St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1922-03-18

II anybody in particular had got back
to college yet. l didn't even mention
the name of Dora Yo-- Keep off O.
me- My goodness, but you are sensi-
tivew
AS matter Of fact, neither Of them
I saw Dora until the first meeting of the
Lumen, whittier they went as sopho-
lnores to take their pleasure In the
agony Of freshmen debaters. Ramsey
was now able to attend the Lumen, not
with complacence but at least without
shuddering over the recollection Of his
own spectacular first appearance there.
He had made subsequent appearances.
far from brilliant, yet not disgraceful,
and as spectator, at least, he usually
felt rather at his ease In the place.
1t cannot be asserted, however, that
he appeared entirely at his ease this
evening after he had read the "Pro-.
gramme" chalked upon the large easel
blackboard beside the chairman's desk.
Three FRESHMAN Debates" were an
nounced and Sophomore Grafton"
this last being followed by the name,
ID. Yocum, 49," Ramsey made Inn
mediate and conspicuous efforts to
! avoid sitting next to his roommate,
but was not SO adroit as to be sue
cessful. However, Fred was merciful:
| the fluctuations Of his friends COM
plexion were an inspiration more to
| pity than to badinage.
The three debates all concerned the
Causes OF the War In Europe" and
honors appeared to rest with a small
and stout, stolid1y ''pro-G German" girl
debater, who had brought with her
and translated at sight absa-loot proofs
ESQ she called them), printed In Ger
man, that Germany had been attacked
by Belgium at the low tnstigation Of
the envious English. Everybody knew
1t wasn't true: but she made an i'm
preston and established herself as q
debater, especially as her opponent
was quite COMPOUNDED by her introduce
ton of printed matter.
When the debates and the verdicts
were concluded, the orator appeared,
and Fred's compassion extended itself
so far that he even refralned from
looking fnquisitively at the boy In the
!. seat next to his; but he made one side
Of wager, mentally-that If Ramsey
had consented to be thoroughly con-
fidential just then, he would have con-
fessed to feeling kind o. funny.
Dora was charmingly dressed, and
she was pale; but those notable eye
lashes Of hers were all the more no
table against her pallor. And as she
spoke with fire. 1t was natural that
her color should come back quite fam
tnglv and that her eyes should flash In
shelter of the 1ashes. 1.-THE Christian
Spirit and Internationalism" was her
subject, yet she showed no meek SAM
pie OF a Christian Spirit herself when
she came to attacking war-makers
generally, as well as all those "half-
developed tribesmen" and victims Of
herd instinct" who believed that war
might ever be justified under any cir
cumstances Of atrocity. She was elo-
Quent truly, and picture Of grace
and girlish dignity, even when she
was most vigorous. Nothing could
have been more militant than her de-
nuneiation Of mllitancy.
"she's an actual WONDER" Fred
said, when the two had got back to
Mrs. Meigs' afterward. Don't you
look at me like that; I'm talkin' about
her as public character, and there's
nothtn' personal about 1t, You let me
alone"
Ramsey was not clear as to his
duty. "Well-"
If any person makes a public
speech" Fred protested, Il got a per-
feet right to discuss 'em, no matter
what you think of 'em"-and he added
hastlly-"or don't think Of 'eml"
Look here"
"Good heavensl" Fred exclaimed.
'You aren't expecting to interfere
with me If say anything about that
little fat Werder girl that argued for
Germany. are you? Or any Of the
other speakers? got a, right to talk |
about 'em just as public speakers,
haven't II Well, what say is: Dora
Yocum as an orator Is just an actual
perfect wonder. Got any objections?"
"N-no."
"All right them" Fred settled HIM
self upon the window seat with pipe,
and proceeded, "There's something
about her, when she stands there, she
stands SO straight and knows just what
she's up to, and everything, why,
there's something about her makes the
cold chills go down your spine-I
mean my spine, notsyours particular
ly! You sit down. mean anybody's
spine, doggone itl' And as Ramsey
Increased the manifestations of his
lifting a tennis racket over
the prestrate figure, "Oh, MURDER"
Fred said, resignedly. "All right, we'll
change the subject. That fat little
Werder cutie made out pretty good
case for Germany, didn't shef'
Ramsey disposed himself In an easy
chair with his feet upon the table,
and presently chuckled. "You remem-
Der the time had the fuss with Wes-
ley Bender, back In the ole school
days?"
"Yep."
"All the fubdub this Werder girl got
off tonight puts me in mind Of the
way l talked that day. I can remem-
Der it rs well as anythingl Wesley
f~,P l