The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1916-11-25
BY r. A. MICHEL

When boys summer camps were first
established I'm the United States, at one
or them. located In northern New Eng.
land. were two boys who were chums
They were the very antipodes OF each
other. Both were OF the older boys at
the camp, being between seventeen and
eighteen. Frank Ninton hailed from
Connecticut He was intellectual and
spiritual. Those who knew him best
predicted for him a marked career in
some intellectual pursuit, probably the
church. Edward Davis was from Ar
kansas and a typical southerner. He
was long OF limb. large boned md mus.
cular. He was two years behind his
chum in fitting for college.
Each was in his way n leader OF
other boys. Frank Vinton was usually
intrusted with the management OF the
entertainments got up at the camp and
was recorder. His camp journal was
beautifully written. Davis, who was
universally called Arkansaw. led the
hikes. the canoeing. the swimming In
fact, all the sports. Naturally the
boys, who placed strength and daring
above intellect. admired him more than
Vinton. But ArFansaw ranked him
self far below his chum. What we
possess We do not value: what we lack
we coyet. Arkansaw saw no merit in
his diving from a platform elevated
forty feet above the surface OF the wa.
ter or being able TO throw any boy in
the camp. He would have given his
strength and daring for the ability 10
learn Latin grammar, which was be.
yond his intellectual endowment. For
this reason, perhaps, he was pleased
at bis intimacy with the intellectual
vmton.
When the season was ended and the
campers went home the chums regret
ted that they could not enter college
In the same class. VintOn had passed
his entrance examination, but Davis
had still a long period OF study before
him. When Vinton became n junior
Davis became a freshman. or course
he entered the same college as Vinton.
Notwithstanding that they were two
years apart In the college curriculum
they were still chums. Naturally their
associates wondered what was the tic
that bound the brawny southwesterner
and the polished New Englander. The
truth IL, persons don't usually make
friends with their countcrpnrts. They
generally seek what they are not Them
selves
Vinton graduated with high honors.
and while his chum was struggling
through the last two years IN college
nc was studying FOR the ministry The
Arkansan was wanted on the varsity
crew, on the varsity football and base
ball teams. but he could not be in
duccd TO train with any of them He
had as profound contempt FOR mus
cul0r as he had reverence for intel
loctnGl strength.
Davis pulled through college. being
graduated among ne "drcgs," MS ne
called them, Of his class. Ninton
studied theology mt his alma mater,
so that their intimacy was not inter
rupted. When Davis finished his AGA.
demical course Ninton was admitted
10 orders, having taken three years
course In two. They said goodhy 10
each other. Davis with more regret
than his friend, who by this time was
beginning 90 feel the difference be.
tween them. for the clergyman be.
longed TO an arlstocratic family and
was engaged 10 society belle. She
had met Davis and wondered what
her lover could see I'm him 10 admire.
Perhaps this Is the main reason why
vinton parted with his chum without
the regret that was 10 have been ex
pected.
Davis Inherited an estate that rem
dered him independent OF work, but II
would have been impossible for him 10
be idle. An office In the gift OF the
people OF his state becoming vacant
and II being desirable that man not
stained with political iniquity should
be elected, Davis was waited on by
committee from both parties who ask
cd him 10 run for the Office. promising
him n sure election. He was too DUN.
founded for awhile Co reply. then said
that a better man than he was needed
FOR the duties involved. But the com
mittee would not accept his refusal
and left him assuring him that he
would DO elected whether he ran or
not
This was the beginning Of political
career that was thrust upon Davis. but
II lasted only q short time. for he &c
came disgusted with politics. and when
his friends proposed 10 nominate him
for an important state Office he fatty
refused.
One summer five or six years after
he had parted with Ylnton he resolved
to go north FOR visit, taking In his
old chum by the way. The truth is no
had lcaYed TO love the north In sum,
mer while at the boys camp and long
ed 70 get back into the northeastern
territory where he could enjoy the
pool woods and waters.