng him three times around the
campus to the tune Of"
A roIllcking college song rang out
from the formidable, clustering mob
bearing Adolphus in triumph from the
scene,
ldFOrlle III dlouhu' thS young
man was settled for life, and happy
bridegroom In the bargain, few
weeks later.
That was not all of IT, The humor-
list hunted up Adolphus to get back
his manuscript The one he had taken
by mistake he claimed had saved the
day for him. Its sentiment and elias
steal tinge had just caught his audi
ence 1t gave him great reputation
for versatility, and the lecture bureau
had raised his pay. He hired Adolphus