He was a tall
young man, with a long face, high cheek bones, and an anxious look.
He looked at the ten cents and then at the telescope, hesitated for a
single moment, and then took his seat on the stool.
"Here is a young man who prefers to feast his soul with scientific
knowledge rather than become a sordid, grasping, avaricious
capitalist," remarked the astronomer, as he arranged the instrument.
"Fall back, you people who prefer the paltry sum of ten cents to a
view of the starry heavens, and give this noble young man plenty of
room!"
The noble young man removed his hat, placed his eye to the
instrument, a cloth was thrown over his head, and the astronomer
continued:--
"Behold the bright star of Venus! A sight of this star is worth a
thousand dollars to any man who prefers education to money." There
was an instant of deep silence, and then the young man exclaimed:--
"I say!"
I stood behind him, and knew that the telescope pointed at the fifth
storey of a building across the square, where a dance was in
progress.
"All people indulge in exclamations of admiration as they view the
beauties and mysteries of nature," remarked the astronomer. "Young
man, tell the crowd what you see."
"I see a feller hugging a girl!" was the prompt reply.
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