The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1907-01-29
kTOUCH Of HUMAN CHARITY
The story OF a College compaot
BY ELLIOT FLOWER
1Copyrighl. by Joseph b. Bowies)

| tCopyright. ny Joseph D. bo"IeS'l |
II was with a sigh that John Hutch
lngs went to a second-rate hotel lie
much preferred to patronlze the best
but there were circumstances that
made this inadvisable. He was about
to meet his old college chum, James
Dawklns.
II was with sigh that James Daw'
kns put on a shabby suit OF clothes
He much preferred to wear garments
of good cloth and make, but there
were circumstances that made this
inadvisable He was about to meet
his old college chum John Hutchings.
They met with apparent cordially,
but there was something OF restraint
in the greetings exchanged; each
seemed to be taking a 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.
We'll. old man. said Dawkins at
last, you're looking prosperous"
Prosperous exclaimed Hutch
lngs. "Rememblr the kind of hotels
we patronlzed In our college days?
Does this look like one OF them?
Prosperous! HUH"
Well" returned Dawkins, with n
sigh. 1T 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. Id
pick you out for a winner anywhere
These clothes"
"Oh. rich men are never dandies.'
"Rlchl" cried Dawkins. as II he had
been accused OF some crime. why,
Jack, I've been trying for two months
to scrape up enough to get my wife a
new gown"
Il never could afford TO marry" said
Hutchings dlsmally.
What"
Couldn't afford II. actually couldn't
afford t." Dawkins laughed without
any joyousness
Il 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 a relative matter" he ar.
gued. "Matrimony may be economy
In some instances. but never for q
really poor bachelor. ! envy you. old
man I've often wished 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 we're out OF HE
shoes when left home" remarked
Dawklns. dospondently.
There was a long silence. during
which both looked solemn and uncom
Portable.
1t Is 90 years since We parted.
said IIutchlngs refectiyely. when the
silence had become somewhat dis
trcssing.
twenty-five years tonight" said
Dawklns.
What dreams We had thenl" with
deep sigh.
III they had been but half fulfilled,
I would be happy"
"iIalfl" exclaimed Huiohlngs. Say
. quarter. a tenth"
"a twentieth. even"
THAT old compact"
Each gave the other a quick look
They we're sparring for points. and
the game had reached a critical stage
4 remember H." said Dawkins
quickly.
4 thought perhaps you had forgot
l ten a."
Goodness. no. couldn't forge,
that. couldn't afford TO-"
Nor I.
we agreed that % years later. al
this meeting the more prosperous
should go 10 the limit Of his means
10 give the other any assistance he
might require"
That's II. The poorer could cal
On the other for anything he might
need. and the latter was bound 20 re-
licye those needs 80 far az possible.
There was another silence. durinl
which each grew even more uncom
Portable. Each was reviewing whaI
the other had said Il was Hutchlngl
who finally spoke.
"Jlm." he said. with a sudden 70
solve. ARE your wife aud children
hungry"
Why. or. no. not exactly"
because ia rather be hungry my
self than have Kids and women sui
Ter I'd strain a point"
Jack" broke In DawkIns. "is thai
The best hat you've eot7'
Why. or. no."
Because know how particular yol
always we're In the matter OF dress
and Il pains me 10 think -"
"old man. are your boys toes rcall!
out Of his shocs7"
Why. they we're, yes: but that
because he hadn't put them In. Thu
shoes are all right Now. as 10 thoa'
hard luck stories you said you coul,
tell. I'm not very strong financially
but I hate 20 think"
"oh. those are stories OF other pee
Plies hard luck"
Same here"
Each gave n sigh Of relief. and thcl
hands met in a firm clasp.
Honest. Jack" said Dawkins. II,
do anything In reason for you. but
was afraid you'd come down or m
for n thousand dollars or so. 10 sc