News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1921-03-30
A Mistake in
Rolls
BY MURIEL BLAIR
10. 1921. Western Newspaper Union.)

y
"And l am sure that it 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 tiancee, blushingly
sweet as her eyes answered the deep
love light in his own.
"Well, we will soon know" pro-
claimed Adolphus himself. "Where is
my manuscript? All, here. CSsSd-by,"
and kissing all three Of me best
friends a young man ever had the
hope of the Barclay family made
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 wedding, family
removal, and he would feel settled for
life.
So far everything looked favorable
Adolphus had appeared before the au-
gust college faculty and had read his
paper on Egyptian poetry. He had
made hit It 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.
II 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 favorable
impression on the students, l fancy
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 q 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:
"Music?"
ooh, no." replied Adolphus--"lec-
ture."
HIN; so? Further coincidence.
Same line. Shake"
II am a professional humorist," he |
told Adolphus. Bound for a Dunkard |
settlement at Jackson"
They became so companionable that |
the train was starting up from 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 brief
talk on the"
There Adolphus gasped Hrs eyes
stared at the neatly typewriter pages
before him. He was. electrified. The
room swan. He -paled, 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 Ad0lphus. In despera-
tion he called out huskily:
THE subject of my lecture is THE
Jokes of the Anciens.
Good !" "New!" "Give us a sam
ple!" and like eager and urgent calls
filed the air.
AdoIphus began to read. He had
not proceeded ten lines before he real
lied that the humorist was an adept
in his line
The jokes were funny, but there
was an added zest to the appreciative-
ness of the audience. This was the
solemn. oWl-like seriousness of the lee
turer. To Adolphus it was no fun.
With wild whoops the crowd made
n rush for 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 Z" repri-
manded a stentorian voice as they |
reached the doorway, and the presi-
dent of the college halted the crowd.
"Its all right, Prex," declared the
of the riot. "We've elected
him our new professor, and we're 60
ing to give him the honorary degree
in ali our fraternal societies by car
ryiig bin three times around the
campus to the tune Of"
\ rnlicking college song rang out
from the formidable, clustering mob
bearing Adolphus in triumph from the
scene.
a fayOrite all around, the young
nan was settled for life, and a happy
bridegroom in the bargain, a few
weeks later.
That was not all of it. The humor-
list hunted up Adolphus to get back