Evening star., 1935-04-08
GREAT RICHfS|
MNAakeeQ NosUe fastsIsaAsG

On the other hand, James might
need the money very urgently. In the
novels she had read the young heroes
often got into desperate straits for
want of little ready cash during the
process known as sowing wild oats"
How James, in 48 hours and under
the watchful eyes of his preceptors,
could have already begun to plant
his oat crop his aunt could not figure
out. Miss Sarah'S thoughts were as
delicate as wild cherry blossoms.
When something was forced on her
notice that she did not consider
mice" she preferred to shut her eyes
and pretend it was not there.
But in a matter where her duty
lay plain before her, Miss Sarah could
be counted on to keep her eyes fully
open no matter what the cost to her
sensibilities. Therefore, after pray
ing for help until her knees ached,
Miss Sarah rose to what she felt was
''crisis" and prepared to do battle
as best she was able.
She wrote James a long and (for
herr firm letter in which she warned
him against temptation, and wondered
how he possibly could have spent
such a sum in two days. But having
finished the letter without yielding,
she added two postscripts:
p. S.-Do not think, my dear
nephew, that I have not faith and
confidence in your fortitude. But
forewarned is forearmed, as you know.
inclose a postal order for $40. You
must make it do till the end Of the
term. Aunt Sarah.
"P. P. S.-Of course, II anything
should occur that would make the
possession of more money imperative,
you must let me know I trust, how
ever, no such contingency will arise.
"AUNTIE."
The letter embarrassed James ter
ribly. When he answered it he re-
ferred only vaguely to Aunt Sarah's
warning. The letter made him feel
more alone than he had ever believed
possible.
A longing for his grandmother more
overwhelming than he had yet ex-
perienced swept over James and
twisted and tore his heart. His
grandmother would have understood.
His grandmother would not have
prated about temptations. 1t came to
him as If for the first time that when
he went home his grandmother would
not be there. He would never see her
again.
1t was years before James could
bear to look back and relive his first
weeks at school.
James room was on the third floor
front of the Bliss residence and di-
rectly below him was suite occupied
by two upper clasSmen, who had
achieved. respectively, positions no less
exalted than the captaincy Of the foot
ball team and the editorship Of the
school paper.
The captain of the foot ball team
friendly footing with even the lowliest
and most insignificant. The editor
of the paper, being student of hu-
man nature, saw in James something
Of the pup the Judge had visualized
shut out in the cold and trying his
best not to whine.
Consequently, their mightinesses
were on the whole inclined to be
friendly, even though they jibed at
James and his native State for the
good of his soul.
Unfortunately, James remembered
the judges advice to go slow in max
ing friends and ignored the friendli-
ness. Later, when he had discov-
cred the eminence Of the two who
dwelt just below him he was too
proud to make any but the most ten
tative advances, which were in turn
ignored. James Immediately retreat
ed into the fastnesses of his own soul