Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1872-08-22
JACK MAYNiRD'S CALL.

1t was very quiet that afternoon in the
college yard In all the straight cut
paths that connected every door with
every other, there was no one stirring.
The wind had died away ana the only
sound was the echo of passing sleigh bells,
dulled by the snow that lay heavy on roof
and branches. In Jack Maynard's room
nothing was moving but the fire. In the
wide, old-iashioned CRATE the rudy flame
Of huge piece of camel leaped and
quivered, now cleaning on the long oar
over the windows, now throwing out II
pictured face in tremulous life from the
darkening wall, or lighting up the Venus
of Milo in the corner with Il half rosy
flush. 1t played on books thrown loosely
about the big study table it sent rays in
to the high bookcase that glimmercd back
from polished bindings and from the silver
cup that Jack had won in the class races ;
it made the chandelier glow as if itwere
full of little Jets of flame it sent rosy
sparks among the cluster of II German
favors that lined the frame Of picture Of
the Harvard crew, and spent all It's power
in vain trying to Danish the shadow of the
heavy curtains.
Jack himself, a Saxon six-footer, was
lying before the CRATE, with his chin be-
tween his hands, and his elbows on the
arm Of the lounge, pensively tapping the
hher end of thnt much enduring piece of
furniture with the toes of his top.boots
Through the fragrant vapor that curled
lazly about his head from a long-stemmed
pipe he was looking out nto the yard,
where the twilight was fast deepening
among the gnarlod elm branches, and
lights were already beginning to shine
over the snow. lie was not takiag much
notice of the Landscape, for his face had II
t.tr-oif expression and he had made no
movement till his pipe went out, when he
skil6lly dropped 1t ON the floor, without
taking the trouble to move his hands from
his head, aud spoke,
i" Robert my child, are you awake ?"
Just what | was going to ask you,'
said the child ina sleepy bass voice, from
the depths of the easy chair Why, child,
uobody knew but Jack. Certainly neither
of She chums was child III stature, or in
any sense except in the sight of the law.
But Jack, who objected to sentimentllity
between men, was fond of using fatherly
terms, IS being sort of combination of
absurdity and affection that could hardly
be found fault with from either point OF
view.
was thinking, Bob how many hearts
Ia been broken under those old Gins in
all the years since the college was found
ed just think of the average damage
every class-day Do you remember that
ehusion of llolme, '--something about
Many a classic beach Is strewn
with heart-shaped pebbles of blood-red stone
Though | don't exactly see where the
beach comes IN
Probably refers to Harvard during
the glacial period suggested Bob.
Aud | was wondering Jack went on,
q how many Of all the engagements made
in colleges have lasted, suppose Watts.
hs-name's calculating machine would
give the figures easily. Twould be Il
good thing for fellow To know, SO thai
be could calculate his chances on mathe-
maueu principles
jack said Bob, rising and looming
solemuly between him aud the window,
"are YOU smashed ~
My child, said Jack meekly, fear
/ am
Dark, or lght?" said Bot, sternly.
Dark was the answer, With power
full sigh.
"Where ," said Bob after Il sud silence
That last assembly. | was slightly
hammered on ;hat occasion; and last
evening ! madly proceeded To put myself
under pile-driver by calling on her. ",
talked uhOut philDSuphy and rYrlip~ Il Il,