WINNING HIS "W"

A Story of Freshman Year at College

by

EVERETT T. TOMLINSON

M. A. Donohue & CompanyChicago New York

1904

PREFACE

In this book I have endeavored to relate the story of a boy's earlyexperiences in college life--a boy who was neither unnaturally good norpreternaturally bad, wholesome, earnest, impulsive, making just suchmistakes as a normal boy would make, and yet earnest, sincere, andhealthy. We all have known just such boys and are grateful that they areneither uncommon nor unknown. 

Perhaps it may add a little to the interest of this tale if it is statedthat many of the events described in it actually occurred. I have nottagged a "moral" upon it, for if the story itself shall not bear its ownmoral, then the addition will not add to it. 

EVERETT T. TOMLINSON. 

Elizabeth, New Jersey. 

CONTENTS

CHAPTER

 I. THE OPENING TERM

 II. PETER JOHN'S ARRIVAL

 III. NEW FRIENDS AND NEW EXPERIENCES

 IV. A CLOUD OF WITNESSES

 V. UNSOUGHT ATTENTIONS

 VI. A RACE IN THE DARKNESS

 VII. SPLINTER'S QUESTIONS

 VIII. THE PARADE

 IX. THE WALK WITH MOTT

 X. A VISITOR

 XI. THE PERPETUAL PROBLEM

 XII. THE MEET

 XIII. WAGNER'S ADVICE

 XIV. THE ADVICE FOLLOWED

 XV. A REVERSED DECISION

 XVI. TELEGRAMS

 XVII. PETER JOHN'S DOWNFALL

XVIII. AN ALARMING REPORT

 XIX. A RARE INTERVIEW

 XX. A CRISIS

 XXI. THE EXAMINATION

 XXII. A FRESH EXCITEMENT

XXIII. THE RUSH TO COVENTRY CENTER

 XXIV. THE MYSTERY OF THE CANES

 XXV. ON THE TRAIL

 XXVI. ST. PATRICK'S DAY

XXVII. CONCLUSION

CHAPTER I

THE OPENING TERM

"I've got a letter from Peter John. "

"What's the trouble with him? He ought to have been here yesterday orthe day before. "

"I'm afraid Peter John never'll be on time. He doesn't seem to havetaken that in his course. He'd never pass an 'exam' in punctuality. "

"What does he want?"

"The poor chap begs us to meet him at the station. "

"What train?"

"The two-seventeen. "

"Then we've no time to waste. Is he afraid he'll be lost?"

"He's afraid, all right. "

"What's he afraid of?"

"Everything and everybody, I guess. Poor chap. "

Will Phelps laughed good-naturedly as he spoke, and it was evident thathis sympathy for "Peter John" was genuine. His friend and room-mate, Foster Bennett, was as sympathetic as he, though his manner was morequiet and his words were fewer; their fears for their friend wereevidently based upon their own personal knowledge. 

For four years the three young men had been classmates in the SterlingHigh School, and in the preceding June had graduated from its course ofstudy, and all three had decided to enter Winthrop College. The entranceexaminations had been successfully passed, and at the time when thisstory opens all had been duly registered as students in the incomingclass of the college. 

Foster Bennett and Will Phelps were to be room-mates, and for severaldays previous to the September day on which the conversation alreadyrecorded had taken place they had been in the little college town, arranging their various belongings in the room in Perry Hall, one of thebest of all the dormitory buildings. The first assembling of the collegestudents was to occur on the morrow, and then the real life upon whichthey were about to enter was to begin. 

The two boys had come to Winthrop together, the parents of both havingdecided that it was better to throw the young students at once upontheir own resources rather than to accompany them, reserving theirvisits for a later time when the first novelty of the new life would begone. 

And on this September day the novelty certainly was the most prominentelement in the thoughts of both boys. The task of arranging theirvarious belongings in their new rooms had kept both so busy thatthoughts of the homes they had left were of necessity somewhat rare, andthe vision of the family life in which they had been so vital a part hadnot as yet come to take the place in their minds which it soon wouldoccupy. 

At the hotel where they had been staying there were many other boys whowere in a predicament not unlike their own, but the very fact that allwere alike new to the life and its surroundings had made every onesomewhat diffident and the warm friendships and cordial relations thatsoon were to be formed were as yet not begun. 

Will Phelps and Foster Bennett, however, had been so completely taken upwith their own immediate tasks that they had little thought for otherthings. At the time when this story opens their study room was ready forcallers, as Will expressed it, and the adjoining sleeping rooms were ina fair way for occupancy. Indeed, the boys planned that very night tosleep in the dormitory, and the experience was looked forward to as onewhich they both would enjoy. 

Will Phelps, a sturdy young fellow of eighteen, of medium height, withstrong body and a bright, keen expression in his dark eyes, had been themost popular of all the boys in the high school from which he hadrecently graduated. Not over-fond of study, he had somewhat neglectedhis tasks until his final year, and though he had then begun to workmore seriously, his late effort had not entirely atoned for the neglectof the preceding years. An only son and not rigidly trained in his home, he had not formed the habits of study which his more serious-mindedroom-mate, Foster Bennett, possessed. But almost every one who met theyoung student was drawn to him by the fascination of his winning ways, and realized at once the latent possibilities for good or ill that werehis. His success would depend much upon his surroundings, and thoughWill was sublimely confident in his ability to meet and master whateveropposed him, it nevertheless had been a source of deep satisfaction tohis father and mother that he was to room with his classmate, FosterBennett, for Foster was of a much more sedate disposition than hisfriend. Taller than Will by three inches, as fond as he of certainathletic sports, still Foster was one whom enthusiasm never carried awaynor impulse controlled. When people spoke of him they often used theword "steady" to describe him. Not so quick nor so brilliant as Will, hewas not able to arouse the response which his room-mate seldom failed toelicit, nor was his promise in certain ways so great. Will might dobrilliant things, but of Foster it was said that 'one always knew whereto find him. ' Naturally, the two boys in a measure complemented eachother, and their friendship was strong and lasting. 

