Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1910-01-21

II Wdb LOAhhiNAAtNAASht WtNh ~ eAAN
old university, a busy week and on
the whole a delightful one. There
were partings that were saddening;
there pleasant ties sundered; there
was the break up of the life that had
grown dear to many of these virile
young men. but in the demands and
the hustle Of the parting hours un-
pleasant reminders were kept in abey-
ance.
A student OF the senior year emerg-
ing from one of the gray old dormi-
tories almost ran into classmate
who was hurrying by.
''Hlllo. Foster"
Excuse me, Craig. didn't notice
where was going"
whats wrong. old ehap?"
He was good fellow at heart, this
Craig in spite of his fathers money
and the spelling influence Of doting
mother and sister.
John Foster looked around.
Nothing really serious. Just a
disappointment"
Craig fell into step beside him.
II need little violen exercise my
self, he said. (which way?"
'To the telegraph Office
"Brownlee told me something
about an engineering job you hoped
to get. Has this something to do
with it?n
Eyes. They have wired me to
Eaeet the CHIEF engineer of the line in
Chicago tomorrow He's making up
party to look after their Arizona
extension
"Just what you wanted. isn't it,"
'Yes. I'm very glad to get the
opening"
And everything is all right at the
college end of the line, isn't it?"
"Oh, yes. The dean knows all
about It, He has given me letters Of
Introduction to several people,"
when do you start?"
"This morning."
"Too bad you miss the show, but
that isn't all that's bothering you, is
1t? Need any money!"
''No," Foster replied quickly.
That's all right. then. It's the
only paneea for trouble that I know
anything about. Can't I help you in
some way9D
They had not been at all intimate,
these two. John Foster was a boy
with his way to make in the world,
q boy of very limited means. He
had little time for amusement and
could afford few friends. Arthur
Craig was the only son of a million
aire. Life to him was largely play.
His set was the liveliest and most ex-
elusive in the university. There was
really nothing in common between
the two, save their allegiance to the
same alma mater. Once when an un-
usually severe examination in a study
that had especially bothered Craig
was close at hand, Jim Brownlee had
brought John Foster up to Craig's
rooms, and they had put in several
evenings together to such good ad-
vantage that Craig stood the test in
really commendable way. He had
offered to recompense Foster for his
services and had been emphaticaIly
repulsed
Foster looked round at Craig with
a quick smile.
Thank you" he said. I'm afraid |
it Isn't anything you could remedy. |
I'd better explain I'm worrying |
about my uncle David. You see he
is TO be here to-day. All through |
my four years he's been looking for
ward to commencement week. and to |
being here with me during the last
days at the old school. ] can't tell
YOU how much | owe to Uncle David |
He's taken care of me since | was a
child Of three. He sent me here.
You can't understand what that
means He's only farmer but mod
erately successful Yet he has CON
trived to send me here and to send
my cousin Helen another orphan
to Vassar. Now he's coming to pay
me that long expected visit-and I
can't even be here to greet him when
he arrives. And counted so much
on showing him around.
That's too bad" said Craig. SYM
pathetically. He paused for a mo-
ment. See here. old chap he cried
let me look after your Uncle David. =
"Youi"
why not7 I'm foot loose.
haven't anybody coming. Mother and
sis are in England with my mar
ried sister. Lady Heathcote Dad is
in San Francisco, My time is my
own. You trust Uncle David with
me don't get chance to do any
tiffas decent very often. Let me have
this one>sa
Foster lookeGsst him doubtfully.
My uncle is plain man. a man
of simple tastes. he said.
mot another word, cried Craig.
''Tell me how 10 identity him. and
what to say to him when meet
him
This is very good of you, Craig
said John Foster, a little brokenly.
And he put out his hand
Arthur Craig was on the station
platform when the 1890 train from
the north came in. There were quite
number Of passengers to alight. but
presently he fancied he saw the man
he wanted, He was a tail. slender
r-~ho stopped a little a plain fea-
- man with gray hair and short
3eard- His clothes were gray.
I'd so was his soft hat. and he
jn old fashioned leather trav-
stepped to the platform he
eQut inquiringly.
~eame forward. ,
fvington, I beIiev-7,'
I'd the old man. 81 I
ON"
im John Fosters