Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-07-15

for lack of college spirit and lack of
college funds. ch""
That's about the Size Of it, dad.
Funny. isn't it,"
Very But where are You taking
me-"
TO my boarding place though;
you'd rather room with me than 60 20
! the hotel"
"Of course. Ana Who is your land
Iord?"
It's 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. I don't"
she was your dead mothers dear
est ana oldest friend She was Julia
Hanncy then. the pretticst 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"
I'm very glad she isn't" said The
young man.
And Why"
Because | mean 70 marry Julia
Spencer's daughter.
The older man stopped short.
Put down the bag" H. 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 ana
settle down ana take an active interest
in your fathers affairs? He's growing
Old ana needs YOU"
Yes. dad"
The older man put out his hand and
the younger firmly gripped il.
This is not" said the father. quite
the surprise you may think il. Pro-
fessor Patton wrote to me some time
ago preparing me- for what he seemed
to think was inevitable. Still it is a
little startling, coming from your own
lips
Annie has just turned the corner"
murmured the young man. VIII you
meet her noW?"
TN meet her mother first" said the
father. You keep the daughter away
for a half hour or 50. Which i the
house,"
The cottage back Of the big tree
dad"
The older man picked up the bag. and
the younger one turned and walked
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 1t 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 me-" 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
He looked back once more as he
assembled the steps. He could see the
two figures. now side by side, coming
slowly up the street.
"Boycotted," he chuckled, boy
cotted,"
1t was the evening of President
Lamson's reception to the graduating
class. The assembly room was filed
with the seniors and their friends.
There had been music by the glee club,
and the auditors We're scattered IN little
groups about the apartment Over in
one corner sat John Sturges' father,
with his old friend and preceptor, Pro-
fessor Patton. Near a window at the
side Of the room stood John Sturges
himself, looking very well indeed for a
penny-saving country lad in his i'm
maculate evening clothes. BY him
stood a sweet-faced girl to whom he
frequently bent in smiling Difference
They We're quite alone. Johns class
mates holding themselves 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 Professor Patton. The latter arose
and stepped forward
Friends" he said, II have some
pleasant news to impart. 1t will be.
think. of special interest to the grad
uating class. You all know, l am sure,
that our gymnasium fund has grown
with eXasperating slowness. and that
we are still long ways off from the
desired amount. At least we We're I'M
til five minutes ago. He paused and
looked around.
The fact is" he smilingly went on.
eve have been entertaining good
fairy unawaresS l am making this lit
tie explanation quite without the
fairy's knowledge, because. as you will
presently discover, he is the last man