The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1907-11-14
POTTER'S
PUNISHMENT
By JAY PALMER
lcococococoooo,o
(Copyrigllt.)

(Copyright)
Eliot Potter was making an expert
ment this summer. He was sick of
tutoring-he hated it, but had tried
1t during former vacations, because
he determined by hook or crook to
work his way through college and
then study medicine; it was his one
ambition, and it had been sufficiently
strong thus far to overcome every
obstacle.
Now, tired out from hard study and
the examinations of his junior year, he
welcomed an opportunity to recuper-
ate among the White mountains and
at the same time to earn little by
accepting a place as bellman at one
of the large hotels.
At first, when the mountain wagons,
with their sturdy four-in-hands and
horns gayly footing, rolled away bear
ing a merry party to the Profile or
Flume, he felt it momentarily irksome
to be "out of it ALL" but he sooned
learned to regard such departures
with equanimity. The people he really
envied We're the occasional pedestri-
ans who tramped from pure love of it,
for he was hardy athlete and loved
adventure. When one of these, al
ways a transient guest. stopped there,
bringing a story of a climb over
mountain or through a notch, it would
set the blood tingling in his veins.
II must do something" he thought,
soon after his arrival, Ito keep going,
or shall stagnate surely"
But what to choose? There was
golf, to be sure-he had been scratch
on the college team, but of course to
play here was out of the question. He
might caddy-the very thing! He
would get exercise and fun out of it,
too. The proprietor, knowing that an
intelligent caddy would be always in
demand, was willing-even glad to al
low him few hours daily for such
purpose; so he found himself speedily
launched on career.
Among the guests at the Star View
was a handsome, quiet young fellow,
Van Dyke by name, whom Potter
rather liked. The fancy appeared to
be mutual, for after employing him
few times as caddy Van Dyke en-
gagged him regularly.
One day two ladies had arrived and
Potter, after directing the men with
the trunks to the rooms engaged, was
hurrying through the hall to the office
when he came face to face with the
younger of the two arrivals-a slend-
er, stylish girl of clear blonde type.
"Mr. Potter-oh, how delightful to
see friend here!" Bewitching was
her smile and frankly friendly the lit
tie hand stretched out to greet him.
But in his confusion and embarrass-
ment Potter did not seem to see it;
he colored like schoolboy and then
went pale. Here am only the bell
man, Miss Wenworth," he stammered.
"Oh!" the tone was icy as her hand
dropped. Il shall take care to remem-
ber." She swept past him with the
air of a princess.
Idiot" muttered Potter, as the
door closed behind her. why did l
say that? How shall bear it to see
Prof. Wentworth's daughter here?"
He knew now that his dream had
been vain; of course, it vas madness
to think to win one ST. far beyond
him; for she was very rich. being the
sole heir to her mothers large for
tune. The unexpected meeting had
made him savage; and-she would
never forgive him.
Indeed it seemed so; for days after
ward she did not appear to see him,
nor would she allow her aunt, who
had met him, to hold any converse
with him. Then she suddenly chang
ed her attitude and began to direct
him, without preface, to do this or
that as coldly and impassively as an
iciclc.
This was bad enough, but worse
was to come. Van Dyke, the indiffer-
ent, fell under her spell-they all did.
for that matter. But-Van Dyke mus
teach her to play golf-the artful CO.
quette! AS if he, Potter. had not on
the college links superintendent her
first drive, tee-ed her balls, carried
her clubs. and taught her SO carefully
that she could almost outplay her
teacher.
1t was gal and worrw BOD to Potter
but he continued to ca.ldy for Van
Dyke-he was too proud to refuse,
nor did he wish to; like the proverbial
moth, he learned no wisdom from his
singed wings. OF course. Miss Went
worth began an outrageous Irritation
with Van Dyke, to the silent wrath
IF the unfortunate Potter.
Van Dyke may whistle for caddy
tomorrow" Potter growled under his
breath, one day. "Blest if l cs., stand
it any longer!"
Accordingly the next afternoon he
got leave to absent himself and start
ed on long tramp. He chose a path
through the woods, which near the
hotel led past the site of an old iron
mine years since abandoned. 1t was
an eerie place: he stopped as he al.
ways did to gaze down at the dark