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

'This is not" said the father. "quite
the surprise you may think it. 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. Twill
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 %
1.-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 at his
father and the latter wistfully watch
ed him as he fastened up the street
toward 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 vaIise and
turned through the gateway that led
to the cottage behind the big tree.
He looked back once more as he as
eended the steps. He could see the
two figures, now side by side, coming
slowly up the street.
"Boyeotted," he chuckled, hoy
cotted ~
1t was the evening of President
Lamson's reception to the graduating
class. The assembly room was filled
with the seniors and their friends.
There had be en- music by the glee club,
and the auditors were scattered in
little groups about the apartment.
Over in one corner sat John Sturges'
father, with his old friend and precep-
tor, Professor Patton. Near a window
at the side of the room stood John
Sturges himself, looking very well in
deed tor a penny-saving country lad
in his immaculate evening clothes.
By him stood q sweet-faced girl to
whom he frequently bent in smiling
Difference. They were quite alone.
Johns classmates holding themselves
strictly aloit, fact which drew tre-
quent amused glances from the boys
father.
Then President Lamson held up his
hand. When all was still he beckoned
t. Professor Patton. The latter arose
and stepped forward.
Friends" he said, 81 have some
pleasant news to impart. 1t will be,
l think, of special interest to the grad
uating class. You all know. / 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 were
until five minutes ago." He paused
and looked around.
1.-The fact is" lie smilingly went on,
1--WE have been entertaining good
fairy unawares. l am making this
little 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 a
little explanation is due him. He
came here quietly at his fathers sug
gestion to add year of special work
to the education he had already re-
ceived in one of the large Eastern COL
leges. He was prompted, too, by the
necessity of giving a strained knee a
loug rest, an accident he received on
the footboot field, for he was, if the
daily journals are TO be believed, the
great halfback of '96. He came to this
college because it was his fathers
alma mater and because that father,
who has left his many business inter-
ests and come across the continent to
be here this evening, desired him to
meet and know his early friend and
old preceptor." Here the professor
bowed. "And now l have only to
add" he went on more hurriedly,
that your classmate, John Sheldon
Sturges, has just subscr bed $50, 900 for
the completion and equipment Of the
college gymnasium, and L want you to
give him three cheers and the college
yell"
There was moments hesitation
and then the cheers and yell were
given with a royal will.
Father, father" cried John, as the
elder Sturges pressed forward with
hands outstretched to both his son
and the blushing girl. This isn't
what l wanted at ALL"
But the father only chuckled.
Il told you that boycott would have
to be lifted" he laughing answered.