The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1899-06-29

it isn't, what then? I won't look
there d no need. Yes-1 will look-to
prove was wrong" Reluctantly he
swung around. Horrible, 1t was true!
A flush came to Bolker's cheeks-here
was no time for leniency. He 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 fellow proctor; to him tiptoed
Bolker.
"Say, old man." he pleaded. do you
mind changing places? l 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-auarters 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.. Wntson?" he demand
ed. fiercely.
"Why. he's Jest this very minute went
away, swearin' around that he'd never
make his train! Such mess you never
seen, sir! He's terrible careless. is Mr..
Watson. SIR. and was to say good-by
for him"
Bolker slammed the door. His anger
wns rapidly oozing away. poor little
chap. he's SO young! II was m 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 fail!
Yes. and why. why? For a 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. 30 long. SO
unendurable; never had he accom-
plished so little; never had he made
such childish mistakes; never felt 80 ut
terly alone.
A October drew near. he became
more and more Respondent, 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 well
know: "Hello, Bolker; lend me match,
will your"
"Watson. Watson" he cried. spring
ing up. "Did you"
'well, I guess passed everything
pretty well; two D's, two G Minus. and
don't faint now-e B-yes, Er. . B
in English. You must have been my
mascot that day when you were IN the
room. Oh, and say-good news! My
family arc coming TO live In Cambridge;
they liked Il 10 much-and they want
TO be remembered. Now. didn't for
ret to tell you. did T? You're surprised
about that b. HIM! Clearly. sir. you
have heretofore underrated my ability!
Well, I always liked Ben and Donne and
that lot-but what's the matter with
YOU man? You look funny. Whe-ew!
/ remember now. So you did believe
was cheating In that exam.? Why. at
the time I thought surely You were
Joking. But do you know. II bothered
me often during the summer. because
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
that of me. am sorry! Don't deny It,
man--you can't! Oh. I'm not angry
but you must have thought me besut!
remember it now, and suppose 1t did
look suspicious, and ought not to have
done II. But couldn't help it. There
was an awful grind in front Of me. He
wrote like a steam engine. two pages a
minute. you know! liked watching
him scratch away, but didn't look to
see what he was writing. I'm not rs
bad as all that Don't be foolish
Bolker. You look as II you were going
to cry. You haven't shaken hands yet
Put her here!"
Bolker. unable to speak, covered Wat.
sons big hand v!.s E@A - - and
loohea oWN0-aArvaS1 Advocate.
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