Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-09-09

Good evening""
 'Evenin', sir!"
 Frying to cool off some. are you? Rather warm weather yet--for Octo- ber."
 Well, no. sir, I wasn't here for that partic'lar purpose; but it is about as cool place as I've struck, this side O. the mountains Just stopped to take a look at the old col lege as was passin'"
 The first speaker was Dr. Black wood, the venerable president of Wa tauga college, dignif1ed but kind hearted. tall and straight m 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 Tn 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 disposi- tion to move on, the stranger, with an air of deference, 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 it's architecture that interests you?'
 "Oh. yes. doctor. I've seen 1t 8 good many times. To tell the truth l 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 seer"
 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 it's strong grasp the soft, white one of the doctor.
 From Stump House?"
 'tYes, sir''
 Related to Tom Arvey that grad uated here in '88?" ,
 stYes, sir, he's my younger brother" 1" 'You don't say sol" exclaimed the I old gentleman. sWhy, I am truly I glad to know you, MT. Arvey. How is Tom getting along? The last news l had of him he had gone out west soon after graduating-f four years ago it must be?"
 l 'sYes," replied Arvey, From went west just four years ago. never heard from him since he left; don't even know if 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, 4 for Pm too old Besides, the home was all broken up by deaths and mar. I riages, and 1t was powerful lonesome twin 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 wonder; l but I've never quit dreamin' of the college education expected to have, an every time come down this way I set here an just look at the old place over there. An, somehow, it 4 alw'ys seems to make Tie feel better --an' go back to Annie with light. CT an stronger heart. We've got 3 fine little feller at home, just 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 l with his hand and looked at the sun in the west. From group of stu dents sprawling on the grass neal the college came the strains of an old song:
 "Oh, he never cares to wander from his own fireside' 4 "Now I must get started for home { he said, flor it's gettin' late; good by, doctor"
 I A moment later whip was cracked over the heads of the little mules and the white-covered wagon was rumbling away toward the mountains National Magazine.