The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-03-25
The EVENING STORY
In His Mothers Name.
(RY Rob M CannheII L

James A. Brown, A. NJ. Phi. D., head
or the Department of Philosophy of
Upper Heights University, handed the
letter to the college president with
boyish look was on his face as he
stood in the presidents office that
bright spring day. after all these
years." he thought.
Now, the president of the big insti-
tuition of learning read the message.
1t was an invitation from the high
school in the professors home town.
asking him to address the graduating
class.
The older man beamed upon him.
will accept ?''-the last with an infiec-
ton indicating that assent was ex-
pected if not desired.
Professor Brown nodded. He was
too overcome to speak. The president,
unheeding, continued:
I'VE are glad that our institution is
to be represented at Smithton, espe-
cially by one who has been reared
there. 1 have not noticed the name
of 'Smithton in our catalogue. Do you
know what college the majority of
Smithton students attend after they
graduate from the high SCHOOL,"
The former Smithton man smiled,
drawing his lips down at the corners
of his mouth as he replied:
Every few Of them continue their ed
or too Indifferent
THAT means an opportunity for mis-
sionary work. mouthed the senior ed
ucator, looking up over his glasses.
Then the electric bell announced
chapel and the regular routine of ed
ucation began.
The next week Professor Brown was
being entertained at the home of a
prosperous merchant of Smithton. His
host had been classmate of Brown
n 10 vii col he
honor. The merchant and his wife
were slightly in awe of their distin-
gufshed guest And the university man
was unconsciously just trif1e conde-
scending. How he had risen while his
former claSsmate had Jagged behindi
So he thought as in his room in the
spare parlor" he finished his address
to be delivered to the graduates that
evening. The grand finale was tact
full. but glowing account of the advan-
tages offered to the ambitious by Up
per Heights University. The professor
re-read it complacently
Hope this will lift them out of the
rut.' he muttered as he left the room
and entered the sitting room.
Here he met his host and hostess
little five-year-old daughter. She was
pretty child, with broad forehead
and face as sweet as a fower-bud.
Mammals at the neighbors borrow
ing eggs for supper" she announced,
he had taken seat.
Brown was annoyed. He was a con-
firmed bachelor and not used to chill
dren. But some instinct, long dor
mant, caused him involuntarily to
place his hand on the soft brown hair.
The child nestled her head on his
shoulder and said:
Mamma told me not to bother you,
but I'm not afraid of you even if you
are smart. Papa's smart, too, mamma
| Fa,,+ l, Iva TO
WHY" asked the grown man.
"Cause, why mamma she says papa
he had to stay at home and help grand
ma" was the unexpected reply. But
that" continued the girl, was long
time ago, before I was borned."
And som ehow or other the words of
the unschooled child made this
learned man uncomfortable. She was
such a knowing little creature. withal
| wonderfully interesting and Iovable.
Before he knew it he found himself
petting the rose-petal cheeks and
/ learning much of the narrow, but use
full life of the little ones parents.
! They and the girl that evening sat
| in the front row at the hall where the
| commencement exercises were to be
| held. In the same row was the mother
| of the valedictorian of the class, a boy
| in his teens.
He sat on the stage with the others
| of the class, a small collection of
fully self-conscious and perspfring.
The whole scene carried the speaker
back to his own high school gradua-
tion and, with his mind on the past,
he rose for his address.
my friends and fellow town-peo-
ple," he began, 1 assure you it is a
great pleasure and honor to address
you upon this OCCASION 1t is an oc-
casion of promise. Never before in
the history of our glorious nation nave
| rx-off in o.
those who are equipped to meet them.
He checked himself and smiled. How
many times when a boy he had heard
such statements, in nearly the same
words However, because he knew
not what else to say, he continued his
carefully prepared speech.
Tt was one of those talks, very con-
ventional and tinged with the egotlsm
of the self-made, but which appeal
powerfully to ambition. 1t was the
kind that may be the Inspiration of
many a great man, but it was also
filled with the fire which might impel
many an Immature youth to leave
needy home, and pit his ability against
fearful odds in efforts to attain
This would be the effect upon the
valedictorian The speaker saw it in
his face, which was turned to the little
woman on the front row. For an IN
slant Brown followed the gaze. He
saw the boys mother and in his own
characteristic SisASO
saw all-the painfully neat and pain
fully cheap black bonnet and dress, the
work-gnarled hands with their out
standing blue veins, those hands be-
fore which was so much more toll II
her boy should -leave-which now
were clasped in eagerress. Brown
knew her past of struggle
For an instant the audience ap-
peared to fade. The man saw frail
] old woman sitting all alone in a kit