Evening journal., 1908-12-16
A Man Of High Degree.
[orIgInal.l

left him an annuity of 5000 so long
rs he remained student In a univer-
sity which she designated
Arthur was eighteen and a half
when he entered college He passed a
splendid examination and was picked
out for head of his class. His friend
Edwin Tyler, entered the same year.
managed 70 scrape through the en-
trance examination and was picked
out for the foot of the class. At the
high school from which the two young
men went to college was Beatrice
Ford. young lady of sixteen, to whom
both were devoted. The brilliant Leigh
ton, however, was far in the lead. and
there was an understanding between
him and Beatrice that when he was
graduated they should be engaged.
During the first year Arthur Leigh
ton took most of the prizes offered,
while Ned Tyler barely maintained a
small fraction over a rating which
would throw him out Of college. Tyler
was somewhat prominent in athletics,
but he was especially interested in
class politics. Not being sufficiently
scholarly to warrant his appropriating
any Of the appointments to himself,
he distributed them among those sup
posed to be fitted for them. Indeed,
he was what might be called the class
"boss." But In the middle of the second
year even this ignoble distinction was
denied him. for he was caught one
night hoisting a calf into the belfry
and expelled.
Leighton was graduated at the head
of his class. He had spent every va
cation with Beatrice Ford. had cor
responded with her and on his gradua-
tion they became formally engaged
Arthur was very much puzzled In the
choice of a career. He was so YER
satile, he seemed fitted for so many
different fields. that he was drawn in
as many different directions. When
the summer had passed he had not
decided. II by the first of October
following he did not return TO college
he would find himself without an in
come He concluded to enter for a
postgraduate course, during which he
would make up his mind as TO his fu-
ture course Had there been a law
school at his alma mater he would
have become a lawyer, for he could
have studied the profession there, re-
ceiving the annuity. But there was
no law school at the university. and
by the terms Of the will he must study
there, and there only.
Meanwhile Ned Tyler continued his
downward course so some of his
friends expressed it-by hunting up
scraps of news and selling them to
newspapers. There seemed only one
occupation lower than this. and he fell
into that too. He became a political
ward manager. He had the while
been stcadfast in his love for Beatrice
Ford. though she was preoccupied with
his rival. One day after an election
she saw his name in the list Of sue
cessful candidates for the legislature.
How fortunate" she said. that
chose Arthur! I always feared that
Ned would go down hill"
At the end of another year Leighton
found himself IN a position TO lose the
benefit OF his course of study unless
he finished It, which would take an
other year. Besides, the moment he
ceased to be a student at the univer-
sity his income would cease. He con
suited with Beatrice, who declined to
advise him. He continued the course.
and when the second year was finish
ed, being still in the same position,
took a third year.
Beatrice did not lack decision, and
when Arthur entered for the third
year his postgraduate course she broke
the engagement. This nearly broke his
heart as well. but he was getting too
old to study a profession, had no taste
for business. and his only way of max
ing living seemed to be by remaining
a student. The consequence was that
when the seventh year of his studies
expired he entered for the degree of
bachelor of philosophy. which required
an additional five years course.
Meanwhile Edwin Tyler. being oblig-
ed to get up on his feet occasionally
and talk to his fellow legislators. grad
ually attained the reputation of saying
more to the point in fewer words than
any Of them. He was nominated for
lieutenant governor and elected. The
governor died. and Tyler became gov
ernor. While he occupied the latter OF
fee. hearing that his old sweetheal
was disengaged. be proposed again.
Beatrice had seen one Of her lovers
begin high and remain on the same
level. which means to sink. Another be-
gan low and climbed steadily upward.
She objected to being the wife of
perpetual college boy. but was not
averse to being the wife of a governor.
She had waited seven years for The
college boy and was now old enough
TO Danish some of the sentiment Of
early maidenhood and appreciate real
success. So she decided TO take the
man who she once considered was
''going down hill," and now before the
marriage has taken place the governor
has bis pipe laid for his election to the
United States senate.
Arthur Leighton is coming to the
end Of his fifth year as a student for
the degree of bachelor of philosophy.
his twelfth at college. and, like Alex
ander. who wept because there were
no more nations for him TO conquer, IS
troubled because there are no more
degrees for him to study for. He is
getting gray about the temples and has
a -.