The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-04-13
THE EVENING STORY
Rosa1nond's Freshman.
(By Jane Osborne.)

AhOodI1OHO1S FRESHMAN.
(By Jane Osborne.)
Isn't that perfect Turkish corner,
now?" exclaimed Rosamond Goodwin.
looking with pride and amusement at
the work she had completed can
1910 horse-hair sofa, covered with an
imitation Bagdad rug, Japanese Ian
tern, an Indian arrow, and a French
saber. Did you ever hear of such a
combination in your life?"
why, it doesn't look badly at all,
and it certainly livens up the room -
replied the sister, who was arranging
a row of worn books in a small book
case. Besides, he will never know
the difference-boys never do. And.
nice to have these old books of ours
in here-.Arabian Nights and Gull
liver's Travis and Pilgrims Prog
ress' and those? I'll just put them
here as if we had accidently left them,
and it will make it seem like home to
him."
| 20, Miriam, what funny ideal" ex-
claimed Rosamond, as she threw her
arms about ner sisters neck, Isn't it
just the jolliest thing that ever hap
pened? And I know he's going to be
such nice boy. I can just imagine
how he is going to like your ginger
bread and coffee cake, and custard pie.
! Boys always like sweet things"
Yes, went on her sister with the
excitement of anticipation, land some
times we will leave things for him to
eat in his sitting room here, SO that
when he comes in late at night he
won't have to go to bed hungry. sup
pose he will be going to lots Of college
things at night. I have had an extra
night key made for him, you know"
Rosamond had sunk to the floor at
her sisters side and the two sat laugh
| ing together.
"Of course" said the elder, sudden
| ly grave, 1--WE mustn't let him know
that he isn't working his way. He can
sweep the walks and NOW the lawn
and tend to the fire and the ashes
Eyes," agreed Rosamond slowly,
"but If he ever forgets and of course
he will. we mustn't say anything about
| it. OF course, he will have to study
, hard and take in all the college sports.
know he will be interested in every
thing"
This was the afternoon of Fresh
man Cooks arrival. and the last fin
ishing touches of the preparation, that
had been going on for months for
their expected guest, were in process.
Rosamond, nearly thirty, and Miri-
am somewhat older had decided the
previous spring that they would like
to help q poor student. They lived in
college town where their father had,
before his death, been professor, and
in the college were focused their in
terests. Even Rosamond had long
since given up college games and
dances, but student life was still an
women. They had little money. but
they had a large house where they
might easily enough accomm odate an
extra person. They had asked the
kind-hearted president of the college
about it and he had seemed pleased
with the idea.
''There are always young men," he
told them, who are waiting for such
assistance. If you will put it on the
basis of self-support think can get
you a freshman worthy Of your kind
ness. Let him do all the work about
the house, attend to the furnace,
shovel the snow, run errands, and any
thing that a boy or man could do. This
will not repay you in full for your ex-
pense and pains, but it will put the
matter on a more acceptable basis.
There are always desirable boys wait
ling for a chance to work for their ed
ucation, but few like to accept it as
charity,
dent telling of a Daniel Cook, an ap-
plicant for the freshman class, who
was greatly in need of assistance. His
college course would be impossible but
for this timely assistance.
On this brief note and a knowledge
eral, Miriam and Rosamond Goodwin
made preparations for their guest.
Now everything was in readiness. The
supper table had been set with the
extra place. and the. silver candle
sticks, fitted with fresh pink candles
stood waiting to be lighted.
Her work adonea Rosamond sat on
the old. vine covered veranda, trying
to fix her mind on the book open be-
fore her, but in reality planning
\ ~ T. H.
she had already come to regard with
fond Indulgence.
A man carrying suitcase was walk
ing UP the driveway "a stoop-
shouIdered man of, thirty or more
"a book agent muttered Rosa
AS he stood before her she caught
the look of eagerness and expectation
In a flash she realized that 1t was
Daniel Cook.
At first Rosamond covered her dis
appointment and Mr.. Cook concealed
a smile as he saw the carefully fur
nished rooms that had been set aside
for him He explained simply and i'm
personally how his education had been
cut short in his .boyhood. how he had
supported his family, and how after
! his thirtieth birthday he was ready to
begin his college work-to fit himself
| for the future he knew lay brilliant
before him. He had at times almost
despaired he told them, OF going on
with his plans. until the president told
him of the present chance of earning
his board.
At the end of the second day, Mr..
| Cook met Rosamond on the veranda.
There was a look of disappointment
on her face that did not escape him.
| In the man before her there was moth
ling of the youthfulness. or spirit, of
the moor student for whom she and
| her sister had planned and saved all
through the summer;
at would like to speak to you mo-
ment," he began rather pervously. II
think 1 came here under complete mis-
Iund erstanding. I thought there would
| be enough work to do to pay for the
privileges 1 received. I hardly under
stand what the arrangement is to be-"
you can NOW the lawn suggested