Peter John Schenck--no one ever thought of referring to him by anotherterm than "Peter John"--the third member of the high-school class towhich reference has already been made, was a boy who every morning haddriven into the little city of Sterling from his country home, and inhis general appearance was decidedly unlike either of his classmates. The influences of his home had been of a different character from thosewhich had surrounded his two friends. Not that the love for him had beenless, but certain elements of refinement had been lacking and hisfamiliarity with the ways of the world was much less. Besides, hisfather had been in humbler circumstances, and Peter John was to room incollege in Leland Hall, one of the oldest of the dormitories, where theroom rent was much less than in Perry Hall and more in accord withPeter John's pocket. In school he had been made the butt of many a joke, but his fund of good nature had never rebelled and his persistence wasnever broken. Tall, ungainly, his trousers seemed to be in a perpetualeffort to withdraw as far as possible from his boots, while his handsand wrists apparently were continually striving to evade the extremitiesof his coat sleeves. His face was freckled, not the ordinary frecklesproduced by the heat of the sun, but huge splotches that in color almostmatched his auburn-tinted hair--at least his sister was prone to declarethat the color of his hair was "auburn, " though his less reverentschoolmates were accustomed to refer to him as a "brick-top. "

But Peter John was undeterred by the guying of his mates, and when hehad first declared his intention to go to college his words had beenreceived as a joke. But it was soon discovered that in whatever lightthey might be received by others, to Peter John himself they were theexpression of a fixed purpose; and so it came to pass that he too hadpassed the entrance examinations and was duly enrolled as a member ofthe freshman class in Winthrop College. 

When his determination had been accepted by his mates, some of them hadmade use of their opportunities to enlarge upon the perils that laybefore him--perils for the most part from the terrible sophomores whowere supposed to be going about seeking their prey with all thefierceness of a roaring lion. Peter John had listened to the marveloustales that were poured into his ears, but so far as his expression offace was concerned, apparently they had been without effect. Nevertheless, deep in his heart Peter John had stored them all and hisfear of the class above him had increased until at last just before hedeparted from home he had written to his friend Will Phelps informinghim of his fears and begging that he and Foster would meet him at thestation and protect him from the fierce onslaughts, which, he confessed, he expected would await him upon his arrival. This letter Will Phelpshad found at the little post office when he made inquiries for his mail, and upon his return to his room it had provided the basis for theconversation already recorded. 

"We'd better go right down to the station, then, Will, " Foster had said. 

"All right. Peter John will be in mortal terror if he shouldn't find usthere. He probably believes the sophs will have a brass band and knivesand guns and will be drawn up on the platform ready to grab him just theminute he steps off the car. "

"Not quite so bad as that, " laughed Foster. "But we'll have to help thepoor chap out. "

"Sure. Come on, then, " called Will as he seized his cap and startedtoward the hallway. 

"Hold on a minute. Wait till I lock the door. "

"'Lock the door?' Not much! You mustn't do that. "

"Why not?"

"It isn't polite. "

"What are you talking about?" demanded Foster. 

"Just what I'm telling you. Freshmen mustn't lock their doors, that'snot the thing. The janitor told me not to, because the sophs will takeit as a challenge to break it in. He said the college had to put sixtynew locks this summer on the doors here in Perry. "

"Looks as if something had happened for a fact, " said Foster slowly, ashe glanced at some huge cracks that were plainly visible in the panels. "Sure 't'll be safe?"

"It'll be all right. The janitor says so. Come on! Come on, or we'll betoo late!"

The two boys ran swiftly down the stairway (their room was on the thirdfloor of the dormitory) and soon were on the street which was directlyin front of the building. As they walked rapidly in the direction of thestation, which was a half-mile or more distant from the collegebuildings, the sight which greeted their eyes was one that stirred thevery depths of their hearts. The very buildings themselves wereimpressive, some old and antiquated, dating back a century or more andvenerable with age, and others new and beautiful, the recent gifts ofsome loyal alumni. From the huge clock in the tower of the chapel rangout the chimes which announced that the hour of two was come and gone. The beautifully kept grounds, the stately buildings, the very leaves onthe huge elms that grew about the grounds were all impressive at thetime to the boys to whom the entire picture was new. 

In the wide street that led directly through the midst of the collegebuildings, were passing young men of their own age, some of whom wouldsuddenly stop and grasp with fervor the hands of some students justreturned from the long summer vacation. From the windows of thedormitories could be seen the faces of students who were leaning far outand shouting their words of greeting to friends on the street below. TheSeptember sun was warm and mellow, and as it found its way through thethick foliage it also cast fantastic shadows upon the grass that seemedto dance and leap in the very contagion of the young life that aboundedon every side. The very air was almost electric and the high hills inthe distance that shut in the valley and provided a framework for thehandiwork of nature, lent an additional charm to which Will Phelps wasunconsciously responding. 

"I tell you, Foster, this is great! I'm glad I'm here!" he exclaimed. 

