St. Landry clarion. (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, 1901-11-23
THIRTY-YEARSAFTER

James Mitchell came out of the
hotel office of the Great Northern the
other morning with his cigar between
his fingers and a toothpick in his
mouth. He had been in the city five
days on business, and few minutes
this morning in an office over on
LaSalle street would see it wound up.
When James left home in Denver,
q week before, his partner had said to
him: "Don't be in a hurry about
coming home; take it easy; every
thing is in good shape, and we will not
miss you for couple of weeks"
He threw his toothpick away and lit
his cigar and bought morning pa
per. After devouring the news that
interested him his eye caught the
name of the town up in Wisconsin
where his last college days were spent.
tENext week is commencement up
there, is it, and I haven't been up there
since I left school in '68. Believe I'll
run UP for day and look the old town.
over, and see if it has changed any,"
Walking out to Dearborn street he
turned his gaze to the north. "Be
hanged if don't do tit will do me
good. I'll be a boy again for one day,
anyway" Arranging his business
matters at once he wired his partner:
Everything satisfactory; going upin
Wisconsin couple Of days" At
11:30 he was on his way, and in few
hours was nearing the old college
town.
II guess the best room in the house
isn't any too good for me this trip"
thought James, for he was a boy
again, and bound to get his moneys
worth. NsS
After supper he hurriedly lit a.
cigar, and climbing the college hill.
walked labout the well-shaded
grounds. eThe building looks small
er, but the trees have grown some.
Thirty-three years this month since
I came out of that old camp. How
time flies" -
He walked about the grounds in
the long June twilight, and returned
to the hotel by cireuitous route.
Passing an old-fashioned residence a.
few blocks from the college he stopped
and gazed at it for long time. son.
that porch 7 bade Anna King. good
by, wondering then when 7 would see
her again, but l never did. Poor girl,
she died 25 years ago., He walked
down the electric lighted streets, look
ing in the young faces he met for the
usual commencement crowd was in
town., wondering why he did not
meet Ezra or Fred, for you see he was
a boy again, and looking for boyish
friends.
The college bell awoke him the
next morning. 1T sounds natural"
unused our friend. 81 mustn't be late
this morning" He shaved and
bathed, thinking his face wasn't quite
SO smooth as last time he had shaved
here, thesday he went home, and the
gray hairs were plenty enough now.
'Never mind, I'll be boy to-day any
how" Nine o'clock found him again
walking about the college grounds
with his hands behind his back, and
a cigar in his mouth. Sitting down
on a shaded bench his thoughts went
back to his last week at school. my
room used to be in the third story in
the nearest corner. Wonder what
kid habit this term. Across the hall
Snow and Taylor roomed. Snow I
lost track of-Taylor is a rich lumber
man in northern Michigan" So in
tent had cur friend become engrossed
in his thoughts he had dnotnotieed the
bevy Of young girls, who, coming out.
of the ladies' hall, sat down on the
lawn in the shade near him. Uncon-
sciously their conversation attracted
his attention, and before he knew it
he was interested. 'Sweet girl grad
aates, most of them; it soundsnatural
70 hear them chatter. Wish I could
serape up an acquaintance. Wonder
if they would feel offended if I walked
over and interviewed them. Believe
I'll try it. Guess my age viii protect
me-" But fate was kind to him and
made his introduction easy.
Ida Gray" one Of them said,
speaking to companion short dis
tance from him, q thought you told