Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1896-01-30
THE COLLEGE COUSIN.

In two of the leather-seated chairs
before the big window of the hotel the
Junior and the Sophomore sat side by
side. Each wore a large chrysanthe-
mum and carried cane decked with
streamers of ribbon. The rotunda be-
hind them was filed with restless
groups of young men, all wearing rib
bon or carrying flags and all talking
hoarsely and excitedly. The street in
front of the hotel already filed with the
dusk of the early twilight, through
which the street lamps seemed spheres
OF golden haze, wore much the same
look; but with the difference that the
groups took the form of procession
moving along the wet sidewalk. Across
the way the shirts in the window of the
Gents Clothing Palace" were all of the
same color as the ribbons. The en-
trance to the dry goods store further
down was draped with the same shade.
Even the bootblacks and newsboys,
perhaps with view to personal benefit
rather than from any strong affection
for the college, wore knots of the same.
The Sophomore looked out at the
moving crowd and tapped the floor
lightly with his cane.
Great game, wasn't it?" he said
hoarsely.
The Junior nodded. The fact that he
had heard the same remark from the
same source u dozen times in the last
1t minutes did not affect his apprecia-
ton Of it in the least.
Wrecked my voice, though" said the
Sophomore.
If it were shattered" said the Ju-
nior, thoughtfully, II might get little
sleep mornings"
To this the Sophomore made no an
swer. He did not feel himself capable
of conversing on any subject except the
game.
There were holes in their line that
you could drive an ice wagon
through" he said, in sudden exulta-
ton.
II don't drive an ice wagon" said the
Junior, shortly. Then he turned and
looked at the clock above the desk.
ats nearly SIX" hc said. Lets go
and get something to eat"
The Sophomore glanced ut him out
of the corner of his eye, and an instant
later became immersed in study OF
the toes of his shoes.
"rm going uptown to dinner" he
said. hesitatingly.
"What?" said the Junior.
The Sophomore repeated his state
ment with obvious embarrassment.
The Junior looked at him with wither-
ing scorn.
Didn't you tell me-" he said, accus-
ingly, that we'd take dinner together,
go to the theater, and catch the 1880
train back?"
The Sophomore shifted uneasily in
his seat.
"Well, you see," he said. 81 hadn't re-
ceived this invitation then"
"That makes no difference" said the
Junior, sternly. "You made an en-
gagement with me. Are you going to
break it?"
"No," said the Sophomore. "Only-"
"Only you don't intend TO keep it,"
said the Junior. "What'll do now?
Wander about till train time?"
20, you'll be all right" said the
Sophomore. sunless some one takes
you for hayseed and bunkos you," he
added.
The Junior looked thoughtfully up
ut the electric light. Then he turned
10 the Sophomore:
"Who is she?" he asked.
It'll do you no good to know" said
the Sophomore.
II don't want to know" said the
Junior. "Was it the one on the coach?"
The Sophomore nodded. ~ met her
at the beach last vacation" he said. 81
never called on her here, but she asked
me to dinner tonight. She has cousin
in college. / never asked his name for
fear she'd want me to look him up"
A broad smile came over the face of
the Junior, but when the Sophomore
turned toward him he was preternatur-
ally grave.
you're going, then, are your" he
asked.
"Yes," said the Sophomore, calmly.
The Junior looked pensively at his
cane.
II think I'll 60 with you," he said.
The Sophomore laughed.
IT mean it," said the Junior. II don't
zee why shouldn't"
"Whatl" said the Sophomore.
"You could say that you had brought
friend with you," said the Junior. ut
would be all right. She'd understand"
The Sophomore looked at him close
ly, as though searching for evidence of
joke, but the Junior was apparently
in earnest.
"I'd look pretty, wouldn'tI?" said the
Sophomore.
"rve no doubt Of It," said the Junior.
"You always do"
ut would be the most cold-blooded
thing on record" said the Sophomore.
why, hardly know tho girl! 1t
would make me look like the very
deucel"
"You fatter yourself" said the
Junior.
,"She'd think me an ass" said the
Sophomore.
"Well, what's the use trying to de-
ceive her?" asked the Junior, coldly.
"Of course you're joking, though, /"