"Are you?" replied Foster in his more subdued manner. "Well, I'm gladtoo. "

The scene upon the platform of the station was as animated and inspiringas that about the college grounds. Groups of students were here awaitingthe coming of friends, and yet their impatience was hidden by theenthusiasm of the moment. One group, consisting of twenty or more youngmen, particularly interested Will, for their noise and exuberance seemedto know no bounds. At last a young man, evidently a student thoughslightly older than the most in the group, approached them and said:"Here, you sophs! You're making too much noise. Children should be seen, not heard. "

"All right, pop, " responded one; and for a time the noise decreased. Butit was not long before it broke forth afresh and became even moreviolent than before. Both Will and Foster were curiously watching thegroup; they almost instinctively looked upon them as natural enemies andyet were compelled to laugh at their antics. 

"Here you, taxi-driver, " suddenly called out one of the sophomoresadvancing from the midst of his classmates and approaching one of thecabs, a line of which were drawn up near the platform. 

"Yes, sir. Yes, sir. Here you are! Here you are! This way!" responded ahalf-dozen of the taxi-drivers. 

"Be still!" replied the young man solemnly to the noisy men. "Can't yousee I'm engaged with John? Now, John, tell me honestly, are you free?"

"Yes, sir. Yes, sir. Take you anywhere ye say, " responded the driverglibly. 

"You're sure you're at liberty?"

"Yes, sir. Yes, sir. "

"All right, then. I'm glad to hear it. I've a great respect for liberty. That's all I wanted to know; thank you, " he added, politely bowing; thenturning to his classmates he said: "I say, fellows, make it three forliberty!"

The cheers were given with a will, and then the leader added solemnly, "Let's make it three for our class, the best class that ever entered oldWinthrop! Now then!"

These cheers also were loudly given, but they ceased abruptly when itwas seen that the train, for whose coming they had been waiting, was nowapproaching. 

CHAPTER II

PETER JOHN'S ARRIVAL

Before the rumbling train halted at the station, there was a rush ofstudents toward it, all eager to welcome the incoming crowd, and everyone apparently being desirous of being the first to greet his friends. Upon the platforms of the cars also crowds of students were to be seen, waving their hats in the air or standing with their traveling bags intheir hands, all as eager as the boys at the station to be foremost inthe reunion scene. 

Will Phelps and his room-mate stood a little back from the assembly andwatched the proceedings with an interest which neither could conceal. Itwas all so stimulating, this animation and bustle and manifest eagernessin renewing the college life, and to feel that they too were to have ashare in the possessions of these young men, scarcely one of whom wasknown to them personally, was in itself sufficient to quicken theirpulses and arouse all the dormant forces of their nature. The train wasa long one and yet from every car came pouring forth the stream ofstudents and the excitement continued for several minutes. 

Suddenly a shout went up from the crowd and there was a rush of studentstoward the rear car. "There's Baker! Good old Sam! Hurrah for thecaptain!" were among the cries that could be heard as the studentssurged toward the platform, from which a sturdy young man could be seendescending, apparently unmindful of the interest his coming had arousedand striving to be indifferent to the cheers that greeted his arrival. 

Will Phelps and Foster Bennett almost unconsciously moved with thethrong though they were not fully aware of the cause of the suddeninterest of the students. "It may be that he's the captain of thefootball team, " said Will in a low voice to his companion. "At any ratethe captain's name is Baker and probably this is the man. "

Foster nodded his head but made no other reply as he stood watching theyoung man as he stepped down from the platform. There could be noquestion as to who he was, for the conquering hero was writ large uponhis powerful frame and the universal deference of the student body couldbe accounted for only by the fact that a leader in Winthrop had arrived. 

"Look there, Will, " said Foster suddenly. "There's Peter John. "

"Where?"

"Right behind Baker. Just coming out of the door. See him?"

"Yes, " responded Will as he obtained a glimpse of his classmate just ashe was emerging from the doorway. Travel-stained, his hat pushed back onhis head, his eyes wildly staring about at the crowd, a huge carpet-bagin his hand, his appearance certainly would have attracted the attentionof the spectators had it not been that their interest was apparentlycentered in the mighty captain of the football team and they had nothought for any one else. 

Just as Baker stepped down, Peter John emerged from the car directlybehind the captain, and a cheer louder than any that before had beengiven rose from the assembly. 

Poor Peter John! Nervous and excited, conscious only of himself and hisstrange surroundings, the startled freshman had no other thought thanthat the cheers were meant for him and doubtless were intended as a warcry from those enemies of whom he had heard such marvelous tales--thesophomores. Wild-eyed, for a moment he seemed to be well-nigh paralyzed. He stood motionless and gazed out at the surging mass of students almostas if he were minded to turn back into the car and escape from thethreatening peril. But the pressure from behind was too strong to permithim to carry out his intention and he was compelled to move forward. Asyet he had not seen his two waiting friends and his feeling of utterloneliness swept over him afresh. From the lowest step he was about tomove when another mighty shout went up from the assembly and Peter Johnlooked helplessly about him as if he were convinced that his doom wassealed and for him there was to be no escape. 

Suddenly he darted from the midst of the crowd, sending two or threeyoung men who chanced to be in his way sprawling, and with his quaintcarpet-bag still tightly grasped in his hand fled directly back over therailway ties. He had not gone far before his flight was perceived and ashout of laughter and derision arose. Even the mighty Baker was ignoredin the fresh excitement and instantly a crowd of students started inpursuit of the fleeing freshman. 

