The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-26
A President-EIect.

Quite aside from its natural char acteristics, there is an atmosphere about a college town, especially N w England college town, that Is unmistakable. It is not so much actively intellectual as passively aware of and satisfied with its own intellectuality.
 The beauuful little town of Corinth ssswas no oxception: from it's tree shaded village green to the white columned homes on it's outskirts 1t fairly radiated a satisfied sense of its own superiority.
 No- that the people were snug or , self -conceited. They merely accepted the fact that the University of Cor inth was among the best in the coun- try and that all true Corinthians were both proud and worthy of it.
 The university had just passed through the throes and thrills of one 5sof its own presidential elections. | es The contest of the candidates had been long, and at last the strife had ! sbecome bitter. Two factions strove ; sefor supremacy, one, the conservative side, adhering to old traditions; the other, the modern spirit, preferring -gnew conditions and progressive en- terprise.
 Hard waged and hard won, the bat tie had resulted at last in the cleo ton of John Waring, the candidate of the followers of the old school. s. Varing was not an old fogy, nor yet 8 hide-bound or narrow minded back number. But he did put men- tai attainment ahead of physical prowess, and he did hold by certain old-fashioned principles and methods which he and his constituents felt to be the backbone of the old and hon sored institution.
 Wherefore, though his election was an accomplished fact, John Waring Ina made enemies that seemed likely never to be placated.
 ,~sBut Warnings innate serenity and acquired poise we're not disturbed by 'ead erse criticism. And he accepted the position of Irespcnsibility and trust, simply and sincerely with & determination to make his name hon rored among the list of presidents.
 Inauguration, however, would not tako place until June, and the months from February on would give him time to accustCm himself to his new saduties, and to learn much from the sretiring president.
 y-t 1t must not be thought that John Waring was unpopular. On the acontrary, he was respected and liked by everybody in Corinth. Even the rival faction conceded his ability, his sterling character and his personal ssoharm. And their chagrin and dis more because of their desire for the sGther candidates innovations than of any dislike for JohnN Waring as man.
 Now, whether because of the ~exigencies of his new position, or merely because of the irresistible Charms of Mrs. Bates, Waring ex- spected to make the lady his wife be- fore his inauguration.
 And a good thing" his neighbor, Mrs. Adams observed. John Waring sought to've been somebody's good looking husband long ago, but bachelor president of Corinth is out of all reason! Who'd stand by his side at the receptions. I'd like to know?"
 For certain public receptions were W Corinth. and Mrs Adams was one of the most reception-loving of all.
 As in all college towns, there were various and sundry boarding houses, inns and hotels of all grades, but the boarding house of Mrs. Adams was, without a dissenting voice. acclaimed the most desirable and most home M like.
 70 known as "Old Salt" was by no means seafaring man, nor had he f ever been. Instead, he was leaf on branch of the Saltonstall family tree. and the irreverent abbrevia- M tion had been given him long ago, and had stuck
 "Yes, indeed" Mrs. Adams asserted, we've never had a bachelor presi- dent of Corinth and I hope we never will. Mrs. Bates Is a niece sweet spoken lady, a widow of four years standing. and do say she's just the I one for Dr. Warnings wife She has dignity. and yet she's mighty hu- man"
 Emily Bates was human. Not very tall, little inclined to plumpness, with fair hair and laughing blue ieyes, she was of a 'zy, home-loving sort, and her innate good nature and ready tact were unfailing.
 Warnings appeal. but he persisted .N.~ big, wholesome man, and without much difficulty learned to love him.
 Waring was distinguished looking rather than handsome. Tall and we'll made, he had a decided air of re- serve which he rarely broke through, but which, Emily Bates discovered could give way to condolences show ing depths of sweetness and charm
 The two were happily matched. 2 Waring was 42 and Mrs. Bates half a dozen years younger. But both seemed younger than their years, and re- tained their earlier tastes and en- fA thusiasms
 2. Also both were bound up, heart and soul. in the welfare of the uni versity. Mrs Bates first husband had been one of Its prominent professors and it's history and traditions were known and loved by the cheery little lady.
 Perhaps the only person in Corinth who was not pleased at the ap- uuplldlS OI JOnn w arlnS and Emily Bates was Mrs. Peyton Waring's present housekeeper. For it meant the loss of her position < which she had faithfully filled for Y ten years or more. And this meant the loss of good and satisfactory home. not only for herself, but for her daughter, Helen, 8 girl of eigh- teen, who lived there also.
 Not yet had Waring told his house. keeper that she was to be dethroned, but she knew the notice would come knew, too, that it was delayed only because of John Warnings disinclina- tion to say or do anything unwel- come to another.
 It was a very cold February after noon, and Mrs. Peyton was serving tea in the cheerful living room. Emily Bates was present: an in- dulgence she seldom allowed herself, for she was punctilious regarding conventions, and Cornith people, after all, were critical.
 The two women were outwardly most courteous. and if there was an under lying hostility it was not observable on the part feither.
 T came today" Emily Bates said, as she took her tea cup from the Jap anese butler who offered it, "because l want to tell you, John, of some rumors l heard in the town. They say there Is trouble brewing for you"
 ''Trouble brewing is such a pie turesque phrase" Waring said. snlil- ing idly, as he slipped his tea "One immediately visions Macbeth's witches - and their trouble brew"
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