The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1899-09-01

lItI dotSl.
"Of course. And who is your land
lord?"
Its landlady, dad, and I'm her
only boarder. Her name is Spencer
Mrs. 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 VII
lage At least she was until l hap
pened 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 I mean to marry Julia
Spencer's daughter"
The older man stopped short.
"Put down the bag" he said. His
bright blue eyes sought his sons.
Have you set your heart on this?"
he slowly asked.
''Yes, father, have"
"And you really mean to marry and
settle down and take an active interest
in your fathers affairs? He's growing
old and needs you"
Yes, dad"
The older man put out his hand and
the younger firmly gripped 1t.
'This is rbt,'' said the father, quite
the surprise you may think it. Prof.
Patton wrote to me some time ago pre-
pairing me for what he seemed to think
was Inevitable. Still, it is a little start
ling, coming from your own lips"
Annie has just turned the corner"
murmured the young man. will you
meet her now?"
"I'll meet her mother first" said the
father. you keep the daughter away
for half hour or so. Which is the
house?"
'"The cottage back of the big tree,
dad"
The older man picked up the bag,
and the younger one turned and walk
ed rapidly down the street.
"John," the older man called after
him.
"Well, dad?"
Don't let it slip your mind that the
boycott must be lifted.'
The young man smiled back at his
father and the latter wistfully watched
him as he fastened up the street to-
ward the trim-built young woman who
was slowly approaching.
"Just like nie,'' he muttered; same
old obstinacy. Ready to go through
thick and thin for what he wants. God
bless him, he's all right.'
With which closing apostrophe the
older man caught up the valise and
turned through the gateway that led
to the cottage behind the big tree.
BE looked back once more as he as
cended the steps. He could see the
two figures, now side by side coming
slowly up the street.
"Boycotted," he chuckled, "boycot-
tedn
1t was the evening of President Lam
sons reception to the graduating class.
The assembly room was filled with the
seniors and their friends. There had
been music by tie glee club, and the
auditors were scattered in little groups
about the apartment. Over in one cor
ner sat John Sturges' father, with his
old friend and preceptor, Prof. Patton.
Near q window at the side Of the room
stood John Sturges himself, looking
very we'll indeed for penny-saving
country lad in his immaculate eeening
clothes. BY him stood a sweet-faced
girl to whom he frequently bent in
smiling Difference. They were quite
alone, Johns classmates holding them
selves strictly aloof, fact which drew
frequent amused glances from the
boys father.
Then President Lamson held up his
hand. When all was still he beckoned
to Prof. Patton. The latter arose and
stepped forward.
Friends" he said, "I have some
pleasant news to impart. 1t will be, I
think, Of special interest to the grad
uating class. You all know, am sure,
that our gymnasium fund has grown
with e4asperating slowness, and that
we are still long way off from the de-
sired amount. At least we were until
five minutes ago." He paused and
looked around.
"The fact is," he smilingly went on
1--WE have been entertaining a good
fairy unawares. am making this lit
tie explanation quite without the
fairy's knowledge, because, as you will
presently discover he is the last man
in the college who wants his merits
advertised. And yet just little ex.
PLANTATION is due him. He came here
quietly at his fathers suggestion to
add year of special work to the edu.
cation he had already received in one
Of the large Eastern colleges. He was
prompted, TOO, By the necessity Of Civ.
ing strained knee long rest, an ac.
cident he received on the football
field, for he was, if the daily journals
are to be believed, the great half-back
Of '96. He came to this college because
it was his fathers Alma Mater and be
cause that father. who has left his
many business interests and come