The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1907-01-26
.AJoUCH OF HUMAN CHARITY
trns story Of q college cemDaoo
~ sLLsoT FLOWER


U,opyright. by Joseph b. bowIes.l
It was with q sigh that John Hutch
incs went to q second-rate hotel. ne
much preferred to patronize the pest
but there were circumstances ina.
made this inadvisable. He was ABOUT
to meet his old college chum' Jalnes
Dawkins.
It was with q sigh that James Daw-
kins put on q shabby suit OF clotnes'
He much preferred to wear garments
Of good cloth and make, but there
were circumstances that MADE tnis
inadyisable. He was about to mees
his old college chum John Hutchingss
They met with apparent cordially,
but there was something OF Restraints
in the greetings exchanged; each
seemed to be taking mental 'nven-
tory of the other. Then they sat
down in the hotel ONCE 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 u
last. you're looking prosperous
"Prosperous!" exclaimed Hutch
Ines. Remember the kind OF hotels
we patronized in our college days!
Does this look like one OF them!
Prosperous! HUH"
"Well," returned Dawkins. with q
sigh, at 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 dandfes
"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"
.I never could afford to marry" said
Hutchings dismally.
What"
Couldn't afford it, actually couldn's
afford it." 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 a
really poor bachelor. envy you. old
man. I've often wished could afford
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 l left home." remarked
Dawkins, despondently.
There was long silence, during
which both looked solemn and uncom-
Portable.
| 1T is Is years since we parted"
said Hutchings reflectively, when the
silence had become somewhat dis
tressing.
twenty-five years tonight" said
Dawkins.
What dreams we had then!" with
a deep sigh.
III they had been but half fulfilled.
I would be happy"
Half" exclaimed Hutchings. Say
q quarter, tenth"
"A twentieth, even."
THAT old compact"
Each gave the other quick look
They were sparring for points, and
the game had reached critical stage.
Il remember It," said Dawkins
quickly.
Il thought perhaps you had forgot
ten it."
Goodness. no! couldn't forget
that; couldn't afford to-"
Nor l."
I'VE agreed that rs years later, at
this meeting the more prosperous
| should go to the limit of his means
to give the other any assistance he
might require
That's 1t. The poorer could cali
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.
Portable. Each was reviewing what
the other had said. It was Hutchings
who finally spoke.
"Jim," he said, with q sudden re-
solve, ARE your wife and children
hungry"
why, er, no. not exactly"
Because I'd rather be hungry my.
self than have kids and women SUI,
fer. I'd. strain point"
| Jack" broke in Dawkins, "is thai
the best hat you've eot?"
why, er. no."
Because know how particular yov
always were In the matter of dress
| md II naina mo 70 fhaxlr