PROFESSOR SCHMIDT.
A small country place named "Five Oaks," a short distance from "Clear
Spring" farm, was owned by a very worthy and highly-educated, but
rather eccentric, German professor. He came originally from
Heidelberg, but had occupied the position of Professor of German for
many years in a noted university in a near by town. A kind,
warm-hearted, old-fashioned gentleman was the Professor; a perfect
Lord Chesterfield in manners. Very tall, thin almost to emaciation,
although possessed of excellent health; refined, scholarly looking: a
rather long, hooked nose, faded, pale-blue eyes; snowy, flowing "Lord
Dundreary" whiskers, usually parted in the centre and twisted to a
point on either side with the exceedingly long, bony fingers of his
well-kept, aristocratic-looking white hands. He had an abrupt, quick,
nervous manner when speaking. A fringe of thin, white hair showed at
the lower edge of the black silk skull cap which he invariably wore
about home, and in the absence of this covering for his bald head, he
would not have looked natural to his friends.
The Professor always wore a suit of well-brushed, "shiny" black
broadcloth, and for comfort old-fashioned soft kid "gaiters," with
elastic in the sides. He was a man with whom one did not easily become
acquainted, having very decided opinions on most subjects. He
possessed exquisite taste, a passionate love of music, flowers and all
things beautiful; rather visionary, poetical and a dreamer; he was not
practical, like his wife; warm-hearted, impulsive, energetic Frau
Schmidt, who was noted for her executive abilities. I can imagine the
old Professor saying as Mohammed has been quoted as saying, "Had I two
loaves, I would sell one and buy hyacinths to feed my soul."
Impulsive, generous to a fault, quick to take offense, withal
warm-hearted, kind and loyal to his friends, he was beloved by the
students, who declared that "Old Snitzy" always played fair when he
was obliged to reprimand them for their numerous pranks, which ended
sometimes, I am obliged to confess, with disastrous results. The
dignified old Professor would have raised his mild, blue, spectacled
eyes in astonishment had he been so unfortunate as to have overheard
the boys, to whom he was greatly attached, call their dignified
preceptor by such a nickname.
The Professor's little black-eyed German wife, many years younger than
her husband, had been, before her marriage, teacher of domestic
science in a female college in a large city. "She was a most excellent
housekeeper," to quote the Professor, and "a good wife and mother."
The family consisted of "Fritz," a boy of sixteen, with big, innocent,
baby-blue eyes like his father, who idolized his only son, who was
alike a joy and a torment. Fritz attended the university in a near-by
town, and was usually head of the football team. He was always at the
front in any mischief whatever, was noted for getting into scrapes
innumerable through his love of fun, yet he possessed such a
good-natured, unselfish, happy-go-lucky disposition that one always
forgave him.
Black-eyed, red-cheeked Elizabeth was quick and impulsive, like her
mother. A very warm and lasting friendship sprung up between merry
Elizabeth and serious Mary Midleton during Mary's Summer on the farm,
although not at all alike in either looks or disposition, and
Elizabeth was Mary's junior by several years.
The third, last and least of the Professor's children was Pauline, or
"Pollykins," as she was always called by her brother Fritz, the
seven-year-old pet and baby of the family. A second edition of Fritz,
the same innocent, questioning, violet-blue eyes, fair complexion, a
kissable little mouth and yellow, kinky hair, she won her way into
every one's heart and became greatly attached to Mary, who was usually
more patient with the little maid (who, I must confess, was sometimes
very willful) than was her sister Elizabeth. Mary, who had never been
blessed with a sister, dearly loved children, and thought small
"Polly" adorable, and never wearied telling her marvelous fairy tales.
[Illustration: FRAU SCHMIDT]