The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1912-05-03
The Grind

Fletcher, respondent in white fan
nels, deposited an armful Of books on
a wicker table, and, dropping upon a
swinging couch ON the shadiest side
of the porch, lighted with elaborate
carelessnsaB oonspicuously new Gala
bash.
"Why,. Fletcher" exclaimed his
mother. do you smoker"
"Now, mater, please don't agitate
yourself about q little innocent to-
bacco," replied Fletcher. "A fellow
that's got to grind the way l have
must have some consolation. You
know I've got trlg and French both to
make up this vacation. Old Prof.
Hatch has got 1t in for me on that triS
exam and you know II don't pass |
can't be in any college athletics. l
suppose instead Of coming up here
with you people ought to have stayed
in town with tutor"
"oh, no, dear. I think you'll be able
to study very we'll here. l was hoping,
too, that you'd feel like working on
the place some this summer. You
know we haven't a man now and your
father thought you'd like to keep the
grass cut and help Ted and me with
the garden"
Il would, mater, II hadn't the con-
founded work to do, but after I've cul-
tivated my French verbs won't have
much time to cultivate the garden.
N'est-ce-pas, ma chere mere2 wish
you'd keep the kids of this end Of the
porch. I've got to have quiet for
study"
'what's that you're at work on now.
Fletcher"
"oh, thlsP Well, les Just a novel,
that fellow, lent me. Everybodys
talking about 1t. but it's no good. l
was just glanclng through It to see
how It comes out. Sorry | can't be
more soclable, mater I'd like to bick-
or with you, but trig and French are
the paramount issues this year. I've
got to get little pep into myself and
make good, What times lunchP"
zone o'clock"
The mother moved softly away and
quietly gave instructions to her young
or children, who looked at their col
lege brother curiously and rather
grudgingly left the porch. In few
minutes Ted, the next Oldest to Fetch
or, crossed the lawn with a pail OF
whitewash.
Say, Fletch," no shouted, come
along and help me mark the tennis
court"
There was no answer from the
swinging couch.
"Fletch aren't you going to help me
with this dope?"
mo, I'm not. I've got to grind and
I wish you'd stop yelling. l can hard
ly hear myself think"
"oh, pawdon me, Mr., Sophomore,
returned Ted, still loudly, but with ex'
asperatlng humility. 81 really forgot
to whom l was speaking"
"oh, 90 on" ordered Fletcher. Then
he shook his head at his little sister
who appeared In her bathing suit and
asked him to give her q swimming les
son.
Cant, Dot. Haven't time for any
thing but quick dips this summer. Now
run away and let me work. Oh, bring
me a match, will you, Dot. This pipes
gone out"
When the calabash was once more
lighted and quiet again reigned
Fletcher resumed his novel, There's
no use trying to study until l find out
whether the English guy gets the girl,
he murmured.
An hour later his mother came out
Of the house tying q motor veil over
her hat. I'm sorry to interrupt you
Fletcher" she said, "but thought
maybe you'd like to drive me into
the village to do the marketing"
'In that old 1909 Ice wagonI No
thank you, mater. dear, Let Ted take
you. I'm Just getting a good start on
my trip formulas. Ted's lucky not to
have any studying to do. He's got
plenty Of time to drive you anywhere.
Eyes, OF course, I only thought may
be you'd like going out In the car"
There's no Joy riding for me this
vacation. Let's see, now-one plus
tangent equals secant squared"
For almost ten minutes Fletcher re
peated this formula aloud and he was
still murmuring 1t when the sight OF
q tall girl in a MILDLY blouse, coming
through the gate carrying a tennis
racket, brought him to his feet with q
bound.
why, Helen, how do you doH
didn't know you had come to the lake
yet" he cried as he ran toward her
mighty glad you've got your racket
Wen have set or two and swim
before lunch. want to show you my
Lawford stroke. Say, Helen. It's great,
your being here. Now there'll be
something doing"