Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1904-09-29
The M0untaineer's
Dream
BY HUGH A. C. WALKER

/ brooded over the little vale!
town for year had changed to a buzz
of excitement. Commencement was or
again at Watauga college; the towr
was full of enthusiastic alumni and
visiting friends from every corner Of
the surrounding country.
1t was on different errand that
the two Arvey brothers had come
down from their home on Stump
House in their white-covered wagon.
Only month before their father had
died, leaving his large family depend
emit upon the two grown-up sons, and
they we're at Watauga for the purpose
of Strengthening up his small business
affairs and making certain arrange
ments concerning the management of
their little mountain farm.
This required only short time,
however, and on Tuesday morning
they found themselves drifting with
the crowd toward the college. wholly
ignorant of the exercises going ON
there. The scene on the inside was
a revelation to both, for never before
had an Avery, from Stump House,
been within college building. There,
upon the high old rostrum, sat the
young men of the graduating class,
clothed in their best. the center of at
traction to all the vast assembly be-
nnn hxy CT hnR
the audience, and with fervent, rustic
eloquence delivered their graduating
speeches, each of which called forth
enthusiastic applause, loads of flow
ers. and crash of discordant
music from the noisy brass band
in the gallery. Then, when the
speeches were all over, the gayly be-
ribboned diplomas were handed to
the graduates by the president, after
which came more applause and an
other rapturous burst of music from
the gallery. The scene-impressive
TO those who were most accustomed
to Watauga commencements-w
one which remained forever fadeIess
IN the memories of the mountaineer
brothers.
The Arveys' journey home that aft
,rnoon was an unusually quiet one.
For hour after hour neither spoke;
10th sat gazing in kind of trance
lpon the mountain scenery which had
,een familiar to them from childhood.
70 sound disturbed the stiffness ex-
ept the rumble Of the wagon and
he hoof-strokes of the little mules
Ipon the fiinty mountain road. It
vas the older brother who broke the
Hence.
"Tom," he said. I'm gwine ter
tan on tibet same platform some
ay an say my speech an git my
aper." \
'T've sworn the same, Gus" came
he laconic reply; "the Arveys hev i
OF ter be heerd frum."
1t was doubtless fortunate for the !
rothers that they could not compre- b
end the obstacles that lay between
lem and the doors Of the college; D
9TH had times Of disbursement a
i'd 1t required the strongest deter n
ination, combined with frequent
sits to Watauga for fresh inspira-
On, to keep them faithful. At the
ID Of three years, however, by per- =
stent labor and with the aid of the p
acher at Double Springs, himself
atauga graduate, they had pre-
red themselves for entrance into
llege.
As 1t was found impossible for both h
attend at the same time, the \,
Their delicate situation arose Of .
Gliding which one should first enjoy 70
E coveted privilege. IN
Il s'pose, Gus, bein' the Oldest, you =,
ght to be the first to CO." Tom =,
rather reluctantly. M
But Tom had not proven a very m
,cessful farmer, and that was prob m
y the reason for the plan proposed "a
Gus. -
No. Tom he explained, IF you "
on now an graduate you can Ur
p me along q sight better. Be n,
es, | alw'ys seemed TO have
ID o. knaek o. runnin' the farm; n,
J must 80 nrst" -. ~