"Hi, there! Stop, freshman! Wait a minute; we'll help carry your bag!Look at the sprinter! Going home? Good-bye! Good-bye!" were among thederisive cries that he heard. There could be no mistake, the attentionof the entire student body was upon him, he was convinced, and his speedincreased. His long legs, his flying coat tails, his flappingcarpet-bag, indeed his entire appearance was such that shrieks oflaughter arose from his pursuers, but Peter John never once glancedbehind him. Every fresh call served to increase his terror. Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness were about to be taken from himand his sole hope depended upon his own exertions. It was do or die, andPeter John preferred the former. 

In a brief time the good-natured crowd abandoned its pursuit, and PeterJohn Schenck was left to continue his lonely flight. Will Phelps andFoster Bennett had joined in the laughter at first, for the ridiculousflight of their classmate was well-nigh irresistible; but when it soonbecame apparent that Peter John's terror was real and that he firmlybelieved the entire college was in swift pursuit of him, their attitudechanged. 

"It's too bad, Will, " said Foster. "The poor chap is scared almost todeath. "

"We can't help it. He'll have to learn some things, if not others, "laughed Will. 

"They're coming back, " suggested Foster, as the pursuit was abandonedand the students laughing boisterously returned to the station. 

Peter John, however, was still fleeing and his long strides and hiswildly flapping carpet-bag could be distinctly seen as the frightenedfreshman sped up the track. The body of students, however, had nowturned into the street that led back to the college grounds, andapparently Peter John's wild flight was already forgotten. 

"We must go after him, " said Foster thoughtfully. 

"Oh, leave him alone, " replied Will. "He'll come back all right. "

"You go up to the room and I'll go and look him up. "

"Not much! If you go, then I go too! I may be the next victim and Idon't intend to be offered up alone. Come on, or he'll be clear back inSterling before we find him. "

Will laughed as he spoke, and at once the two boys started up the trackin the direction in which their classmate had fled. He could not be seennow for a bend in the road had concealed him from sight, and for a timehis two friends did not dare to run, being fearful that they too mightattract an undue amount of attention and bring upon themselves the manyills from which they were striving to save their friend. 

Apparently their departure from the station had not drawn the attentionof any one, and, as they became convinced that they were not beingfollowed, their own speed increased until they too had passed the bendin the road, when they began to run swiftly. Nothing could be seen ofPeter John, and when they had gone a considerable distance Will Phelpsstopped and whistled. 

At first there was no response, but when the signal had been thricerepeated both boys heard the voice of their friend apparently comingfrom behind the bushes growing on the bank directly beside them. 

"All alone, Will?" called Peter John timidly. 

"Yes. Yes. Where are you, Peter John?" responded Will, peering abouthim, but as yet unable to determine where his friend was hiding. 

"Here I am. "

"Where's that?"

"Right here. "

"Come out here where we are. Stand up like a little man and be counted. "

"Sure nobody's with you?"

"Foster's here, that's all. "

Slowly Peter John arose from his hiding-place and peered anxiously abouthim. "It's all right. Come on!" called Will encouragingly. Thus bidden, Peter John stepped forth, still holding tightly in his grasp hisprecious carpet-bag. Will Phelps did not even laugh nor did he have anyinclination to do so as he perceived how genuine was the suffering ofthe terrified boy. 

"You needn't be afraid now, Peter John, " he said soothingly. "You're allright. "

"That was a close call. "

"Call for what?" demanded Foster sharply. Will turned and looked insurprise at his room-mate, for the tone of his voice was very unlikethat which he had used when he had insisted that they should go to theaid of their classmate. 

"I tell you they were after me!" said Peter John, wiping his brow with ahuge handkerchief as he spoke. 

"Who were after you?" demanded Foster still more sharply. 

"The sophomores. "

"Don't you believe it!"

"Why, they'd have got me if I hadn't put in my prettiest. "

"Nobody would have paid any attention to you if you hadn't run. You drewit all on yourself and have no one else to blame. "

"Guess you weren't there when I landed! They gave such a yell when Istarted from the cars as I never heard before in all my born days. "

"Did you think they were yelling for you?"

"Of course I did. I knew they'd be waiting for me. "

"Peter John, you've made a fool of yourself. There wasn't a soul thereexcept Will and me that knew there was such a fellow in all the world asPeter John Schenck. Everybody in college will know it now, though. "

"What made 'em yell so, then?" demanded Peter John. 

"They weren't yelling for you at all. They were cheering for Baker, thecaptain of the football team. He was just ahead of you. "

"They were?"

"That's what I said. " Foster smiled slightly as he spoke, for theexpression upon the face of Peter John was a study. Consternation, incredulity, and partial unbelief in what Foster had said were allexpressed there, and his entire attitude was so indescribably ludicrousas almost to be pathetic. 

"Swan! I didn't know that, " he said at last slowly. 

"Well, you know it now. "

"What shall I do?"

"'Do'? Do nothing. Just attend to your own business and let everythingelse go. "

"I thought I was attending to my own business, " said Peter Johnwoefully. 

"Oh, well, never mind, Peter John, " broke in Will with a laugh. "It'sall over now and no bones broken. "

"I wish it _was_ all over, " said Foster in a low voice to Will. 

"I wish it was too. He'll be the center of interest by to-morrow. Andreally, Foster, it did beat anything I ever saw. "

Foster Bennett smiled but made no reply, and together the three boysbegan to retrace their way to the station. Peter John evidently wassomewhat crestfallen and seldom spoke. At the station no students wereseen, and the trio at once started up the street toward the college. 

