New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-07-09
A COLLEGE BOYCOTT.

From The Cleveland Plain Dealer.
The train creakingly drew up to the little
station A score or more of passengers alighted
There were many young men and young women
on hand to note the arrivals The coming or
that train was Of the daily events in the
college town. 1t 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 commencement 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 outstretched hand
"Fatherr'
John, my son.
< moment later the two were walking up the
long main street beneath the beautiful naples
the young man lightly carrying the heavy trav-
cling bag.
by George my boy" cried the older man. as
h drew in a long breath and gazed admirngy
at the youth, 'ft does me good to see you-and
t. see you here. ! seem to sec myself again
tludgng up this very street-not quite 50 tall
perhaps. but fancy much the same build. And
how are you, my lad? You know haven't laid
eyes on you for nearly a year"
quite vel, father, and in excellent spirits"
And the football knee"
Seems all right again I'll prove it to you
when we do a little of that hill climbing that
you promised me"
yes, yes. my boy" cried the old man with
merry laugh 'I'I show you where your father
got in mischief in those dear old days. And to
think that I've let all these years slip by with
out revisiting the old home"
As he spoke a group Of merry boys and
.f-.,, flff
q glance at the tall youth. The older man
turned and looked after them.
"How's that, my boy?"
what father"
''Why. 1t seemed to me that they meant to
snub you Do you know them
Yves, father; they are all college mates. They
meant to snub me all right Fact is. I'm boy
cotted"
"Bless my soul! Boycotted?"
"Boycotted father IT'S funny story. You
know came here determined 10 devote year
70 rest and special study. ! had the lame knee
70 get In shape and there were certain lines Of
work I wanted to pursue with Professor Patton.
He's the only man in the college or in the town
who knows who John Sturges's father is. Per
haps I 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
sgain"
81 kept my word. though 1t tempta-
don"
The older man chuckled.
whats the joke. father"
81 was laughing to think Of the greatest half
back of 90 trying for place on village team"
"Of course they didn't know. and they didn't
hike my excuse-the knee. said | was too
busy That was the beginning. I'm pretty sure
they considered stngy. too. Perhaps you
don't know, but l 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 trines. When
they asked me for a Contribution for the gym
nasium fund had to refuse them"
"That was quixotic. my boy"
The young man looked his father squarely in
ne face.
"Resdcs dad there is a girl in the case"
The older started.
"A girl in the case" he DULY repeated.
Eyes, father. "A charming girl. But poor.
Berry poor She started in at college. but had to
stop Now she's teaching in a kindergarten. 1
hubbed her because she couldn't dress quite up
b their standard And think. too. they com
bteted the boycott on me because l sympathized
nth bar and paid her soma attentions But