The Gentleman

A gentleman, no doubt, strolling down 5^th Avenue without a single questioning expression to show for it. A stranger, in every sense, without need of any amount of direction or assistance of any kind. A cream colored hat resting atop a perspired forehead. Crisp, clean khakis and brown leather penny loafers. A wide neck tie to match the hat; its knot still pulled tight, firmly grasping the man’s damp collar.

He grasped a single cotton suite case in his right hand. This was his only piece of luggage. One might have predicted him to be a traveling salesman; however, there was no advertising about him and his mannerisms did not indicate a single string of intent to conduct business of any sort in our quaint little town. He simply walked… no, strolled down the block as if he were on a Sunday evening outing. However, it was not Sunday but Tuesday, which meant that town business was in full progression as automobiles lazily rolled down the street. Shop doors creaked open and slammed shut as neighbors busily went about their daily errands.

The gentleman walked along the sidewalk without looking left nor right, but straight ahead. It was as if he had been sent on a strict errand of his own of which he could not stray from. However, as I have said before, there was no urgency in his step and he wore a calm, collected expression that could be recognized throughout the entire block.

The man walked along 5^th Avenue until 5^th met Maine Street at the center of town. At this point it has been said that the man stopped and turned his gaze to the street corner just as a young boy rounded the corner on his bicycle. There, right at the junction of 5^th and main, the boy lost control of his bicycle and wrecked in the center of the street. I have been told the gentleman’s pace quickened a little as he stepped out onto the street and made his way over to the boy. None of the town’s people made a motion to assist him. They all simply watched the spectacle being unveiled before their eyes. The stranger set his suite case down on the street and lifted the young boy from the pavement. After this kind gesture the man turned his back to the boy without speaking a word to him. At that moment an automobile rounded the turn at a reckless speed. The tires squealed as the vehicle slid to a halt right in front of the gentleman. The driver exited the vehicle gasping for breath. “Are you alright?” the driver asked frantically, “I didn’t see you there!” The stranger nodded ever so slightly and with a tilt of his hat said, “The boy is alright as well.” Without another word man proceeded to retrieve his suite case and continue on his way down 5^th Avenue.

Many have said that the gentleman stranger was a government official, sent to inspect our small town and examine the business of its citizens. Others have sworn that the man was actually and angel. A spiritual figure of sorts, who had fulfilled his errand on a street corner before proceeding to vanish in the rays of the evening sun as he continued down 5^th Avenue.