The Grangeville globe. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho) 1907-1922, 1915-07-08
His Salutatory
Grafton
By EUNICE BLAKE

uation Is critical, especially II he has
been prominent in college and much is
expected Of him. The question has
been asked, What becomes Of all the
valedictorians? This Is a story of what
became of young man who stood next
to head In his class, but who babe fair
to take a more important stand In life
than any other member.
1t was few days before commence
ment Eliot Ayres, who was expect
ing his mother and sister to hear him
speak at graduation, went to the sta
ton to meet them. Having missed the
train, they failed to arrive, but some
one else arrived whose coming made
considerable difference to Mr.. Ayres.
He was slowly walking away from
the train when he felt pair of arms
with extremely light covering thrown
around his neck, an uplifted face was
thrust against his, and he was kissed
by very pretty girl he had never
seen before. Discovering that she had
made q mistake, she shrank from the
man she had kissed, covering her face
with her hands.
The first impression made upon Ayres
by this sudden clasping was that 1t
was done for the purpose of robbing
him. Involuntarily he put his hand ON
the inside pocket of his coat, where he
kept his pocketbook, and it was not
there.
"Give me my pocketbook." he said
in no very deferential tone.
The girl uncovered her face and look
ed at him. the hot blood mounting to
her cheeks.
what do you mean?" she asked in
dignantly.
There was a refinement about her
that seemed to preclude the possibility
of her being a thief. Besides, her In
dignation bore the stamp of being gen.
uine. Ayres felt again in his pocket
and on looking down on the sleeve of
his coat remembered that he had
changed 1t before leaving his room.
Then 1t occurred to him that he had
not changed his pocketbook as well.
II beg your pardon" he said quite
meekly. II have made mistake as
well as you. left my pocketbook at
home"
Now, why In the name of justice was
not this a fair standoff between the
two? Each had been mistaken; there
fore there was nothing further to do
but for the girl to say, you are quite
excusable," and for the man to say,
Good morning." and, lifting his hat,
deferentially pass on. But what must
the girl do but shoot fire from her eyes
and say:
"Give me your name and address.
My brother will call upon you to
avenge this INSULT"
"But have explained. beg thou
sand pardonsw
"You may beg million II you likel"
But
Never mind Since you refuse me
your name and address, shall have
to locate you. l can point you out"
And, turning on her heel, she swept
out of the station.
The next day about 10 in the morn
ing military band gathered on the
|
rious classes and alumni were marked.
! Young men in caps and gowns began to
pour out of the dormitories, the com
mencement procession was formed and
marched to the chapel for the gradual
; ing exercises. The salutatory Grafton
r was delivered by Ayres. His place
3 was second in rank, but the valedic'
torian was grind. while Ayres was
considered a genius, Of whom great
things were expected when he got into
= the battle Of life
Ayres. being the first man to speak
1 stepped on the rostrum and made hi
: bow to the audience, most of whom
: knowing his caliber, awaited expect
: antly the power of his eloquence.
Mr.. Ayres, looking down on tbs
= benches before him. saw sitting In tn,
] front row the girl whom he had tn,
day before accused of robbing him and
y whose brother was to settle with hin
II for the insult No such revenge wa.
I necessary. The young lady looked VI
II at the salutatorian at the critical mo
!, ment of his life and slew him.
i The first sentence of Ayres' orator
e had been written to arrest the atten
i ton of the audience. 1t was vigorou
sentence of two words. AS Ayre
spoke it 1t was like bringing down
feather instead of a sledgehammel
! And this would apply to his whole ora
n ton The girl In the audience sat look
,e ing up at him with pair Of beautiful
s. liquid eyes filed with contempt. Th
Or most telling utterances she receive
'e with curl of the lip; at those part
'o which were Intended to express grea
= feeling she gave him look Of levity.
The Grafton was a failure Whe
Ayres stepped down from the rostruI
le he knew that his audience had bee
n greatly disappointed in him His mott
n er and sister Joined him and asked hin
On what in the world had been the matte
cS x.-Sk4, ttx. IT., x,s1R them ~ h6. ho