The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1916-08-24
CopyrIght by Small. Maynard 8 comnanr

| uon. de considered Francis quite pre-
cocious and had never ceased to be
proud OF him. Francis had always
been Willett's beautiful boy"
II John Willett and his son had
drifted away from each other-and
John had to admit that in spite of it
all this was measurably the case-the
man argued that one must expect It.
A boy can't be kept tied to his parents
front porch. Willett had many a time
looked back to that farewell talk with
Francis on the eve of the latter's de-
parture for st. Michael's. He had been
confident that his son had profited by
the talk. There had been others. too: /:
and John had felt each time that he
was probing the depths of his boys ma
ture. touching him vitality with the
right influence.
Once or twice Francis had got out
over his head in money matters. His
father, protesting mildly. had paid the
few hundred dollars required to sat
isfy the demands of tailors and shoe
makers, perhaps too freely patronized.
He remembered how fne Francis had
looked on his last visit home-a boy to
be proud of-or. rather. a man. And
in less than a year. now, he had ex-
pected his son to come home and enter
his own office. There was plenty OF
work to make an ambitious young fell
low interestedly active
But this letter from the dean! He
read 1t once more.
My Dear Mr. Willett:
1t is my painful duty 20 inform you that
your son. Francis Willett, became involved
in most unfortunate affair on the night OF
/ November 10. and his participation was OF
! such nature that IL cannot be overlooked
by the college authorities.
| / will spare you unnecessary details
but Will say that excessive indulgence I'm
| stimulants led three of our students to an
propriate a public automobile which has
| resulted In arrest and arraignment upon
several charges, including that OF theft.
| disorderly conduct, reckless driving. and
| the operation of motor vehicle while
| intoxicated.
1t has been the fixed rule of the faculty
that in the absence OF thoroughly extenu-
| aung circumstances, any students hailed
| Into court for misdemeanors should be
| dealt with most severely: and in the pres
| ent instance L am left no alternative. The
| young mans resignation has been asked
| for and received.
l believe he secured release from Gus
| tody under suspension OF sentence, and
may consider himself most fortunate to
escape far more serious consequences.
| Regrettng beyond expression the disap-
| pointment and chagrin which this occur
renee must cause you. not only as IA
! ther' but as an alumnus. remain.
Very respectfully yours.
WALTER ]. HACKETT.
Dean of the College.
The door opened and Willett looked
up. Francis had entered almost upon
the heels Of the postman who had
brought the damnlng letter.
Very humbly and woefully the young
man crossed the room and sank into
chair. He did not look at his father
nor offer hand in greeting. Willett
surveyed his son steadily for some
minutes without speaking.
"Did you-did you get a letter from
the college?" asked Francis.
YES"
Then there's no need of my telling
you"
I'm afraid there is not much that
you can add, Francis. What will your
mother say2"
Francis looked up quickly.
"Oh. dad" he said, docs she need
to know?"
81 have never been in the habit OF
decelving your mother. should not
know how to go about IT, Perhaps
you would do It more skilfully."
Don't, please don't" he begged. "It
wasn't such at wasn't so awfully
bad. We didn't mean any harm. We
weren't ourselves"
Whose fault was thatT"
"I--er-nobOdys: IL was the wine
we had been drinking everybody does
It. Wed won a big football game. and
we were celebrating"
"Oh. celebrating SO to celebrate Il
IS customary TO disgrace yourself. And
everybody does II, eh?"
why, almost everybody"
you say everybody does It. That
isn't true. There are doubtless scores
OF fellows who don't; the majority. I'm
fact. Isn't that soY'
"Oh, suppose so; but"
"But what? You mean to say the
associates you chose all do ltY"
'No. but"
Listen, Francis You are crying
DaDy, ana 10 Us almost as much disap-
pointment TO me to have you do that
as &c IS TO learn OF your disgrace. You
cannot blame anybody else for your
trouble. You chose your own com
panions. your own road. There is no
hope for you-you have no future-if
you make a silly, childish practice OF
lodging the responsibility for your
own misconduct. That is all I have 10
say.
"Now 7 Will try to do what I can to
soften this thing for your mother
Meanwhile we will decide what you
would better do. You must 10 to
work. Of course"
Here IN the Office with your"
"No. not yet. I don't want you with
me for the simple reason that you must
learn 20 be independent You have
bad one opportunity and have failed
Perhaps 70 was my fault in that I was
too lndulgent; I gave you too much
money Things came too easy. I viii
try 10 get you a place where you Will
earn inst enough 10 live On Won NAV