Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1883-06-29

A Story OF Local Interest, by Philander
Dcmlng.

He was small, why man, about fort,
years OF age, with a bright young face
dark eyes. and iron-gray hair We wer,
reclining in n field, under clump o
pines, ON n height overlooking LAX,
Champlain. Near by were the dull-ret
brick buildings of the University of Yer
mont. Burlington, blooming with flow
ers and empowered in trees, sloped away
below us. Beyond the town. the lake, &
broad plain Of liquid blue, slept in the
June sunshine, and i'll the farther dis
lance lowered the picturesque Adiron-
dacks.
at is certainly true" said Tompkins,
turning upon his side so as to face me
and propping his head with his hand
while his elbow rested on the ground
Don't You remember, ] used to insist
that they were peculiar, when we were
here in college?'
remembered it very distinctly, and SC
informed my old classmate.
81 always said, he continued, 'that
could not 10 my best in New England,
because there is no sentiment in the at.
mospherc, and the people are so pecu-
liar"
you have been living in Chicago?" |
remarked inquiringly.
'That has been my residence ever since
we were graduated that IL, for about
seventeen years, he replied.
"You are i'll business there, believe %
j questioned.
Tompkins admitted that lie was, but
did not name the particular line.
''Halloo 7! he suddenly called out, ris-
ing to lis feet, and looking toward the
little brown road near us. | looked in
the same direction, and saw plainly
blessed elderly couple on foot, apparent
~ out for walk. Tompkins went hasti-
ly toward them, helped the lady over the
fence, the gentleman following, and mo-
ment later | was introduced to MIR. and
Mrs. Pember. Of Chicago.
Tompkins gathered some large stones,
pulled board off the fence in rather
reckless manner, and fixed seat for the
couple where they could lean against
tree When they were provided for,
reciined again, but Tompkins stood be-
fore us, talking and gesticulating.
This, said he, sis the identical place,
Mrs. Pember. Here you can see the
beauties have SO often described. Be-
fore you are the town and the lake, and
beyond them the mountains of Northern
New York ; and Gf you will please to
turn your head that great blue wall be-
hind you, twenty miles away, is composed
OF the highest mountains in Vermont.
The mountains III front of You are the
Adirondacks, and those behind You are
the Green Mountains. You are at the
central point of this magnificent Cham
plain Valley and you are comfortably
seated here beneath the shade, ON this
the loveliest day of summer. Dear
friends, | congratulate you" and Tomp-
kins shook hands with Mr.. and Mrs.
Pember.
And there, Timothy" observed the
old gentleman, pointing at the Univer-
sity buildings with his cane, sis actually
where you went to college"
ut was in those memorable and classic
halls, as my classmate here can testify"
replied Tompkius. Sand here we roam
ed in 'Academus' sacred shade, and n
good deal beyond it. We went fishing
and boating during term time, aud made
long trips to the mountains in the vaca-
tlons. In the mean time, this wonderful
valley was photographed upon the white
and spotless sensorium of my youthful
SOUL"
''Cioing, going, going" cried Mrs.
Pember, with n light, ripping laugh,
glancing at me. "That is the way stop
Mr.. TompkinB when he gets too flowery.'
Tompkins looked at me and redeemed
81 own ur, he remarked, 81 am an auc-
tioaeer in Chicago"
hastened to say that / felt sure he
was good one, and added, in the kindest
way | could, that l had Just been wonder
ing how he had become such good
talker
is it n good deal Of come DOWN."
asked Tompkins, with mixture of frank
hess aud embarrassment.
] replied that the world was not what
we had imagined in our college days, and
that he calling Of an auctioneer was hon
Ornble.
A genera! conversation followed, in the
course Of which it appeared that Tomp-
kins had boarded at the home of the
Pembers for several years. They evil
IDENTIFY looked upon him almost 8 their
own son. They we're travelling with him
during his summer rest
"rhis is n queer world" observed
dropping down beside me,
and lying Hat on his back, with his hands
under his head. IL came to college
from back neighborhood over in York
State, and up to the day was graduated,
and fora long time atterward thought
/ must be President of the United States,
or Presbyterian minister, or great
poet, or something remarkable, and here
I am an auctioneer."