The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1895-09-10

O~FIC7a-Or6C, MRS. ashton pleased as
any girl, and Jack very important and
proud that he could give her this little
pleasure. They had decided on a tall
graceful vase and Jack had felt a
thrill of pride as he said carelessly to
the salesman: 1--WE may decide on
something else, but if you care to put
this aside until Wednesday, I'll come
down and see about it" and the sales
man, seeing Mrs. Ashton's eyes resting
lovingly on the vase, had said he
would put it aside.
Wednesday was Valentines Day,
and Jack started off to school Monday
morning with the determination to
say nothing more to his mother about
the day, but to go quietly down that
evening, hand his five dollars to that
snare clerk whom he felt sure could
be depended on, and make sure of the
vase.
There was quite a crowd gathered in
front of the school, and Jack could see
from afar that there was some IN
usual excitement afoat. As he Joined
them, Or. Bently walked up to the
group and said gravely: 1.-The young
gentlemen concerned in this disturb
ance will come to the Office, the rest of
you will please go to your rooms"
Whats up, Dickie7" asked Jack of
his chum as the two turned away.
why, you see, some of the Sop
homores have been hazing the Fresh;
you know this is right against the
doctors orders, and the Fresh, know
ing this, made a valiant stand for lib
erty. OF course a rather exciting
scuffe ensued and the crowd managed
to break the big window ct the end Of
the hail."
Jack gave a low whistle. "That
dosen't mean a cent less than seventy
five dollars out of their pockets, poor
chaps, but by all the gods, Dickie, how
does it happen you are not in this9"
For the same reason you are not"
answered Dickie calmly. Got here
too late" Jack laughed and the two
separated at the school room door.
There was a subdued murmur in
chapel that morning until DR.. Bently
assembled the platform. and then the
O was 80 quiet that Dickie said af
terward, You could hear yourself
think"
The doctor gave a very impressive
little talk; spoke of his intense dislike
of that contemplate custom, called
hazing, and then said: "The young
gentlemen who engaged in this morn
ing's effair have made me a manly and
satisfactory apology, and 1 intend to
say nothing o about the matter.
This much, however, must be demand,
ed. The window must be paid for,
and any young gentlemen failing to
pay his share will be suspended for
the rest of the year. You are dismiss
ed"
They a all afford to pay up, but
Anderson, the only Senior who hap
pened to be in the row" said one of the
Seniors to Jack, as they walked down
the hall together, but 1 think DR..
Ben ly has no idea how poor the fell
low is."
Too bad" responded Jack, ''Ander-
0 and I never got along very well
together, but he is a brilliant scholar
and it would break his heart to leave
college on the eve of graduation. "
Anderson came in a little late, and
even Jack, who had never liked the
fellow, felt a thrill of pity as he looked
at the young mans face, proud and
cold as it had always been, but a look
of utter misery in the dark eyes. AT
ter recitation, Jack stepped up to him
and held out his hand. I'm awfully
sorry" he said frankly.
Anderson turned on his heel and
walked out Of the room without q
word. Jack flushed and turned to
Dickie who was lowering in the back
ground.
THAT fellows moroseness is insult
ferable," he gaid shortly, and the two
went down stairs, arm in arm.
That evening about five o'clock, |
Jack passing the school building on his
way down town, remembered a book
he had left that noon, and finding the
doors open, walked rapidly down the
dark silent hall and into his own room, |
whistling softly to himself.
He was half way down the aisle be
fore he noticed that there was some |
body in the room, and that the some
body was Andersen, his head bowed
upon his desk |