The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1900-01-20

DOLKER, during his four years al
ID college, never made a friend. Te
him neighbor in lecture meant either
nuisance, If fidgety and inclined to talk
or object of Indifference, if quiet and
taciturn; snob, if we'll dressed; moment.
ity if, like himself, shabby. In those
four years of toll Bolker never commit.
ted the conventional college sins OF
drinking. smoking or loafng. Instead
he spent his time on mathematics, now
computing, with infinite patience, how
long it takes (disallowing friction) for
drop of water to flow from the north
pole to the equator, and now mastering
the eccentricities of parabolas and
other devilish curves. His mathematics
stamped themselves on his appearance,
his habits and his character. The part
in his black hair was the perfection of
straightness; just as regular as 1880,
12:00and 6: 0ocame each day, so regular
ly he RECALLED himself at FoXcroft. As
for work, his was invariably ready three
days before the required time. Bolker
graduated finally with summa cum
(highest honors in mathematics), an
abnormally developed character and a
vague longing. This last he proved con-
clusively to himself was for continu-
ance of his student life, and in hopes of
satisfying it he pleaded successfully
to the regent for proctorship.
The next fall found him ensconced in
office heartily trusting he should never
have to assert himself. While beautify-
ing his new quarters, on the day before
college opened, with much connecting
sheepskin, he was startled by loud:
"Oh, excuse me-but will you lend me a
match?" from well-dressed lad, stand.
ing at the door.
Certainly, yes; come in," stammered
the proctor, blushing.
"Thanlis, awfully," said the visitor
II didn't really want match, YOU
know. I'm your neighbor, and thought
we might as we'll meet. I'm fresh
man; my names Watson"
Strangely, the proctor was not bored
indeed, he was glad. "Mine," he said
holding out his hand timidly, 81:
Bolker." The ingenious intrude,
grasped it heartily.
what jolly room you have!"-i,
was in reality almost bare-"I suppose
you're senior"
mo; I'm graduate this year."
"That is digniied! What an age ii
must seem since you came. But / SEE
you're busy fixing up. 1 ought to be
too. I'm such lazy dog, though, IL
sit around and talk all day, if you'd lei
me. Well, so long. Come and see me
Fifteen, right next door," and out hi
strobe. whistling.
Bolker's heart seemed pushing up to
ward his collarbone. He had not men
toned that he was proctor, because h,
feared the boy. once knowing it, would
not come back, and he wanted him
back; wanted him to come often.
His wish was gratifed. That YER,
night Watson dropped in, now without
excuse. He spoke of the strangeness OF
the place, of how thoroughly insignifi
cant one felt in it, as though no one
would care if you lived or died; where
In it was all quite different from home
(home being in Dayton, o., and very
far away. Then Boll<er surprised him
self by playing the comforter.
"Must you be OFF," he said, sincerel,
sorry, when the lad finally rose to go.
eyes, I want to start in we'll and ge,
up early. I'm tremendously obliged t.
-whew, it's late"
"By Jove, I had no idea it was so late
Half past tent TIL have to stop tina,
fellow playing his piano up there"
"Why, you don't mind it, do your"
"No-but you see-I'm proctor in the
building"
"You?" the lad laughed. "Why
you've just graduated. You're joking
aren't you?"
mo, really am the proctor"
"Oh, what cinch I've got" chuckled
the boy, impudently. "Good night. ole
man-that is, ] mean, SIR"
The exclamation annoyed Bolke,
vaguely. What if ever as proctor he
should have to-nonsensel His fears
were groundless. The fact that he was
proctor did not in the least hampe,
the acquaintance from ripening, al
time went on, into friendship. The
freshman was young and liked The
Call Up Meagt9'& Co.
II you want good dry pine woed. n