The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1902-02-07

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do the same by your
1t was the only serious word that
Edward heard from Willis before the
train started with him aboard that
afternoon. 1t touched him In spite OF
the other things that annoyed and even
angered him. When the familiar fig
ure vanished from sight that afternoon
down at the station, with the memory
Of great crowd from the college pres
ent to see him off and shower ribbons
and flowers on him, Edward carried
back up the hill kindly and even
fearful remembrance of the handsome,
smiling Willis. And as the distance
between them daily widened and he
pictured the dangers that awaited that
regiment in those faroff islands Ed
ward Blake. with thousands Of others
in America. wished godspeed to the
ones who had gone, while still in his
fast forming and developing mind he
had his doubts concerning the right
eousness Of the struggle there and
wondered If his increasing horror Of
bloodshed and his growing dislike for
war were morbid streak in him on
account Of the great majority Of col
lege opinions that were so different
from his.
1t was at this time In his college
career, with all the excitement of these
historical events adding to the interest
he already felt in his life since leaving
home, that Edward Blake began the
practice of writing, which had so much
to do with the shaping of his mind
and the crystallizing of his thoughts.
The president suggested the idea to
him, and Edward eagerly adopted it..
The literary tone of the debating So
cieties and the college journalism was
at low point. The editors of the
monthly paper were elected every fall
at mass meeting Of the students, and
each class had proportionate repre-
sentation. Edward was elected with
two others to represent the sophie
more class. Talking over the matter
with the president day or two later,
the president asked Edward IL he had
ever written very much.
"No, sir. used to do little scrib-
bling at home on the farm winter even
ings, but that's ALL"
Ever had any of it printed in the pa
pers or anywhere"
"No, sir" replied Edward, smiling
some to think Of the impossbiity Of
such thing.
Tell you what l would advise this
new board Of editors to do. Why don't
you form little circle among your
selves for the express purpose Of rails
ing the standard of composition In the
college? Let each member Of the board
write at least one article a week for
some well known paper or magazine
and submit 1t for publication. After
all, there Is no test quite so severe
for what you write as the test, VIII
any paper or magazine want 1t and
pay for 1t? l know that very often
this is no test of the real worth Of q
piece Of literary work, but, on the other
hand, 1t Is more or less of a severe
test of good work. Then, If you have
any articles accepted and printed by
other papers, reprint them in the col
lege paper, by permission, and invite
criticism Of the articles from other
writer's among the students"
Edward was so impressed with the
presidents advice that at the first
meeting Of the new board, where they
talked over the interest Of the college
publication, he advocated the forma-
ton Of such circle as the president
suggested.
To his great delight every member
of the board favored the plan, and
the circle was organized then and
there. There were six seniors, four
juniors, three sophomores and two
freshmen. AS it happened, they were
nearly all above the average age for
students In their respective classes.
Some of the seniors had done consider
able writing during the college course.
All of the editors were ambitious for
the success Of the paper, as it was the
college rule that all profits from 1t
should be divided proportionately
among the editors. This rule was after
ward modified so as to leave q portion
OF all profits in q sinking fund, to be
used for the development Of the paper
itself.
Edward was very busy now, what
with his paper route, his special work
for the president, some Of which con-
tinued even after the return of his
secretary, and his regular studies. The
football team. was "after him again.
and matters had taken turn in such
a way that Edward was seriously
the. possibility that he
might play again. Pearsons had not
come back, and, under President
Royce's management, it was exceed
ingly unlikely that the custom of hir-
ing nominal students would be con-
tinued. But the fascination of attempt
ing something for publication attracted
especially at this time, and
for several weeks he wrote one article
a week and submitted 1t to the other
editors for criticism. According to the
simple rules of the circle, these articles
became the property Of the college pa
per only IL they were accepted and
paid for by some other paper, and be-
fore being sent out they were subject
ed to the severest criticism and discus
sion.
1t would be almost q separate story
by itself to relate all the experiences
Of that little circle of inexperienced