Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1899-07-18
A COLLEGE BOYCOTT

II UUluUUN DU lUUIl
The train creakingly drew up to the
little station. \ score or more of pas
sengers alighted. There were many
young men and young women on hand to
note the arrivals The coming of that
train was one of the daily events in the
college town. 1t was the only link that
bound the quiet place to the noisy outside
world
But this particular train meant more
than usual. 1t brought visitors, parents,
friends, trustees For this was COM
mencement time.
Among the arrivals was quietly
dressed man of middle age with a gray
mustache and keen blue eyes. A tall
young man pushed forward with out
stretched hand.
Father
John, my son.
A moment later the two were walking
up the long main street beneath the beau
tifll naples, the young man lightly car
rying the heavy travelling bag.
by George, my boy" cried the older
man, as he drew long breath and gazed
admiringly at the youth, 1T does me
good to see yOu-and to see you here. L
seem to see myself again trudging up this
very street-nOt quite so tall, perhaps,
but I fancy much the same build. And
how are you, my lad! You know
haven't laid eyes on you for nearly a
year.
"Quite well, father. and in excellent
spirits"
And the football knee?"
''Seems all right again. III prove 1t to
YOU when we do a little of that hill climb
ING that YOU promised me.
.sYes. YES. my boyr' cried the old man
with a merry laugh. III show you
where your father got IN mSchlef III
those dear old days. And to think that
I've let all these years slip by without
reVisiting the old home.
AS he spoke group of merry boys
and maidens passed by. They swept
along without a glance at the tau youth.
The older man turned and looked after
them.
'sHow's that, nly 5oy:'
''What, father"'
'Why, it seemed to me that they
meant to snub you. Do you know them!
Yes, father; they are all college mates.
They meant to snub me all right Fact
is, I'm boycotted.
BLESS my soul! Boycotted?'
''Boycotted, father. It's funny story.
You know | came here determined to
devote a year to rest and special study.
/ had the lame knee to get IN shape, and
there were certain lines of work l want
ed to pursue with Prof. Patton. He's
the only man in the college or in the
town who knows who John Sturges' ia
Their is. Perhaps I wasn't very friendly
at the start. The boys wanted me to
ioin them III several things. They want
ed me to try for the football team
But you promised me you wouldn't
play again.
4 kept my word, though it was a temp
tation.''
The older man chuckled.
whats the joke, father?'
Il was laughing to think of the great
est halfback of SO trying for place on
a village team
''Of course they didn't know, and they
didn't like my eHcuse-the knee | said
/ was too busy. That was the begin
ming. I'm pretty sure they considered
me stingy, too. Perhaps you don't know
but / made up my mind to go through
this extra college year on the same
amount that you worried through on
That didn't leave me much for outside
trifes. When they asked me for Il con-
tribution for the gymnasium fund l had
to refuse them"
That was quiXOtic. my boy"
The young man looked his father
;squarely in the face.
Besides, dad, there is girl in the
case"
The older man started.
"A girl in the CASE he duly repeated.
Eyes, father. "A charming girl. But
poor, very poor She started in at col
lege, but had to stop. Now she's teach
ing in a kindergarten. | think the girls
her college mates, you know-snubbpd
her because she couldn't dress quite up
to their standard. And | think, too, they
completed the boycott on me because [
'sympathized with her and paid her some
attentions. But she's quite a clever girl,
father. You must meet her.
Yes, yes" said the older man, little
hastily. Then he suddenly laughed
$50 you're boycotted, both for lack of
-eh?'
That's about, the size of it, dad.
Very. But where are you takins
me?'
''To my boarding place 1 thought
you d rather room with me than so to the
hotel
''Of course And who is your land
lord?'
ITS landlady, dad. and I'm her only
boarder. Her name is Spencer-Alrs.
julia Spencer
Julia Spencer! Do you know who
Julia Spencer is!'
why, no. dad, | DON'T
She was your dead mothers dearest
and oldest friend. She was Julia Ran
ney then, the prettiest girl in the village.
At least she was until | happened to
meet some one prettier. Why, boy,
julia Spencer might have been your
mother"
I'm very, glad she isn't" said the
young man.
and Why"
Because | mean to marry Julia Spen-
GERS daughter
The older man stopped short