The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1899-06-29
serious, Ell? But Til manage somehow,

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guess" sear'.s.,'fs''esaee. ~
He did manage, in his first four finals,
despite the innumerable seminars and
incessant grinding that preceded them,
to do very badly. That was sure.
1t so happened that in the fateful
room, where he was to take his last,
an examination in English, Bolker was
proctor. Good luck you!" he smiled
to Watson, giving him blue book.
Then he settled into the dreamy, trance
like state wherein he was wont to pass
the three-hour ordeal
After awhile he glanced toward Wat
son. Good heavens! the boy was not
writing; he was looking squarely on the
book of the man in front of him. Bolker
turned away hastily, then, with fear
full doubt, looked again. Could it be
that he-her brother-could it be? 1t
was; the wretched boy, afraid of fail
ure, was taking this cowardly means,
prostituting friendship for safe cheat
ing. With a great weight on his heart,
the proctor strobe toward his friend.
'I'll report you," he Kissed, bending
low
Watson looked up and laughed. "Oh,
you wouldn't do that"
The watchman resumed his seat,
trembling He dared not look again.
1t must have been mistake. "But il
it isn't, what then? | won't look
there is no need. Yes-I will look--to
prove | was wrong" Reluctantly he
swung around. Horrible, it was true!
A flush came to Bolker's cheeks-here
was no time for leniency. lie would
report, he must report, the infamous
cheat. Report? No, thank heaven, that
was not necessary!
Over on the other side of the room
dozed a fellow proctor; to him tiptoed
Bolker.
Say, old man." he pleaded, "do you
mind changing places? ] feel sick
| want to sit by the window where it's
cool"
"Sure. you're sick?" queried the other,
pleasantly, and crossed over. Bolker
sank into the chair and mopped his face.
Then he looked triumphantly at Wat
son, now working away Indeed, after
that, the boy continued to scratch along,
never once pausing to look up, until.
three-quarters of an hour before time
was up. he handed in his book and sour
ried out.
When the examination ended Bolker,
faint and trembling, strobe to the room
of his friend. Through the open door
he deserted the goody collecting in
Vulnerable shirts and ties that strewed
the floor.
where's Mr.. Watson?" he demand
ed, fiercely.
"Why, he's jest this very minute went
away, swearin' around that he'd never
make his train! Such a mess you never
seen, sir! He's terrible careless. is Mr..
Watson, sir, and l was to say good-by
for him"
Bolker slammed the door. His anger
was rapidly oozing away. Poor little
chap, he's so young! 1t was an awful
temptation and he yielded. Bolker, you
blackguard, you hope he pulled
through. You do, strand it's enough
to have stopped him, made him fall
Yes, and why, why? For big. grind
ing corporation called Harvard, of
which you are the tool, the spy. For
that you've sacrificed your friend, your
only one, her brother!"
All thorugh the summer Bolker toiled,
solitary and wretched, hoping, praying.
in spite of himself, that Watson had con-
trived to pass and would return. Never
had summer seemed so hot, so long, so
uncomfortable; never had he accom-
plished so little; never had he made
such childish mistakes; never felt so ut
terly alone.
AS October drew near, he became
more and more despondent, fearing he
should never again see his by now
canonized friend. He even thought of
resigning, for the reason that in allow
ing another to cheat he had himself
cheated.
But one morning he was startled and
shocked by hearing the voice he so we'll
know: "Hello, Bolker; lend me match.
will you?"
"Watson, Watson" he cried, spring
ing up. Did you"
well, / guess | passed everything
pretty well; two DIS, two c Minus, and
don't faint nova B-yes, sir, b
in English. You must have been my
mascot that day when you were in the
room. Oh. and say-gOd news. My
family are coming to live in Cambridge;
they liked it so much-and they want
to be remembered. Now, didn't for
get to tell you. did /? You're surprised
about that B. HIM! Clearly, sir, you
have heretofore underrated my ability!
Well, | always liked Ben and Donne and
that lot-but what's the matter with
you, man? You look funny. Nhe-ew!
/ remember now. So you did believe
was cheating in that exam? Why, at
the time l thought surely you were
Joking. But, do you know, it bothered
me often during the summer, because i
remembered how serious you looked,
and that you changed with the other
proctor. Lord, man, you ought to have
known better! I'm sorry you thought
la,,x !