The Farmville herald. [volume] (Farmville, Va.) 1890-1934, 1904-11-25


said. with almost sigh. Then he
walked slowly across the yard and
entered the house.
Good evening""
'EYenin, sir"
Trying to cool on some. are you?
Rather warm weather yet-for Octo-
ber."
well, no, sir, wasn't here for
that partic'lar purpose; but It is
about as cool a place as I've struck,
this side o. the mountains. Just
stopped TO take a look at the old col
lege as l was passin'."
The first speaker was DR.. Black
wood. the venerable president Of Wa
tauga college, dignifed but kind
hearted, tall and straight IN spite OF
his years-a perfect picture Of the
old southern gentleman. While walk
ing across the campus toward his
home he had come upon the stranger
seated on the ground under a magnif-
cent water-oak and gazing intently
at the college building. In the road
a few steps away stood a white-cov-
cred wagon to which two sturdy look
ing little mules were hitched. In the
background beyond the college
stretched the dim outlines Of the
Blue Ridge
AS the doctor showed no dlsposi-
tion to move on, the stranger. with an
air of Difference, rose to his feet and
leaned his long, gaunt form against
the water-oak. The doctor contin.
ued
you have never seen the build
ing before? Or is there something in
its architecture that interests youY
"Oh, yes, doctor, I've seen It a
good many times. To tell the truth
king o" love the old place, somehow;
used to think I'd come TO school here
myself, but my dreams never did
come true Still. love to stop here
an watch the boys an Just imagine
I'm one OF 'em. don't you see?"
The Doctors next step was to In
qulre the strangers name, for he
had become deeply interested in his
story.
"Aryey," came the answer, and the
strangers rough, brown hand took
within its strong grasp the soft, white
one Of the doctor.
From Stump HcGse?"
''Yes, sir"
Related to Tom Aryey that grad.
uated here in 1872"
"Yes, sir, he's my younger brother"
you don't say SOL" exclaimed the
old gentleman. "Why, am truly
glad to know you, Mr. Aryey. How
is Tom getting along? The last news
had Of him he had gone out west
soon after graduating-four years
ago II must be?"
yes" replied Arvey, tom went
west Just four years ago | never
heard from him since he left; don't
even know II he's alive He was TO
help me through college. but poor
fellow, don't know what's become
OF him. It's all right now. anyhow,
for I'm too old. Besides, the home
was all broken up by deaths and mar.
riages, and it was powerful lonesome
lIvin' in the old house all by myself
an / couldn't "a asked Annie TO
wait on me any longer. We're mighty
happy in our little home up yonder;
but I've never quit dreamin' OF the
college education I expected TO have,
an every time I come down this way
I set here an Just look at the old
place over there. An, somehow, II
alw'ys seems to make me feel better
an I 90 back TO Annie with light
er an stronger heart. We've got
fine little feller at home, Just a year
old-named Tom; I'm goin' to send
him down here some day TO take my
place an live out my dream for me-
The mountaineer shaded his eyes
with his hand and looked at the sun
in the west. From a group OF stu
dents sprawling on the grass near
the college came the strains OF an
old song:
"Oh, he never cares to wander from
his own freside"
"Now I must get started for home"
he said, "for it's gettin' late; good
by, doctor"
A moment later a whip was cracked
over the heads Of the little mules,
and the white-coyered wagon was
rumbling away toward the mountains.
National Magazine.