Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1904-09-29

W FulCo plu6lu6 al Ulu CUlu-suuVh-
Ing song.
"Leastways, I'll be near Annie" he
said, with almost sigh. Then he
walked slowly across the yard and
entered the house.
Good EVENING"" Y
'Evenin', sir!"
Trying to cool off some, are you?
Rather warm weather yet-for Octo-
ber."
well, no, sir, wasn't here for
that particular purpose; but 1t is
about as cool place as I've struck,
this side O. the mountains. Just
stopped to take look at the old coll
lege as l was passin'."
The first speaker was DR.. Black.
wood, the venerable president of Wa.
tauga college, dignified 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 magnifi.
cent water-oak and gazing intently
at the college building. In the road
few steps away stood 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 DISPOSE
lion 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 your"
ooh, yes, doctor, I've seen 1t 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 EN-. don't you see?"
The doctors next step was to in.
quire the strangers name, for he
had become deeply interested In his
story
"Arvey," came the answer, and the
strangers rough, brown hand took
within its strong grasp the soft, white
one of the doctor.
From Stump House?"
eyes, sir"
Related to Tom Arvey that grad.
mated here In 1897"
eyes, sir, he's my younger brother"
''You don't say sol" exclaimed the
I'D gentleman. "Why, am truly,
glad to know you, Mr.. Arvey. How
s Tom getting along? The last news
had of him he had gone out west
loon after graduating-four years
Igo 1t must be-"
"Yes," replied Arvey, "Tom went
vest just four years ago. never
leard from him since he left; don't
ven know IL he's alive. He was to
elp me through college, but, poor
elbow, don't know what's become
+ him. It's all right now, anyhow,
or I'm too old. Besides, the home
tas all broken up by deaths and mar
iages, and it was powerful lonesome
vim in the old house all by myself
AN | couldn't a. asked Annie to
ait on me any longer. We're mighty
Apply in our little home up yonder;H
ut I've never quit dreamin' of the
,llege education I expected to have,
a every time come down this way
set here an just look at the old
lace over there. An, somehow, it
wys seems to make me feel better
an go back to Annie with light
an stronger heart. We've got q
,e little Teller at home, just year
d-named Tom; I'm goin' to send
m down here some day to take my Z
ace an live out my dream for me-"
The mountaineer shaded his eyes
It'll his hand and looked at the sun
the west. From a group Of stu
nts sprawling on the grass near
e college came the strains Of an
l song:
"Oh, he never cares to wander from
J own Preside"
Now I must get started for home"
said, "for it's gettin' late; good
DOCTOR"
A moment later whip was cracked
er the heads Of the little mules,
the white-covered wagon was
milling away toward the mountains.
National Magazine.