"I suppose my things are in my room, " Peter John ventured to suggest. 

"Yes, they're there all right. I went over this morning to see aboutthem. "

"Thank you. I'll be pretty busy for the rest of the days I take it. "

"That won't do you any harm. You can come over and sleep on the couch inour room to-night if you would like to, " suggested Foster. 

"Are you all settled?"

"Pretty much. Enough so that we can make room for you. There's alwaysroom for one more, you know. " Foster spoke pleasantly and Peter John wasquick to respond. They were now near the college grounds, however, andthe interest of Peter John was quickly taken up in his surroundings. Both Will and Foster were familiar with the name of every building bythis time, and their residence of three days in the college town hadalready given to them a sense of part possession, and they gliblyexplained to their classmate the name and use of each building as theypassed it until at last they halted before Leland Hall, where Peter Johnwas to have his room. 

"I'd like to know who's to be my room-mate, " he said as all three turnedinto the low entry and began to mount the worn stairway. 

"Probably he's thinking of the same thing too, " laughed Will. "Here youare, " he added as he stopped before the door of a room on the thirdfloor. "Yours is twenty-six, isn't it?"

"Yes. "

"Well, here it is. "

"Come on in, fellows, " urged Peter John, opening the door as he spoke, and all three found themselves in the presence of a young man of theirown age, who glanced quickly up from the box which he was unpacking asthey entered. 

CHAPTER III

NEW FRIENDS AND NEW EXPERIENCES

"One of you, I fancy, is Schenck, who is to room here with me. I haven'tthe remotest idea which one of you is the man, but whichever it is I'mglad to see him. "

The young man laughed heartily as he spoke, and all three of thefreshmen laughed in response so contagious was his good nature. But hisappearance was even more striking than his words, for he stood beforethem like a young giant. He was at least six feet and three inches inheight, his shoulders were so broad that they made the very doorwayappear narrow, and as he stood before them without his coat and with hisshirt sleeves rolled back over his arms, the great knots of musclescould be plainly seen. Altogether he presented a most impressive sight, and his young classmates were duly impressed by his huge size andevident physical strength. 

"I'm Schenck, " said Peter John, after a momentary hesitation. 

"Glad to see you, " exclaimed the young giant, stepping forward andgrasping his room-mate's hand in such a manner as to make Peter Johnwince. "You know what my name is, I suppose. I'm Hawley. 'Cupe' Hawleythey called me in school because I was such a dainty and delicate littlespecimen. " And again his laughter broke forth. "Friends of yours, Schenck?" he added, as he glanced inquiringly at the two companions ofhis room-mate. 

Will Phelps and Foster Bennett were at once introduced, and warmlygreeted their classmate. 

"Sorry I can't offer you any seats, fellows, " said Hawley, stilllaughing, though there was no apparent cause for his enjoyment. "Haven'tgot everything unpacked yet; but if you'll just wait a minute we'll findsomething for you to sit on. "

"We'll help you, " said Will Phelps, at once laying aside his coat. 

In their room he and Foster had done but little of the labor required inunpacking their belongings, for neither had been accustomed to suchtasks in the homes from which they had come. Their fathers both werewell-to-do and it had not occurred to either of the boys that the manuallabor in settling their room was something to be expected of them. For amoment Foster glanced quizzically at his friend as if he was puzzled toaccount for his unexpected proffer, but knowing Will's impulsiveness ashe did he was quick to respond, and in a brief time the few belongingsof Peter John and his room-mate were unpacked and the beds were set up, the shades at the windows, and the few scanty belongings all arranged. 

"I didn't bring a carpet. Did you?" inquired Hawley of Schenck. 

"No, " replied Peter John. 

"We can get along without one. I haven't any money to spare, and carpetsare luxuries anyway. If we feel like it we can buy one afterwards. They're dangerous things though, " and Hawley laughed as he spoke. "Mydoctor says they're the worst sources of contagion in the world, andwhatever else I do I must be careful of my health. " Again the laugh ofthe young giant rang out, and in its contagion all three of hisclassmates joined. 

And yet as Will Phelps glanced about the room its appearance waspitifully bare. The furniture was of the plainest, the walls were bareof pictures, there were none of the numerous pillows and other tokens ofthe warm regard of friends that had accompanied himself and hisroom-mate into the new life upon which they had entered. Apparently, however, Hawley was as delighted over his surroundings as he and Fosterover theirs, perhaps even more, and Will was thoughtful for a moment ashe silently watched his newly made friend. 

"How did you happen to come to Winthrop?" he inquired at last when thetask of settling the room was measurably complete and all four hadseated themselves on the rude wooden chairs which made up most of thefurnishings of the room. 

"I didn't 'happen' to come. " Somehow everything appeared to be a sourceof enjoyment to Hawley, and questions or remarks were alike greeted witha laugh. 

"What made you, then?"

"Isn't Winthrop the best college in the United States?" demanded Hawley. 

"Yes, or at least that's what my father thinks. He graduated here and itmay be that his opinion is a little prejudiced. Is that why you came?"

"Partly. " Again Hawley laughed and closed one eye as he spoke. 

"I can give a guess what the other reason was, " said Foster. 

"What was it?"

"Football. "

Hawley laughed loudly this time as he replied, "You're 'a very Danielcome to judgment. ' That's from the 'Merchant of Venice, ' isn't it? Well, if it is, it's about all I remember of my English course. Well, I'll behonest with you. I did see Baker this summer, and he set before me theadvantages of coming to Winthrop in such a way that I couldn't very wellsay no. And I didn't, so here I am. "

"Did he offer to pay you?" demanded Peter John. 

