The aegis & intelligencer., 1899-09-08
THE BOYCOTT
OF
JOHN STURGES
And How Tt Was Lifted.

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The train creaking!y drew up to the
little station. \ score or more of passen-
gers 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 i'll 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 commence
ment time.
Among the arrivals was 4 quietly dress
ed man of middle age, with a gray mus
tache and keen blue eyes. A tall young
man pushed forward with outstretched
hand.
Father
"John, my son.
A moment later the two were walking
up the long main street beneath the beau
tiful naples. the young man lightly car
rying the heavy travelling bag.
by George. my boy cried the older
man as he drew in a long breath and
gazed admiringiy at the youth, lit does
one good to see you, and to see you here!
I seem to see myself again trudging up
this very street-not quite so tail, per-
haps, but l fancy much the same build.
And how are you, my lad? You know l
haven't laid eyes on you for nearly
year"
Quite we'll. father, and in excellent
spirits"
''And the football knee"
Seems all right again. III prove it to
you when we do little of that hill climb
ing that you promised me.
Yes, yes, my boy" cried tine older man,
with merry laugh. III show you where
your father got i'll mischief in those dear
old days. And to think that I've let all
those years slip by without revisiting the
old homer'
As he spoke a group of merry boys and
maidens passed By. They swept along
without a glance 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 thern?"
"Yes, father. They are all college
mates. They meant to snub me all right.
Fact is. I'm boycotted.
BLESS my SOUL Boycotted"
"Roycotted, father. It's funny story.
You know | came here determined to de-
vote year to rest ana special study. |
had the lame knee to get in shape, and
there were certain lines of work l want
ed 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 l wasn't very friendly at the
start. The boys wanted me to join them
in several things. They wanted me to
try for the football team"
But you promised me you wouldn't
play again.
Il kept my word, though it was temp
tation."
The older man chuckled.
"Wbat's the joke, father?"
81 was laughing to think of the great
est half back of 1896 trying for place
on village team"
''Of course they didn't know, and they
didn't like my excuse-the knee. said
/ was too busy That was the beginning.
I'm pretty sure they considered me stin-
gy too. Perhaps you don't know, but
made up my mind to so through this ex-
ira college year on the same amount that
you worried through on. That didn't
leave me much for outside trifes. When
they asked ne for contribution for the
gymnasium fund, l had to refuse them"
THAT was Quixotic, my boy"
The young man looked his father
sQuarely in the face.
Besides. dad. there is girl in the
CASE
The older man started.
"a girl in tie case" he duly repeated.
"Yes. father. IA charming girl-but
poor, very poor She started in at col
lege, but had to stop. Now she's teach
ing in Il kindergarten. ] think the girls
her college mates. you know-snubbed
her because she couldn't dress quite up
to their standard. and l think, too, they
completed the boycott 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 older man little
hastily. Then he suddenly laughed. $50
you're boycotted both for lack of college
spirit and lack of college funds, eh?'
That's about the size of it, dad. Fun
ny, isn't it?"
VERY. But where are you taking me?'
ITO my boarding place. | thought
you'd rather room with me than so to
the hotel
"Of course. And who is your land
lord?"
ITS landiady, 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. don't"
''She was your dead mothers dearest
and oldest friend. She was Julia Ran
ney then, the prettiest girl in the viii
lage. At least she was until / happened
TO meet some one prettier. Why, boy,
Julia Spencer might haVo been your
mother"
'I'm very glad she isn't" said the
young man.
"Ard why?"
because 1 mean to marry Julia Spen-
GERS daughter"
The older man stopped short.
put down the bag" he 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 ard
settle down and take an active interest
in your fathers affairs? He's growing
old and needs you"
"Yes, dad"
The older man put out his hand. and