at the fat,
florid face of the big man. The incongruity of this great big, noisy
individual calling on the dear, quiet little professor was too much for
her and she went away wondering.

"Say, profess'!" bawled he of the large diamond; "if the freak that
runs this joint don't put some one on the door, one of these days
she'll get her props pinched."

Von Barwig bowed. He had not the slightest idea what Mr. Costello was
talking about, but he knew it was advice of some sort and that he must
appear to be grateful.

After shaking hands with Von Barwig and making a few passing inquiries
as to the night professor's health Mr. Costello came to the direct
object of his visit.

"The members of my bloomin', blink house," began Mr. Costello in his
most ponderous manner, "want me to present you with this--er--token, as
a memento and a souvenir and a memorial of the occasion, in which our
night professor gave us the grand shake, or words to that effect. I
can't remember the exact hinkey dink they gave me; but, professor, it
amounts to this," and Mr. Costello unwrapped the parcel he had so
carefully brought upstairs with him. "This loving cup is a token of
the regard and esteem in which you are held by us in general, and me
and my wife in particular. And I can tell you my wife is particular,
very particular," added Mr. Costello sententiously. "Here, take it!"
and the Bowery Museum proprietor thrust a large pewter water pitcher
into Von Barwig's hands.

The old man was quite surprised and not a little affected. This new
proof of the affection of the poor, unfortunate creatures who made
their afflictions the means of earning their livelihood touched him to
the very heart, and for a moment he was unable to find words to express
his feelings.

Mr. Costello lit a cigar.

Von Barwig looked at the water pitcher and then at Costello and began:
"Mr. Costello, and--and--" he paused.

"Freaks," prompted Costello.

"No, no!" interposed Von Barwig quickly. "No, not freaks! Ladies and
gentlemen of the Curio Salon."

"Very neatly put, but they'd get a swelled head if they heard it,"
broke in Costello, puffing on his cigar.

"I accept your gift with--with great--great pleasure," went on Von
Barwig; "with more pleasure than I can say!"

"Drink hearty and often," said Costello loudly. "May it never be
empty! Say, profess', the fat woman's all broke up; honest, she liked
you!" and the big man roared with laughter at the bare