Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-12-28
.AToUCH QE HUMAN CHARITY
tThs story of College Compact,
.uopyr,xnl. Oy Joseph 5. Bowlss.5
sy ELLIOT FLOWER

much preferred to patronize the best but there were circumstances that made this inadvisable He was about to meet his old college chum, James Dawkins.
 I It was with sigh that James Daw. kins put on shabby suit of clothes. I He much preferred to wear garments of good cloth and make, but there were circumstances that made this inadyisable. He was about to meet his old college chum John Hutchings. F They met with apparent cordiality, but there was something of restraint in the greetings exchanged; each seemed to be taking mental inven. tory of the other. Then they sat down in the hotel office to talk. The first impulse of each was to invite the other to the cafe for lunch, but each refrained.
 Well. old man. said Dawkins at last, you're looking prosperous Prosperous. exclaimed Hutch ings. Remember the kind of hotels we patronized in our college days? l Does this look like one of them? 1 Prosperous! Huh!' Well" returned Dawkins, with 1 sigh, it would seem pretty good to me to be able to put up at this hotel" "You!" calculated Hutchings. Why. you're looking finer than silk. I'd pick you out for winner anywhere" These clothes :" "Oh. rich men are never dandies" l "Rich!" cried Dawkins, as if he had been accused of some crime Why. Jack. I've been trying for two months to scrape up enough to get my wife . new gown" T never could afford to marry" said Hutchings dismally. What" Couldn't afford it, actually couldn't afford it." Dawkins laughed without any joyousness. i T couldn't afford to remain single.' he said.
 What"
 Only the well.to-do men can afford to remain bachelors. The poor al ways marry
 Hutchings looked annoyed. Purely relative matter" he ar gued. "Matrimony may be economy in some instances, but never for a really poor bachelor. envy you, old man. I've often wished I could afford a wife and home. Look at the old hat I'm wearing. They made me pay in advance for an outside room on the top floor"
 My boys toes were out of his shoes when I left home," remarked Dawkins, despondently. :.
 There was a long silence, during which both looked solemn and uncom. fortable.
 Tt is 25 years since we parted" said Hutchings reaectively, when the silence had become somewhat dis. dressing.
 Twenty-Five years tonight" said Dawkins.
 What dreams we had them" with a deep sigh.
 If they had been but half fulfilled, l would be happy"
 Half" exclaimed Hutchings. Say quarter. a tenth"
 "A twentieth. even."
 That old compact"
 Each gave the other a quick look. They were sparring for points, and the game had reached critical stage.
 T remember it." said Dawkins quickly.
 T thought perhaps you had forgot. ten it"
 Goodness. no! I couldn't forget that: 1 couldn't afford to-
 Nor l."
 We agreed that 25 years later, at this meeting the more prosperous should go to the limit of his means to give the other any assistance he I might require
 That's 1t. The poorer could call i on the other for anything he might need. and the latter was bound to re- | lieve those needs so far as possible
 There. was another silence. during which each grew even more uncom. fortable. Each was reviewing what \ the ether had said. It was Hutchines who finally spoke.
 'Jim." he said. with a sudden re. i solve. "are your wife and children | hungry?"
 Why. CT. no. not exactly"
 "Because I'd rather be hungry my. self than have kids and women suf l fer. Id strain a point"
 Jack" broke in Dawkins. ifs tha, the best hat you've sot?-
 Why. CT. mo-"
 Because know how particular you | always were In the matter of dress. and it pains me to think -
 -old man. are your boys toes really out of his shoes7"
 "why. they were. yes: but that- because he hadn't pu, them in. The i shoes are all right Now. as 10 those hard luck stories you said you could tell I'm not very strong financially but hate 10 think
 -oh. those are stories of other peo I ple's hard luck
 same here
 Each esve.a sigh of relief. and their hands met in firm clasp.
 Honest. Jack said Dzrkins. ~rd do anything in reason for you. hu, uas afraid yoT.-d corne a,nur r, ,..