Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1889-08-16

straight to his lodgings and tried To
compose his mind. He sat down in his
easy chair. lit pipe, and fell into a
reverie. How we'll he remembered the
old Camford days when he and Charley
Micklereed had lodged in the same
house and belonged to the same set. IL
was not in any way n distinguished set.
and Micklereed was n kind of honorary
member of il. That eccentric young
man always seemed to regard the uni
versity as a monk did the world he
was in it, but not of it He was an or
phau and had gone to Camford against
his own will, but in accordance with
that of his father. His father had had
"A belief-founded, ii Is needless TO say.
on ignorance-in the value OF Cam
ford degree, which had induced him TO
make his sons inheritance of his little
property TO depend upon the attain
ment OF that academical distinction.
Charley fulfilled this condition as easily
as he could, and spent the money as
quickly rs possible. Then he took a
situation, but, us he could not bring
himself TO look upon the unwillingness
of John Bull, Jr., to acquire useless
knowledge as "a serious crime, he soon
lost it. From that time Mr.. Bamlctt
had lost sight of his friend, though he
had often wondered what had become
of him.
1t happened that the wife and family
OF Warder Smith were members Of Mr..
Bamletts congregation. The Warder
himself was, by the nature of his Off
cial duties, compelled TO attend the
ministrations of the prison chaplain,
but as private citizen i'm the bosom of
his family he was we'll known TO the
curate. Mr. Bamlett thought it could
do no harm TO Micilereed to recon-
mend him TO the favorable notice of his
guardian, so he sent a message To the
Warder asking him to step round and
see him as soon as he was off duty.
Good evening, Smith" said he,
when that worthy put IN an appear
ance; II want TO speak to you about
No. 49,"
The set visage of the Warder relaxed
into a kindly grin.
Rum customer sir, amt hep said
he. when | took his work TO his cell
this morning says he, az cool as you
please, '"Ah. my Warder, ! suppose.
Well, you look decent sort of fellow
and | daresay we shall get along well
enough No. ll9." says !, don't you
know it's against the rules to talk un-
necessarily
" oh. blow the rules, says he I'm
only here for three weeks and ] mean
to enjoy myself III report you. says
|. No you won't says he, you're not
that sort BLESSED if did report him
either. Couldn't do it some how.
II am afraid. Smith" said the clergy
man. "he does not realize his sad posi-
ton. ! will try and awake him to it.
Meanwhile, be as lenient with him as
you can without neglecting your duty.
knew him, that is, | met him, years
ago, and feel an unusual interest in
him.
just what he told me this afternoon
after you'd gone. sir; only he put it in
rather queer way, replied the War
der. d" Warder, says he, you know
that good gentleman Yes. says l..
We'll, he's an old college friend of
mine, and would be much distressed if
he heard | was under punishment
know YOU wouldn't like to trouble him.
so pray let us hear no more about re-
porting. Talk about cheek; a prize
pig amt in il with him. suppose he
was only kidding of ne about the
college, sir?'
Alas, no, replied the clergyman,
"his story is true; we were at college
together. What has brought him to
this | can not imagine. Does he seem
TO you az AL made
''No. sir. not bit" said the Warder
promptly. ''as eggsentric as you are,
but not mad. ! was attendant in an
asylum before | came here, and know a
lunatic when | see him. Bless you,
sir, he feels it more than he pretends. "
I'm glad to hear it. Smith; very
glad But be as easy with him as you
can.
"All right, sir. Trust me for that.
He's not one Of the sort TO give me real
trouble. I've read his case and fancy
he really was precious hungry when he
broke them lamps. Starving men have
done worse things to get meal before
now. Good night, sir. -
Charles Micklereed had always had a
peculiar knack OF enlisting the affec-
tons of those about him. As sort of
human cork floating on the sea of chance
he never seemed TO have any aims. and
consequently he had no interests to
clash with those Of others. Therefore
his acquaintance had always looked
kindly upon him and been ready to do
him small favors.