The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1891-07-29
Aye, one year more--the crisis OF your

Aye, one year more-the crisis Of your
life, old man.
Otis cast a sharp, impatient glance at his
chum who, attired In jersey and blazer,
lay outstretched on a divan. The noble
proportions Of the athlete were outlined
against the dark red background Of the
couch. He was magnificent specimen Of
young American manhood, symmetrical.
muscular, well-balanced. Perhaps there
was suggestion Of jealousy In the eyes
OF the poet as they rested on the man Of
might.
BE careful, Jack. You are approaching
forbidden topic"
F." Well, then" returned Arnold good-na-
turedly, "let us change the subject. What
are you going to do, Hal, for the next three
monthS2"
!" Hsighho, don't knowi My father
wants me to read law. That's absurd, of
course. Imagine summer spent In New
York. cooped up among Inusty tones and
subject to parental guidance. / couldn't
stand 1t, old man. / shall tell him SO when
see him, but he's sometimes very stub
born, the Governor, so don't know how it
will all end"
Do you want my advice?" asked Arnold,
casting an affectionate glance at his err
ratio ehum.
mo"
The monosyllable WAS so uncompronis-
ing that the athlete had nothing more to
say
Come, come" exclaimed Otis presently.
knocking the ashes out OF his pipe and
jumping down from the window-seat, its
high time did some packing. must get
away tomorrow morning, and l have q
thousand things to do"
Arnold amiIad "a ha xvafohad fha afRoyta
OF his chum to bring order out of the chaos
that reigned In the room, His own trunks
were already packed. his superfluous be-
lodgings were safely locked, his books
were arranged In their appropriate places,
his bills were all paid and nothing ro-
mained for him to do save to await the
the hour OF departure. Otis, on the other
hand, was surrounded by an ocean OF petty
difficulties. What he wanted he could not
find, what he needed not was close at hand.
A pile of unreceipted bills lay upon his
desk His books were scattered around
the apartment IN undignificd disorder.
His method of packing trunk-if method
1t could be called--was unique. Whatever
came first to hand went first into the tray.
Clothes, tennis-racquets, books, shoes,
tobacco-pipes, brushes, pajamas. smoking
jackets and other paraphernalia were
jumbled together In most picturesque con-
fusion.
II wish were an artist" remarked Ar
mold, as he watched the frantic eDdeavors
OF the poet to close and lock an over
stocked trunk. g should paint picture
entitled Genius Preparing for a Journey
think 1t would make hit" s
"Oh, keep quiet, will your exclaimed
Otis testify. Come here and lock this
trunk. I'll sit on the lid. There, that's
right. Thanks. Now, what the deuce am
/ going to do about these billsf
Our hero gazed ruefully at the desk. At
that moment there came knock at the
door. E7NT9E f
Come In" cried Arnold. eE
"Confound It, what did you do that for?"
asked Otis, annoyed. His sensitive tenn
permanent assured him that a creditor wss
Ia the hall.
"Ah. Mr.. Otis" exclaimed small,
hook-nosed man, entering the room in q
half-apologetic manner. II see you are
going away. / hat come for my leetle
pill"
"To the dickens with your pill Isaac
You'll have to wait until next term" said
Otis emphatically.
"Oh. but Mr.. Otees, hat vanity to
SUPPORT. Your pill has been running for q
year and half Unjust have the money
now"
"Itell you can't pay you now. Do
you hear2 What's three months to you,
Isaac2 Wait till the fall. Plr pay you as
soon as / return
but, Mr.. Otees-"
Stop right there, Isaac / haven't time
to argue with you. I'm in q greathurry.
! have told you-"
But, Mr.. Otees-"
Get out. do you hear?" cried tho young
man angrily; and taking the little Jew by
the shoulders he hustled him Into the hall
way, shut the door and locked It,
Arnold looked grave.
"What foolish fellow you are, Hal.
Why don't you telegraph to your father
and settle up here before you leave2'
why don't l? You wouldn't ask me II
you knew the Governor. He's grumbling
already because I've spent so much money
this year. Heighho. Ill have to economize
next term. I'll give up my pipe and take
to cigars"
Arnold laughed at his chum's idea Of
practical economy At that moment
another rap at the door made Otis jump.
See who's there, jack" he whispered as
he disappeared behind tho door OF his bed
room.
us Mr.. Otis here, Mr.. Arnold2" asked
woman's voice.
What can we do for your" returned
Arnold In non-committal way.
"Shure and you know, Mr.. Arnold, what
I'm afther. Is 1t washin' for nothin' Mr..
Otis wants O poor woman 10 do2 You
always pay me, sir, but haven't had q
clint from your chum since the wake be-
fore Christmas. I'll go to the Pnsidlnt
with the bill, sir, unless 1 get my money
to-day" auH
Here Otis appeared upon the scene.
Come In. Mrs. Sullivan" he said polite
ly, throwing upon the flushed aud excited
woman his pleasantest smile. "Sit down."
he added, pushing chair toward her.
I'm just In the midst OF packing. You
don't know how pleased am with those
last shirts you did for US. They were per-
feet
Mrs. Sullivan smiled. Like all women
she loved iiattery. 4
Permit me" he continued, taking two
dollar bill from his pocket. to hand you q
little present to prove my satisfaction at
your work. 1t will give me great pleasure,
Mrs. Sullivan, to recommend you to the new
men next fall"
The washer-woman's face glowed with
pleasure.
"As for your bill, Mrs. Sullivan"
Otis went on. carelessly picking out Q
memorandum from the pile Of unweloome
paper ON the desk, II win send YOU o
cheQue In payment on my return to New
York. That will do. OF course, will It not7
Thank you. Now. II you will excuse me,
will return to my packing. It's an actual
pleasure for me to go through my enecrs.
Mrs. Sullivan. my underclothing is all 20
well laundried. There, there; no thanks
are needed. Goodbye till the fall. Don't
overwork yourself, Mrs. Sullivan. As o
Senior. you know. l shall have q great deal
for you to do
Mrs. Sullivan, somewhat dazed. arose.
looked wistfully at Arnold. muttered some-
thing that might have been either pro-
test or an expression Of gratitude and Slow
ly left the room.
That's shame. Hal" remarked Arnold
sternly when they were again alone.
Nonsense, old man; I'll do as said. I'll
send her the money as soon as ! get
home"
Perhaps-if you don't forget It," re-
turned the athlete doubtfully.