The morning call., 1894-01-14

studying for scholarship as a matter of
pride or to feel that l ought to do all | can
TO repay the debt after | leave college. l
know very we'll that L cannot live if l am
worried. I don't want to die. | had
rather live and not go to college than go
TO college and die. Still, l would like very
much to go TO college. If l can accept
your gift as gilt with a clear conscience
| will promise to live simply, graduate de-
Gently, if not as honorably as l might by
overstudy, ana not disgrace you. l should
like to go. Uncle Henry. with this under
Standing"
Ann of course he went aud began there
the quiet, singular career which marked
him through life, career which was SIM
ply the perfect, uDqueStloning acceptance
of inevitable fact. 1t was well understood
that Van Austen, as the protege of a rich
uncle. would spend no money except for
comfortable expenses, though he had fully
explained to his uncle that he did not care
to be niggardly in regard to those. He
lived simply, but well. He never enter
tained. but be accepted unquestionably
and without returning the attentions of
richer fellows without qualm. IF you
knew" he once said as the nearest ap-
proach to an apology that he ever made.
'hOw fine it sometimes seems to me it must
be TO be able TO give any one anything you
would not wonder that am so lavish in
giving you better fellows so many oppor-
tunities in giving"
He had graduated, as he said he would,
deceltly, and then had sought the light
work. with ridicuously small pay, which
was all his strength was equal TO. Two
years later his mother died. and Van Aus
ten was alone in the world except for the
hosts and hosts of friends that he had
always made for himself everywhere.
AS we sat there now in his little Darlor,
talking of the old days and the new. his
dOorbell rang
Excuse me for moment" he said, as
he rose slowly. 81 am my own butler to-
day. Emily sends me round hers on great
occasions. but though / am perfectly will
ing to borrow MIN when | need him. l am
not willing 10 borrow him when she needs
him. l draw the line there. SO l am my
own butler to-day"
"Good-evening." | heard from strange
voice as Van Austen opened the outer
door. There was a severity in the tone
which marked the voice of one who hardly
expected to be admitted without difficulty,
but who was determined 10 be admitted
whatever the difficulty.
''Good-eveniug. Will you come in ?" Van
Austen said, with evidently unexpected
civiity.
Thank you. th ank you. "said the stranger
in a tone OF evident relief. II called to see
you about little subscription for The
Children's Aid Society l know your in
terest IN it, and"
Excuse me, interrupted Van Austen
with smile which / felt through the thick
portiere, but think you mistake me for
my cousin, Richard Van Austen. He is, l
know, particularly interested in your So
ciety, and will no doubt befriend it. He
Is in Thirty-fourth street"
Aud you are-?" questioned the inter-
viewer, with professional anxiety not TO
be thrown off The scent
am, unfortunately, Robert Van Aus
ten The two RS often confuse my iden-
tlty with that of my cousin"
Ah! excuse me; | see," answered the
discounted agent, with a tone which un-
consciously Implied that he had been a
little surprised at the surroundings of the
supposed wealthy Mr.. Van Austen.
'Odd, isn't IT," said Van Austen, as he
sauntered back into the parlor and threw
himself again upon the cushion. that he
never tired TO get out of me what he could ?
The minute he found was not the million
aire off he went In search of the richer
man with out waiting TO see if | couldn't
perhaps swell his fund by widows mite.
Ii [ had been an ordinary poor man he
would have tried TO squeeze at least dol
lar out of me, en- passant; but it is one of
my advantages of being the Van Austen
who Is not rich to have the subscription
agents drop me as il l were al agent N.Y.
self when they see wealthier Van Austen
behind me-"
'Do you know Dobbs?" i asked, hap
'pening to recall the name on the opposite
dOorDlate.
'.Do l know Dobbs? OF course J. do
What is more to the point. l know Mrs
Dobbs and all the eleven little Dobbses
Mrs. Dobbs is very clever little woman
who sends me in bit Of dinner now and
then of a rainy Sunday when she knows l
hate to go out can't return In kind. OF