The Portland daily press., 1895-06-01
TOMPKINS.
Copyright, 1895, by the Author.I
By P. DEMINe.

pines ON a height overlooking Lake
Champlain. Near by were the dull red
brick buildings of the University of
Vermont. Burlington, blooming with
flowers and embowered in trees, sloped
away below us. Beyond the town, the
Jake, a broad plain of liquid blue, slept
in the June sunshine, and in the farther
distance lowered the picturesque Adj
sondacks.
s'It is certainly true said Tomp-
kins, turning upon his side SO as to face
me and propping his head with his
hand, while his elbow rested on the
ground ''Don't you remember I used
to insist that they were peculiar when
we were here in college?"
I remembered it very distinctly and
10 informed my old classmate.
s'I always said,'' he continued. "that
I could not do my best in New Eng
land because there is no sentiment in
the atmosphere, and the people are SO
peculiar.
t'You have been living in Chicago?"
remarked inquiringy.
ssThat has been my residence ever
since We were graduated-that is, for
about IL years." he replied.
''Youare in business,there, believer"
Lquestim1ed.
Tompltins admitted that he was, but
did not name the particular line.
"Hallool" he suddenly called out,
rising to his feet and looking toward
the little brown road near US. 1 looked
in the same direction and saw plain
" dressed elderly couple on foot, ap-
parently cut for walk. Tompkins
went hastily toward them, helped the
lady over the fence, the gentleman fol-
lowing, and a moment later I was in
troduced to Mr.. and Mrs Pember of
Chicago
Tompkins gathered some large stones,
pulled a board off the fence in rather
reckless manner and fixed a seat for the
couple wher,, they could lean against a
tree When tl1eywere provided for, l re-
clined again, but Tompkins stood before
us, talking am gestioulating.
ssThis, said be- 1is the identical
place, Mrs. Pelnber. Here you can see
the beauties llave so often described.
Before you. are the town and the lake,
and beyond them the mountains of
northern New York, and (if you will
please to turn your head) that great
blue wall behind you 30 miles away is
composed of the highest mountains in
Vermont. The mountains in front of
you are the Adirondacks, and those be-
hind you are the Green mountains. You
are at the central point of this magnifi-
cent Champlain valley, and you are
comfortably seated here beneath the
shade on this, the loveliest day of sum-
lner Dear friends, congratulate you, "
and Tompkins shook hands with Mr..
and Mrs. Pember.
t'And there, Timothy" observed the
old gentleman, pointing at the univer-
sity buildings with his cane, ''is actual
ly where you went to college. -
SIT was in those memorable and clas-
sic halls, as my class1nate here can tes-
tify,', replied Tompkins. "And here
we roamed in Academus' sacred shade,
and good deal beyond it. We went
fishing and boating during term time
and made long trips to the mountains
in the vacations. In the meantime this
wonderful valley was photographed
upon the white and spotless sensorium
of my youthful soul. =
Going, going. goingp' cried Mrs.
Pember, with Light. ripping laugh,
glancing at me.g sThat is the way I
stop Mr.. Tompkins when he gets too
fiowery."
Tompkins looked at me and Redeemed.
'I own up" he remarked. II am an
auctioneer in Chicago
hastened to say that felt sure he
was good one and added in the kind
est way I could that had just been
wondering how he had become such a
good talker.
sis it good deal of comedown?"
asked Tompkins, with mixture OF
frankness and embarrassment.
I replied that the world was not what
we had imagined in our college days
and that the calling of an auctioneer
was honorable.
A general conversation followed. in
the course of which it appeared that
Tompkins had boarded at the home Of
the Pembers for several years. They
evidently looked upon him almost as
their own son. They were travelling
with him during his summer rest.
''This is queer world" observed
Tompkins, dropping down beside me
and lying fat on his back, With his
hands under his head 81 came to COL
lege from back neighborhood over in
York state and up to the day was
graduated and for long time after
ward I thought I must be president of
the United States, or Presbyterian
minister, or great poet, or something
remarkable, and here am an auction.
eer.
Occasional remarks were made by the
rest of US for awhile, but soon the talk
ing was mainly done by Tompkins.
Said he: 'Since was graduated
never was back here but once before,
and that was four years ago next Au
gust. Twas travelling this way then ant
reached here Saturday evening. | wa!