"Did he offer _what?_" demanded Hawley. 

Somewhat abashed Peter John did not repeat his question, and hisroom-mate at once turned the conversation into other lines. "We had apretty good football team in the academy where I fitted for college, andthere were several colleges, or at least the football men of thecollege, who seemed to be quite willing that some of our fellows shouldgo to them. We had a half-back who was a dandy! His name was PatrickO'Hara, and he passed better in football than he did in any othersubject in the course. " And Hawley stopped to laugh at the recollectionof his former fellow-student. "Pat wasn't very much of a hand to study, and when one of the men from White College suggested to him that heshould come there, why Pat was delighted. 'What studies will you take?'asked the fellow, for you see he knew without being told that Patwouldn't be valedictorian of his class whatever other honor he mighttake, and he was trying to make it easy for him. 'Well, ' said Pat, ''bedad, an' if it's all th' same t' yez, I'm thinkin' I'll just beafther takin' a bit o' the spellin' an' perhaps a bit o' figurin'. Howdo thot be afther suitin' yez'?"

All the boys joined in the laugh with which Hawley related the story, and Will Phelps said, "Where did Pat go?"

"Well, " said Hawley slowly, "he has gone to White College. "

"Do you mean to say he has _entered_ there?" demanded Will. 

"That's what they tell me, though I've a notion he'll come out the samedoor he went in, and he won't tarry long either. Probably soon after theseason ends. "

"But we play White College. It's one of our nearest rivals, " suggestedWill. "But then, " he added, "that's just like them. They never do athing on the square anyway!"

Hawley pursed his lips as if he was about to whistle, but he did notspeak though his eyes twinkled with merriment as if Will's statementsomehow was hugely enjoyed by him. Foster Bennett noticing theexpression on Hawley's face, also laughed, but he did not reply to hisroom-mate's very positive declaration. There were some things which Willcould not understand, for with his intense and impulsive disposition theone thing which impressed him at the time was capable of only oneinterpretation. His confidence in Winthrop and his dislike of its rivalcollege were therefore only what were to be expected of his friend. 

"Obliged to you, fellows, " said Hawley, as Will Phelps and FosterBennett rose to depart. "Come in and see us often. "

"You'll see enough of us from now on, " responded Will as he and hisroom-mate departed. 

As the two passed out into the street and returned to their own roomFoster said, "It's pretty bare there in Leland, isn't it, Will?"

"Yes. They both seem to be happy though. "

"Not much like our room. "

"No. But then, Foster, you see they don't know the difference. "

Foster smiled but made no response, and Will continued. "You seeeverything in this world is relative. A man doesn't miss what he neverhad, does he?"

"Perhaps not. "

"Now look here, Foster. Do you think a blind man suffers because hecan't see? I mean a man who was born blind, of course. "

"What then?"

"Why, the man I'm sorry for is the one that could see once and has losthis sight. He knows, let me tell you, what he's lost. But the other mandoesn't appreciate it. He never could see, so he couldn't lose hissight, could he? Tell me that. "

"So you wouldn't do anything to help him?"

"I didn't say that. I didn't say that at all. All I say is that thefellow I'm sorry for is the one who has had and lost, not the one whonever had. Now look at Peter John, and Hawley. Their room isn't so goodas ours, but it probably is just as good as they expected, or have beenused to, so they don't suffer any. "

"And if you and I had to put up with their room--"

"Why, we'd feel it. "

"It's a mighty comfortable way of looking at things, that's all I haveto say. "

"But it's the true way, " said Will glibly. "There's one thing I'm mightyglad of for Peter John's sake. "

"What is it?"

"That he rooms with Hawley. I don't believe the sophs will bother himvery much. "

"Not when Hawley's on hand. "

"You think they will when he's not?"

"Yes, sir, I do. Peter John just invites them. It stands right out onhis face. "

"Sort of a standing invitation, so to speak?" laughed Will Phelps. "Well, for my part, I hope he won't be too fresh. There's everything inthat, you know. "

"And therefore we'll go scot free?"

"Well, Hawley is a great fellow anyway; and I'm glad he's in our class. "

"He's big, anyway. "

"That's what I said. "

"No you didn't, you said great. "

"Same thing. "

"Not much. A man can be big without being great, can't he? Caesar andNapoleon were not big men, but I think you'd sum up that they weregreat. "

"Great butchers, if that's what you mean. You always spin it out toofine for me, Foster. "

Foster Bennett laughed and both boys entered their room to prepare fordinner. They still were taking their meals at the hotel, as theirboarding-place had not been selected. In the thoughts of both it was aselection of too much importance to be made hastily, and they weretherefore waiting until they became more familiar with the details oftheir new life. 

It was all novel and interesting, and on the following day the firstclass meeting was held. A dignified junior presided at the meeting, andafter explaining what was expected and that the class officers to beselected were to serve only for a month, when it was thought that themembers of the class would have become sufficiently acquainted with oneanother to enable them to act with becoming wisdom, he called fornominations for class president. 

Peter John Schenck immediately arose and said, "I nominate Hawley. "

The nomination was seconded, and there were calls for Hawley to step tothe platform and stand where all the class could see him. The younggiant obediently advanced and taking his place beside Spencer, who alsowas nominated for the office, awaited the verdict. There were cheerswhen it was announced that Hawley had won, and the junior then calledfor nominations for secretary and treasurer. 

