The record-union., 1896-07-26
THE cox OF ST. BRIDES.

year, think. We were there last May,
but then-that was SO different I've
SPOKEN to you about little Ted Orme,
haven't /? Yes, it's because of that;
you see, I've not been in Oxford since.
Here is his photograph in his cap and
blazer-green and white, ST. Brides col
ors. He looked so well in them, we
| thought. 1 wish had one of him as he
was when l first saw him. That will be
fourteen years ago this May, and he was
only g. but I remember the time so WELL
Grace had just become engaged to
young Merchiston of Trinity, and We
had been invited up to the Fights by his
aunt. 1t was our first visit to Oxford,
and Grace found it very good fun, nat
urally-but 1 own I thought it rather
slow at first. Frank Merchiston took us
about everywhere, of course, and he and
Grace were in the seventh heaven, which
rarely holds more than two at a time, l
think
Well, this afternoon we were ON Trim
ity barge watching the races. 1t was
very bright and hot; there was the usual
crush of smart frocks, of hat-bands,
blazers, flannels and little terriers scut-
tlin2 about everywhere, and in the
pause between the first and second di-
vision of boats / was idly watching
them all and noticed Ted.
He was SO little for his age that /
fancied him less than 6, and at first
thought it absurd that he should be out
of skirts, he was such a laughab1e fig
ure in the long wide sailor trousers, but
he marched about SO independently and
was SO polite to his mother-who treated
him, l noticed, as though he were a COM
petent escort-that he rose in my esti-
nation. At last he got his mother COM
fortably seated, supplied with tea, and
in conversation with an elderly gentle
man, and then came to me, politely
drawing aside to let me down the stair,
as l went below, thinking 1 should bet
ter enjoy my tea away from the glare
and hustle. He managed with some diff
ficulty to procure cup of tea, asking
for mostly milk, if you please" at the
busy table; then he came to the long
seat from which / was watching him,
placed his cup and saucer carefully
upon it, and, cha<ging again into the
melee, he returned with piece of cake.
He clambered with difficulty on to the
slippery cushions beside his teacup, and
smiled at me over it's edge as he en-
Joyed his first sip, remarking as he re-
placed it in the saucer, Rather a Scram-
bic gettin' anythin' to eat, amt it? Have
you got all you'd like?" he added, evil
IDENTIFY ready to slide down again and
forage for me if I said the word. I as
sured him that / was we'll supplied, and,
ready to continue the conversation, re-
marked something as to its being pleas
antly cool below after the glare on deck.
Yes, indeed" he said, land there's
such. lots of terriers up there, fellow
can't eat anythin' in safety-when he's
little-and SO when 1 saw Judson of
Wadham comm on with that horrid lit
tie dog of his in it's blue and white rib
bon--don't like Wadham colors, they're
washed lcokin, don't you think?-I
knew there was no good stayin' up
there. Why, that dog took the cake out
Of my hand yesterday"
Are you interested in the races?" 1
asked.
He opened his eyes amazed. Rather"
he exclaimed emphatically; Especially
in the second division. Don't you think
our crew splendid? My brother is
stroke" he added with pride.
THE great big man who sits in front
Of the Trinity boat?" I asked.
Yes" said Teddy. He's big, isn't
he? We're all big in our family-when
we grows up; and of course his being in
the boat makes us interested in the
races. Lots of the people here, though,
are just up for the week, and know
precious little about it all. Why, yes
terday l heard a girl who was cheerin'
away like anythin' wavin' her handker-
chief and pretendin' she understood it
puffeckly, sing out, Well rowed, Brase-
nose; and she was on this barge with a
Trinity fellow, too, Frank Merchiston;
had on a blue and white hat t-band, and
all that; but she just called that cause
she heard some other fellows shoutin' it,
and never seemed to think we were
tryin' to bump Brasenose ourselves."
l laughed. That was my sister," 1
said, very much amused, for Grace was
always making mistakes like this, being
too eager to share her fiancee's interests
before she understood them.
Teddy flushed embarrassed. "Oh, /
didn't know" he said awkwardly
She's a very pretty girl isn't she?" try
ing to atone for his unfortunate remark
The mater said her dress was awful
good taste"
After tea we went on deck together
Teddy cast glance toward his mother,
but seeing her apparently quite happy
with the elderly gentleman, devoted
himself to me. May / see your watch,
please?" he asked. by Jove, near time
for the first gun We must scrimmage
to get a seat, Miss - What is your
name, please?"
I told him. he touched his cap quaint
ly. My name is Ted Orme," he said,
and we were formally acquainted I
little guessed what a lasting friendship
it would be. Do you ever think of that?
first meeting often seems so impor-
tant afterward, though at the time one
scarcely notices it, perhaps.
Ted found me a chair somehow, and
placed himself beside me. I shall never
forget his excitement as the guns
boomed out and the boats glanced into
sight
There they comei" he cried. "Can
you see, Miss Ray? Stand up on your
chair. Rest on my shoulder and you'll
he quite steady" And this from child
whom under ordinary circumstances it
would have been ones first impulse to
lift above the press, but with Ted l
caTed not propose such a thing He
cheered vociferously. 1 think Trinity
bumped Brasenose before our eyes, but
l really forget. / can only remember
the little figure hanging over the barge
railing, waving his cap wildly, the sweet
little voice ringing out, well rowed!
Oh. well rowedi" as his brothers boat
shot by. His dark eyes glowed as he