Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1901-04-02
CHAPTER I.
II WAS about the middle Of Sep.
TENDER, in the year 1896. The

Il WAS about the middle Of Sep.
TENDER. in the year 1896. The
walks around the buildings at
- Hope college, that had been de-
serted through the summer vacation,
were beginning to be alive with stu
dents. The fall term was to open on
Wednesday, and on every hand were
evidences Of the renewed life of the
institution.
An express wagon drove through the
big gate that opened on the college
grounds, and a boy who was sitting on
the seat of the wagon with the driver
looked around with eyes that took in
as much as possible, while the express
man drove slowly up to large dormi-
tory building where dozen students
were sitting on the steps.
Eyes, this is Rankin hail." said the
driver in answer to questioning look
on the boys part. The boy jumped
down and began feeling in his pocket.
"How much is it," he said.
! Fifty CENTS" said the expressman
as he seized the trunk and began haul
ing it out of the end of the wagon.
, The boy felt first in one pocket and
then in another. He seemed to be on
the point Of asking something, but as
the driver threw the trunk on the
ground and then faced him he took his
hand out Of his pocket and paid the
man half dollar.
"Say, aren't you going to help me
carry the trunk up stairs? My room is
up two flights"
"Charge you 10 cents,' said the driv-
er, pausing a minute with one foot on
the wagon step.
The boys hand went down into his
pocket again, and his face flushed
deeply under heavy tan color. He
muttered something about getting the
trunk up alone, and the expressman in
staptly mounted his seat and drove off,
The boy turned around and faced the
crowd on the steps awkwardly.
"Well, freshie," said one Of the
group, $50 you've arrived, like the ele-
plant, with your trunk"
YES" replied the newcomer slowly,
while his face flushed again as it had
before. us this the monkey cage to
the circus?"
Good for you," cried boy with a
tennis racket as he jumped to his feet
and came down the steps. The rest of
the crowd laughed, all except the boy
who had spoken first, and stared at the
new boy with some interest.
'Say," continued the boy with the
racket, "1'll help you carry your trunk
up stairs. Now, then, fellows, give US
room according to our strength
The owner of the trunk looked sur
prised, but he accepted the help with
thanks. and after heavy tug up stairs
the trunk was landed safe in the room.
The boy who had helped sat down on
top of the trunk and exclaimed:
"What you got in it?''
"In whatY'
I'm here" he replied, kicking his
heels against the newcomers property.
The other boy colored again, and aft
er a little hesitation he said, "There's
some books at the bottom"
"Good place for 'em, too," remarked
the other. "Wish some of mine were
there
There was an awkward silence,
which the new boy broke by looking
around the room and finally rising to
open closet door to look in.
"Where you from, New York or Chi
cagO or LOndon?" asked the boy on the
trunk as he stared good naturally at
the other.
"I'm from Randall, and my name
u.s.
Edward Blake" interrupted the 9th,
er, reading the name from card tack
ed on the top of the trunk. "Fresh
manY
Eyes. Are your
mo. Once is enough" said the 9th
er, getting off the trunk and walking
over to the window. I'm poor soph-
omore now. Nothing to do but play
tennis and funk. Are you coming into
the club?''
II don't know" said the new boy
slowly. He began to unstrap his trunk,
looking curiously as he did so at the
other student. There was something
quite unusual to his mind In sophie
more taking such an interest in fresh
man. It was contrary to all college
habits he had ever heard of, and 1t
made him feel shy and i'll at ease.
The boy at the window turned
around and looked earnestly at Ed
ward Blake.
"You needn't be afraid of me If am
a sophomore. won't bite you"
/ "I'm not afraid of you or anybody"
replied Edward Blake quietly.
"Well, that's what like you for, l
guess. That was a good one you gave
Rankin about the monkey cage. he
thinks because his father gave this old
hall to the college that he owns the
whole concern"
Edward Blake listened while work
ing at his trunk straps. When he had
unlocked the trunk, he did not open it,
however, and the boy by the window
noticed the same hesitating look he
had seen once or twice before.
! ''Well, must be going. By the way,
I forgot to tell you my name or else
you forgot to ask it. I'm Willis Pres
ton. Anything can do for you let me
know. room just over you, hall
above. You'll probably hear from me
more or less whether you return my
call or mott -. =
ne grlnned as he walked toward the
door, but there was nothing malicious