The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1892-05-05
AN AWKWARD HERO.

Il can't see what brought him here,
anyway. None of us asked him tc
come, l am sure"
Unless it was Denzil. He is always
so soft-hearted about such people. II
he looked as if he wanted to come you
may be certain Denzil gave him an in
vitation."
Yes" said Denzil quietly. Il did
ask him to come"
Il can't tell what you did it for,
then" responded the one who had
first spoken, for Of all disagreeable.
stupid creatures Caleb Orion is the
most disagreeable and stupid"
Never says word all day long,
but just sits and stares, for all the world
like one of those wooden images be-
fore tobacco shops"
Yesterday, said girls voice. Il
was trying to cross the brook on the
stepping stones which, as you know,
are very slippery. Master Caleb hap
pened to come along, and without say
Ing word he picked me up and car
ried me across as if had been a bundle.
When he saw was angry. he turned
very red, muttered something about
being afraid might wet my feet, "
and went OF, looking more sheepish
then ever"
He does nothing but ride around
the country on that bicycle of his
and
Nov look here fellows. and you
Mollle " Interrupted Denzil. you are
all mistaken about Caleb Orion. Tell
me, did you ever know of his saying
or doing mean thing"'
No." reluctantly. from several
of the party.
Well then | tell you that Caleb
Orion is true gentleman at heart.
He may be slow and awkward: don't
deny that. You may not like his
looks. That is matter of taste.
But in spite of his queer. shy ways,
he is one of the best fellows that ever
lived"
And all this time Caleb Orion him.
self stood in the shadow of the hazel
hedge not ten steps distant from where
the party of girls and boys sat upon
the lawn. He had meant to join them
but had paused where he was with an
unhappy sense that he would not be
welcome among them; and while de-
batting with himself he heard all.
He hesitated moment, drawing his
rough, red hand over his eyes, then,
without knowing very clearly what he
meant to do he pushed his way
fhpOOrh tho ho1n1c nrl
the party.
Instantly silence fell upon the group
Those who had been talking against
him looked a little uncomfortable; for
there was something in the poy's face
which they had never seen there be-
fore.
NO" said Caleb as Denzil beck
oned him to a place beside himself on
tho settee mo. Denzil; I only came
to say that know all. I did not mean
to listen. but I know now why none
OF you like me. I'm not angry only
very sorry. am clumsy and dull.
1 can't talk like the rest of you. I
cant do things that other boys can.
wanted to make friends with you.
but somehow I couldn't. It wasn't
your fault. l suppose 1 am different
from other fellows. l am going away
tomorrow, and-and l hope you will
forgive me-
He spoke hurriedly. in a choked
voice, and broke down at the end.
He was ashamed of the tears he felt
spring to his eyes. and turned away
quickly without waiting for any re-
ply. He had taken a few steps when
he felt hand upon his shoulder and
Denzil Graham joined him. The two
boys walked on in silence, side by
side, for a short distance; then Denzil
said earnestly:
Look here, Caleb. you don't mean
what you said about going away to.
morrow!'
Yes answered Caleb. You sec
l didn't know they hated me, or ]
wouldn't have stayed so long,
They don't hate you, said Denzil.
ats just their talk. They don't
know you as do that's ALL
You spoke up for me like a brick,
Denzil." and Caleb's coarse. honest
face lighted up with an affectionate
smile: Il thank you. but must co.
Il will come to your room this
afternoon said Denzil I'm going
back to the others now, but think
shall have something to say to vol
then that will alter your feelings.''
The two boys shook haudslwarmly
Denzil returned to the party on the
lawn. while Caleb went to the carriage
house where his bicycle was and
mounting it rode away at great speed.
Denzil Graham had invited mum.
Der of boy and girl friends to spend 6
part Of the vacation at his fathers
place. the Mill Farm. situated in {
. beautiful little valley among the La
comic mountains. Among others, he
had asked his classmate, Caleb Orion,
to come. Poor Caleb had few friends
but Denz.l had learned what a ster.
ling fellow there was hidden under
the boys uncouth exterior and he be-
lieved that the rest OF the party would
soon come to like him as warmly q:
he himself did. But the result had
been quite the contrary to Denzil's ex.
Dectations and Caleb's first week q