Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1899-09-28
Saint Hafg's Beacon.
A COLLEGE BOFCOTf.
From Cleveland Plain Dealer.

coming of the 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
moro than usual. 1t brought visi-
tors, parents, friends, trustees. For
this was commencement time.
Among the arrivals was quietly
dressed man of middle age with q
gray mustache and keen blue eyes.
A tall young man pushed forward
with outstretchsl hand.
Father Y
John, my son =
A moment later the two were
walking mp the long main street
beneath the beautiful naples, the
young man lightly carrying the
heavy travelling bag.
by George, my boy cried the
older man, as he drew in a long
breath and gazed admiriDgly at the
youth, it 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, per-
haps, but / fancy much the same
build. And how are you, my lad ?
You know l haven't laid eyes on
you for nearly q year.
Quite well, father, and in excel
lent spirits
And the football knee?'
Seems oil right again. I'll prove
it to you when we do little of that
hill climbing that you promised me-.
Yes, yes, my boyv cried the old
man with a merry laugh. I'll show
you where your father got in mis-
chief in those dear old days. And
TO think that I've let all these
years slip by without revisiting the
old home
AS he spoke q group of merry
boys and maidens passed by. They
swept along without glance at the
tall youth. The older man turned
and looked after them.
'How's that, my boy?'
What, father p
why, it seemed to me that they
mt cant to snub you. Do you know
them p
yes, father /; they are ali college
mates. They meant to snub me
all right. Fact is, Pm boycotted.'
Bless my soul Boycotted p
'Boycotted, father. It's a funny
story. You know l came here de-
termined to devote a year to rest
and special study. had the lame
knee to get in shape, and there
were certain lines of work wanted
to pursue with Professor Patton.
He's the only man in the college
or in the town who knows who
John Sturges' father is. Perhaps
! wasn't very friendly at the start.
The boys wanted me to join them
in several things. They wanted
me to try for the football team
But you promised me you
wouldn't play again.
Il keps my word, though it was
a temptation
The older man chuckled.
What's the joke, father?'
Il was laughing to think Of the
greatest half-back Of go trying for
a place on a village team
OF course they didn't know. and
they didn't like my excuse-the
knee. said ! was too busy. That
was the beginning. I'm pretty
sure they considered me stingy,
too. Perhaps you don't know, but
| made mp my mind to 60 through
this extra college year on the same
amount that You worried through
on. That didn't leave me much
for outside trifles. When they
asked me for a contribution for the
gymnasium fund / had to refuse
them.'
THAT was quixotic, my boy
The young man looked his father
squarelY in the face.
Besides, dad, there is q girl in
the CASE
The old man started.
"a girl in the case,' he duly re-
peated.
Yes, father. "A charming
girl. But poor, very poor. She
started in at college, but had to
stop. Now she's teaching in kind
ergarten. think the girls-her
college mates, yon know-snubbed