The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1899-09-01
miscellaneous
A COLLEGE BOYCOTT.


little station. A 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 commencement time.
Among the arrivals was quietly
dressed man of middle age with gray
mustacEe and keen blue eyes. A tall
young man pushed forward with out
stretched hand.
Father -
John, my SOM!
A moment later the two were walk
ing up the long main street beneath
the beautiful naples, the young man
lightly carrying the heavy travelling
bag.
by George, my boy" cried the old
er man, as he drew in long breath
and gaZed admiringly at the youth,
lit does me good to see you-and to
see you here. l seem to see myself
again teudging up this very street
not quite so tall, perhaps. but fancy
much the same build. And how are
you, my lad2 You know l haven't
laid eyes on you for nearly a year"
quite well, father, and in excellent
spirits"
"And the football knee Z"
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. "l'll 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
without revisiting the old home"
As he spoke a group of merry boys
and naidens passed by. They swept
along without O. slaT ce at the tall
youth. The older man turned and
looked after them.
"How's that, my boy?"
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 p
"Boycotted, father. It's a funny
story. You know l came here deter
mined to devote year to rest aud
special study. had the lame knee to
get in shape, and there were certain
lines of work l 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 Inc to join
them in several things. They wanted
me to try for the football team"
But you promised me you wouldn't
play again."
II kept my word, though it was a
temptation"
The older man chuckled.
"What's the joke, father ?"
81 was laughing to think of the
greatest half-back of '96 trying for a
place on village team"
"Of course they didn't know, and
they didn't like my excuse-the knee.
| / said l was too busy. That was the
beginning. I'm pretty sure they con-
sidered me stingy, too. Perhaps you
don't know, but made up my mind to
90 through this extra college year On
| the same amount that you worried
through on. That didn't leave me
much for outside trifies. When they
| asked me for a contribution for the
gymnasium fund l had to refuse
| them"
THAT was quixotic, my boy"
| The young man looked his father
souarely in the face.
Besides. dad, there is girl in the
case"
! The old man started.
"a girl in the case" he DULY repeat
ed.
Eyes, father. "A charming girl.
| But poor, very poor. She started in
| at college, but had to stop. Now she's
teaching in a kindergarten. think
the girls-her college mates, you know
I-snubbed her because she couldn't
dress quite up to their standard. And
l think, too, they completed the boy
colt on me because sympathized with
her and paid her some attentions.
But she's quite a clever girl, father.
You must meet her."
Eyes, yes" said the old man, little
hastily. Then he suddenly laughed.
$50 you're boycotted, both for lack of
college spirit and lack of college funds,
'That's about the size of it, dad.
Funny, isn't it ~
Very. But where are you taking
me ?''
ITO my boarding place. l thought
you'd rather room with me than go to
the hotel"
"Of course. And who is your land
lord p
Its a 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, 1 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 hap
pened to meet some one prettier
Why, boy, Julia Spencer might have
been your mother"
Pm very glad she isn't" said the
young man.
And why?n
because l mean to marry julia
Spencer's daughter"
/ The older man stopped short.
Put down the bag" he said. Hit
bright blue eyes sought his sons.
Have yon set your heart on this p
he slowly asked.
Eyes, father, have"
"Aud you really mean to marry anG
settle down and take an active interest
in your fathers affairs? He's grow
ing old and needs YOU"
"Yes, dad"
The older man put out his hand anC
the younger firmly gripped it.