by any person, it was not coveted, but was suffered to lie there in peace. [26] Yes, there it lay; its locomotion arrested; its wanderings brought to a close. But hist! who enters? It is the “Student of Human Nature.” A gaunt yet spiritual-looking man opens the door, and slowly and pompously, he marches towards the other end of the car. His air, his gait, his costume, even to his boots, his cane—all were peculiar. His object in life was to rove hither and thither, studying that grand theme, Human Nature. Although above conversing with his fellow creatures, excepting when obliged to do so, his delight was to find some quiet spot from which he might form opinions of them without being disturbed. Whether he makes this employment “pay” by writing treatises on the subject, is a question which only he himself can answer. What he pretends to comprehend may be, and doubtless is, a noble science; but in his hands it is only a mockery. Only two or three persons in the railway carriage knew the man or his employment, but his demeanor could not fail strongly to impress the looker-on. His intention, on this occasion, was to take a seat in some dark corner, from which he might observe the occupants of the car. With stately tread he approached that bull’s-eye, placed his foot on it in such a way that it rolled, and with a crash the student fell headlong, with anything but “studied grace.” He was on his feet again before assistance could be offered—this, however, was not remarkable, as nearly every one present was convulsed by laughter—and, after glancing malignantly at the cause of his fall, he scowled horribly on two or three of the loudest laughers, and then tore his handkerchief out of his pocket. Too late! A flow of blood was streaming fast from his nose, which organ had apparently been bruised in his fall. [27] [27] A boy with the “nosebleed” is an object alike of laughter and pity; but a man with a bleeding nostril! Certainly
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