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

udLuSev WAS not quite Qtnlete
enough for any Of the varsity teams:
neither was he an antagonist safely
encountered whether In play or In
earnest, and during the next few days
he taught Fred Mitchell to be eau
tious. The chatter learned that his
own agility could not save him from
Ramsey, and so found 1t wiser to con-
tain an efferyescence which sometimes
threatened to burst him. Ramsey as a
victim was continuous temptation.
he was so good-natureds and yet so
furious.
After Commencement, when the
roommates had gone home, Mr. Mitch
els caution extended over the long
sunshiny months of summer vacation;
he broke it hut once and then in we'll
advised safety. for the occasion was
semi-public The two were out for
stroll on a July Sunday afternoon;
and up and down the street young
couples lolled along, young fam:lies
and baby carriages struggled to and
from the houses Of older relatives, and
the rest of the world of that growing
city was rocking and tanning itself on
Its front veranda
Here's right pretty place, isn't 1t,
Ramsey, don't you think?' Fred re-
marked innocently, as they were pass
ing lawn OF short-cllpped, bright
green grass before genlal-looking
house, fresh In white paint and cool In
greenland awnings. A broad
veranda, well populated just now,
crossed the front Of the house; fine
trees helped the awnings to give COM
fort against the sun; and Fred's re-
mark was warranted. Nevertheless
he fell under the suspicion of his COM
panion, who had begun to evince some
nervousness before Fred spoke.
''What place you mean?"
1.-THE Yocum place." said Mr.. Mitch
ell. II hear the old gentleman's mighty
prosperous these days. They keep
things up to the mark, don't they,
Ramsey?"
~ cont know whether they do or
whether they DON'T Ramsey returned
shortly
Fred appeared to muse regretfully
ut looks kind of empty now, though"
he said, with only Mr.. and Mrs. Yo-
cum and their married daughters, and
eight or nine children on the front
porch p
you wait till l get you where they
can't see usl'' Ramsey warned him
fercely.
''You can't do It'll" said Fred, mani
Testing triumph. We'll both stop right
here in plain sight OF the whole Yo-
cum family connection till you promise
not to touch me-"
And he halted, leaning back I'm
placably against the Yocum's iron
fence. Ramsey was scandalized.
"Come ont he said hoarsely. Don't
stop here!''
II will, and If you go on alone I'll
yell at you. You got to Stand right
here with all Of EN- lookin' at you
until"
IT promise! My heavens, come onl"
FRED consented to end tine moment
Of agony; and for the rest of the sum-
mer found It impossible to persuade
Ramsey to pass that house In his COM
pany. II won't do til" Ramsey told
him. "Your word Of honor means moth
In to me; you're liable to do anything
that comes into your head, and I'm
gettin' old enough to not get reputa-
tion for bein' seen with people that
act the idiot on the public streets. No,
sir; Well walk around the block-at
least, we will If you're goin' with met"
And to Fred's delight, though he
concealed 1t, they would make this de-
tour.
The evening after their return to
the university both were busy with
their trunks and various orderings and
Of their apartment, but
Fred several times expressed surprise
that his roommate should be content
to remain at home; and finally Ram
sey comprehended these implications.
Mrs. Melgs' chandelier Immediately |
jingled with the shock Of another crash
upon the floor above
You let me up!' Fred commanded
thickly, his voice muff1ed by the pile |
Of f1annels, sweaters, underwear and
wherein his head was being
forced to burroW. 'You let me up.