Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1935-07-11
Old Grad Week
Bv JAMES BOLGER
q Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate.
WNU Service.

Brown. Meet my son, Matt"
"Charley Davis! Meet my boy, too,
Charley"
Old Grad week in Pleasantville, and
that scene was repeated hundreds Of
times during the day.
Matt Brown wandered about the old
Grounds. A huge smile on his face,
he kept chuckling and always that
right hand was ready and willing to
clasp the hand Of an old classmate.
By his side strobe his boy, Jerry.
He ran the mile in the fastest distance
clicked, and the other boys pointed
him out to their fathers as Jerry
Brown, that sensational miller.
Jerry seemingly didn't hear the COM
ments but Matt did, and his heart was
warm within him that his boy had done
so well.
81 tell you, jerry" he said, "there's
nothing like it. To come back to the
old school and march along with your
old classmates. Just wait till you've
been out as long as have and then
see how you reel ABOUT It.
He chuckled again and glanced at
Jerry. But a shadow had crossed Jer-
rvs face and there seemed to be q
look of pain in his eyes.
II guess so, dad. I'll probably feel
the same way"
Matt faced the boy squarely. "Tell
me, jerry" he said, quietly, his broad
face set in determined lines, the same
determination that had enabled him to
reach the top in hard fighting world
"There's something wrong, and I want
you to let me help you. Is it your
exams?"
NO." said the boy. "I'm third man
in my class"
swell, then, what else can it be-?
Is 1t a girl? Money? / can't think of
anything else. You know, Jerry, that
I'm willing to back you to the limit
You don't have to hesitate around your
old dad"
I'D like to ask favor of you, dad"
Jerry said suddenly, swiftly. Then:
"But-no, guess I'd better not"
"Jerry!" There was startled sur
prise in the older mans voice. "Jerry,
haven't always loved you and helped
you? Have ever failed you in any
way whatever?"
dad, you've been the best dad to
me that anyone could have been.
That's why it seems so small to find
fault now"
He seemed to swallow lump in his
throat. Its about your introducing
me to everybody as your boy. Couldn't
you change it? 1t would mean so
much to me-"
Jerry tried to see his dads face but
1t was turned from him. Matt Brown
seemed very interested In a group of
grads across the street. Strange how
they seemed so dim and shimmery.
II understand, jerry" he said slow
~, thickly. IL guess I've been sell
fish, my boy. I'll try not to be that
way again."
Jerry threw out his hands. 81 knew
it would hurt you," he cried. "But,
l thought" his voice faltered for a
moment. He was thinking of the boy
he'd never known. He went on after
little silence. II know and realize
all you've done for me, dad. 1 can
never repay you. You never hid from
me the fact that 1 was your adopted
son. 1t never was a shock to me to
md 1t out later. But you don't know
how I envy the fellows around
here. :"
he looked at Matt again to see how
ne was taking 1t. But Matt stubborn
ly kept watching the group on the
other side. Jerry shrugged his sheul-
ders. There was hopeless note in
his voice now.
Gee, dad," he said. II didn't real
lze that you would take it so hard.
can't you see 1t my way?" But as the
other still did not answer he seemed
to sense the futility of his hopes. "Just
say anything" he muttered, 1T doesn't
matter now"
Matt faced him with stormy eyes
A~u VAGUE uuIL III IueIu. NE
spoke quietly. "I'll call you anything
you want, jerry" he promised. "Just
tell me-"
VIII you, dad? Just once, at least?'
Jerry's eyes were alight, his face was
nushed with some inner Joy. dad,
just once call me your son when you
introduce me?"
Jerry" There was a huskiness in
Matt Browns usually controlled voice,
mistiness in his eyes that made Jer-
ry seem blurred and indistinct. "And
all the time l thought" his voice
broke. He held out both hands. "Jer-
~, my son! !"
They stood there, soul to soul. Sud-
ueniy hand was placed on Matt
BROWNS shoulder. Matt turned. Could
ne trust his voice not to break?
Dan Morrison Meet my son,
jerry"
Dan Morrison wondered at the fierce
PRIDE that was in good old Mats voice
as ne introduced his son. Then he re-
Inpnhnrnd A -