Again Peter John arose to the occasion and said, "I nominate Phelps. "

Will's face flushed scarlet at the unexpected words but his room-mateat once had seconded the nomination, and he was compelled to advance tothe platform and stand beside Farmer and McVey, whose names were alsopresented for the same office. There was some confusion for a time, butquiet was restored when the result of the ballot was announced. 

CHAPTER IV

A CLOUD OF WITNESSES

Will Phelps had been elected temporary secretary and treasurer of hisclass, the choice having been made chiefly because his appearance, as hestood on the platform, pleased his classmates, and not because of anygeneral acquaintance that had been formed. And yet his election hadbrought him at once into a certain prominence, and doubtless Will wasduly appreciative of the honor bestowed upon him. 

The member of the junior class to whom had been entrusted the organizingof the freshmen now rose to give some general words of advice before themeeting was adjourned. "There are some things in college, " he wassaying, "that have the force of laws. Some of them will appear foolishto you, it may be, and yet it will be more foolish to disregard them. For example, freshmen are not expected to go up to the hotel parlors inthe evening, it would be decidedly better for them not to display ontheir caps or jersey the letters or numerals of the schools from whichthey have come, and they must not tack their cards on the doors of theirrooms. " Walker, the junior, continued his directions until he thought hehad covered most of the details of the life upon which the incomingclass was entering, but his remarks were not completed when Peter JohnSchenck arose from his seat and stood facing the president. There was amomentary pause as Walker ceased speaking, and the eyes of all theclass were turned toward Peter John. 

After due deliberation, Peter John said in a loud voice, "Mr. President, I move that we adjourn. "

The hush that followed was broken by a loud laugh which had been startedby Walker himself. Peter John, however, glanced about the room as if hewas unable to perceive what it was that had caused the outbreak. Apparently unabashed, he again turned to the class president and said, "Isn't a motion to adjourn always in order, Mr. President? If it is, then I repeat my former motion. I move that we adjourn. "

Hawley was too good-natured to treat the interruption as it deserved, sohe said, "Is the motion seconded?"

Apparently it was not, and still unabashed, Peter John again took hisseat while Walker resumed his remarks. 

"I don't know that I have anything more to say, only to tell you fellowsto be careful. College traditions and customs have all the force oflaws, and though some of them may seem to be foolish, still I believe inthe main they help to make the life here what it is, and that's what youall want to get. If you have any questions to ask, don't be afraid tocome to me with them, or to any of the juniors, and you'll be given allwe know, which, though I can promise you it may not be much, still maybe just a little more than you know. Or, perhaps, some of you, " headded, glancing quizzically in the direction of Peter John Schenck as hespoke. 

When Walker departed from the room, Peter John was again the first toarise. "I move we adjourn, " he said in a loud voice. 

"Second the motion, " said Foster Bennett quickly. The motion was put andinstantly carried, and the class passed out from the room. 

"It was anything to shut up Peter John, " Foster explained to Will as hejoined his room-mate. "Did you ever see the like?"

"I never did, " laughed Will. "I feel almost guilty to be acting assecretary for the class. If we had ten other offices to vote upon, Ibelieve Peter John would have made the first nomination for every one. "

"He certainly is the freshest freshman in the whole bunch. "

"Yes, he doesn't know enough to know that he doesn't know, and that'sabout as far down as a fellow can go in his ignorance, you know. "

"What shall we do for him?"

"Nothing. "

"But he'll have trouble. "

"Sure. "

"I'd hate to see him catch it too hard. "

"You can't save him, Foster. He's got to learn his lesson. The idea ofhis being on his feet so much to-day. "

"Well, he helped us to some good officers anyway, I'll say that much forhim, " laughed Foster. "But if he made such an impression on our class, what'll he do for the sophomores?"

"You'd better be thinking about what they'll do for him. "

Walker now joined the two boys, introducing himself to each, andaccompanying them to their room, where he entered and took a seat attheir invitation. He was a fine-looking young man and of most agreeablemanners, so that soon both Will and Foster were delighted with himpersonally and appreciative of the honor of the visit from theirvisitor. 

"No, " Walker was saying, "the hazing doesn't amount to anything much inWinthrop. It's nothing more than a little good-natured 'horse play' forthe most part. Of course, once in a while a fellow gets a little moreattention than the rest of the class; but as a rule it's his own fault. You have a classmate that'll be very popular with the sophs, if hedoesn't look out, " he added with a laugh. 

"Who's that?" inquired Will, with a wink at his room-mate. 

"The chap that was on his feet so much in the class meeting thisafternoon. "

"We were just talking about him, " said Foster quickly. "You know hefitted at the same school where we did, and naturally we want to lendhim a hand when we can. What had we better do?"

"Nothing. "

"What do you mean?"

"Just what I say. You can't do much for such a fellow; he has to learnit all for himself. The trouble is that he doesn't know how much or whathe's got to learn yet. You can't do much for such a--"

Walker stopped abruptly as Peter John himself entered the room. His facewas beaming, and as he removed his hat his stiff red hair seemed almostto rise on his head. "Well, fellows, " he said, "we did things up brownthis afternoon, didn't we?"

"You did too much, " said Walker quietly. 

"Haven't I as good a right as anybody to make a motion?" demanded PeterJohn hotly. 

"You have as much right, but you don't want always to take all yourrights, you know. "

"Why not? I'll stand up for my rights every time. Now, I don't believe aword of what you said this afternoon. "

"You're complimentary; but you're under no obligations to believe me, "laughed Walker. 

