The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1895-03-22

brother Fred, who happened to be
standing directly in his path.
For heavens sake, was that you,
Roger?'' he cried, confronting him in
establishment.
do let me get out of this" his
brother responded impatiently; they
needn't make such fuss because L
Knocked the old duffer over" and he
bolted in the direction of the gym
nasium.
Saturday nights generally brought
the scattered members of the Bartlett
family together, as the collegians al
ways made d point of coming home to
spend Sunday under the parental roof
tree.
On this particular Sunday evening
all were assembled before Roger came
in Fred was all agog to describe the
scene that he had witnessed, but he
unselfshly held his tongue. 'I'll not
spoil his story for him, but will give
him chance to do justice to it, he
mentally calculated, as he watched his
brother swallowing his soup with un-
ruff1ed composure.
But Roger said nothing upon the
vital subject, and Fred looked at him
with increasing surprise as he judi
cially set forth the respective merits OF
the opposing football team, and called
attention to their most vulnerable
points.
IN turn in early tonight, l think"
he yawned. as he withdrew from the
dining room. Il put pretty solid
work into the last half OF that game"
and he leisurely wendell his way up
stairs.
81 wish that Roger would put little
solid work into something else" his
father volunteered, as he disappeared
from the room.
At this, Fred, who had in times past
repeatedly scoffed at his fathers ath-
letic proclivities, instantly fred up.
Father" he burst forth, you're
making a big mistake about Roger.
He's got more genuine stuff in him than
all the rest of us put together, and if
it's football that's done it. the sooner
that we all go i'll for the game the bet
ter" and he then prOcee led to give a
graphic account of the afternoon eX-
perience, which caused his father to
blow his nose loudly and repeatedly.
while his eyes glistened with happy
pride and which sent his mother weep
| ing in search of the sleepy athlete, who
couldn't understand what he had done
| that was worth making such fuss
about
A few days later Mr.. Bartlett re-
ceived note from his old friend, Will
kinson Smalley, which ran somewhat
as follows:
DEAR BARTLETT: L hear that your Roger is
| going il for the law. and if l want him.
| When nc ret; through with the law school you
can ian hi: over - me, for he, just the ma
| terit.l n t u Oh the lookout for and you may
well be rJGd OF aim.
IT s. 5rel rae out OF Il years growth the
! other 2fternoon at the station, the young raS-
| cal, but in spite oi that. wish you would tell
him to come round ana take tilncr with me
| some night. for | want to talk u him.
with kind regards to Mrs. Bartlett, believe
| me, ever your friend,
WILKINSON SMALLEY."
| When Roger came home the follow
ing Saturday his father handed him
the note, remarking: I'm afraid
haven't appreciated your football, old
man, but I'm going to do better in flu
ture: and, by the way, Roger. hear
that you're to play in the game at
Springfield next week; is that SOP
Roger nodded.
Very WELL then" Mr. Bartlett con-
tinued, your mother and woald like
to have you get rs the best seats that
can be hoar;i:. fur we've ST pu.' hearts
nf>1 g : - sec You ,:,:. iIe first
tu .ic.l ..3..--i Dost N Fra nscript