"I don't mean just that. What I mean is that I'd like to see thesophomore who'd tell me what I could wear or what I couldn't; or where Icould go and where I couldn't. He hasn't anything to say about that. "

"He thinks he has, " suggested Walker quietly. 

"I don't care what he thinks. I know my rights, and I intend to stand upfor them too!"

"Is that why you were running up the railroad track the day when youcame to Winthrop?" demanded Will Phelps. 

"Never you mind about that!" retorted Peter John in nowise abashed. "That was when I didn't know as much as I do now. "

"Three or four days will do great things for a fellow, " remarked Walkerdryly. 

"Yes, sir, that's so. You're right about that, " acknowledged Peter Johngraciously. "Say, fellows, what are you going to do about these Greekletter societies?" he inquired abruptly, turning to his two classmatesas he spoke. 

Both Will Phelps and Foster Bennett glanced uneasily at Walker, but thejunior only smiled and made no response. It was apparent though that thetopic Peter John had broached was one upon which all three had beenconferring. 

"We haven't done anything as yet, " said Foster. 

"Neither have I, " acknowledged Peter John. "I thought I'd take my timebefore I decided which one I'd join. I suppose I'll have to write hometo pa, but he won't know as much about it as I do. "

"We live and learn, " said Walker as he rose to depart. "I'll see youto-night?" he inquired of Will and Foster as he stopped for a moment inthe doorway. Will glanced questioningly at his room-mate and then said:"Thank you, Walker. We'll be very glad to come. "

"Where you going? What did he want?" demanded Peter John when Walker wasgone. 

"It was something personal, " said Foster. "Walker thinks you'll have towalk the chalk line, Peter John, or you'll have trouble with the sophs. "

"He does, does he? Well, I'll show him. I'd like to know what rightthey've got to tell me what to do. I'll do as I please! My chum--"

It was instantly plain to the boys now the cause for this sudden andstrange change in Peter John's attitude. He was relying upon the prowessof Hawley to protect him now and apparently was confident that he wouldnot be molested since he roomed with the young giant whose name alreadywas known throughout the college and from whom such great things wereexpected for the football team. 

"Don't depend too much upon Hawley! He can't be everywhere, remember, "said Foster warningly. 

"I'll show 'em, if they come near me!" retorted Peter John as hedeparted. 

For several days the college life went on quietly and the boys werebecoming somewhat accustomed to their new surroundings. There had been a"sweater rush" between the two lower classes, in which Hawley had beenentrusted with the precious sweater, and, surrounded by his classmates, successfully defended it against the onslaught of the sophomores. Thestruggle had been severe but in good part, and the worst results hadbeen some torn clothing and bruised faces. The freshmen wore upon theirarms a strip of white cloth to enable them to distinguish their owncomrades, and great was their elation when after the time limit hadexpired, it was discovered that the coveted sweater was unharmed. Thestrength of Hawley had been as the strength of ten and his praises werein every mouth. 

Into this struggle Will Phelps had thrown himself with all his might, and when he joyfully emerged from the struggling mass of humanitygathered about Hawley his rejoicing was great and his cheers for theclass were among the loudest. 

On the border of the crowd he had perceived Peter John, but hisclassmate displayed no evidence of the recent struggle and Will wasabout to question him, when Peter John himself said, "Come over to myroom to-night, Will. "

"All right. " Will Phelps had promised readily, and then the matterdeparted from his mind as he rushed about among his classmates. 

That evening he suddenly glanced up from the book he was studying andsaid to his room-mate: "Foster, I agreed to go over to Peter John's roomto-night. Want to go?"

"Can't say that I'm pining for it. What does he want?"

"I don't know. He seemed to be very much in earnest about it, though. "

"Is it much nearer from here to his room than it is from his room toours? If he wanted to see you so much, why didn't he come over here?"

"That isn't Peter John's way, " laughed Will. "I promised to go, so Ithink I'll run over for a minute. I'll be back pretty soon. "

"If you need me let me know, " called Foster as Will departed, and hethen at once resumed his task. 

Will Phelps ran across the campus to Leland Hall, and as he turned in atthe dimly lighted hall the contrast between his own surroundings andthose in which he now found himself was for the moment almost painful. The stone step at the entrance had been worn away by the passing ofboyish feet over it for more than a century. For a moment there flashedinto his mind the thought of the eager lives that there had been trainedand long since had passed over into the land beyond. Will himself wasthe fourth generation in direct descent in his own family to enterWinthrop, and as he now passed slowly up the rough, narrow, and wornstairway, he found himself thinking of his own father and grandfatherand great-grandfather, all of whom doubtless had many a time been in thevery same hallway where he himself then was. Even then from far downthe street came the sounds of song and laughter of some passing body ofstudents and the faint sound he could hear was for the moment almostlike the echo of long past days. The very hall seemed to echo also withthe footfalls of students who had long since completed their course andpassed on. He was surrounded by a cloud of witnesses. 

Suddenly from the floor above him came the sound of noisy shouts andshrieks of laughter. The vision of other days and other men instantlydeparted, and the full force of the appeal of the present swept overhim. Bounding up the steps, two at a time, he swiftly came to the thirdfloor and then stopped abruptly as the shouts were redoubled andevidently came from Peter John Schenck's room. 

For a moment Will hesitated, almost tempted to turn back, but hisfeeling of curiosity was strong and resolutely he advanced and rappedupon the door. This was quickly opened and Will stepped inside the room. The door had instantly been closed and bolted behind him, but Will washardly aware of that so interested was he in the sight upon which hegazed in the room which was filled with a noisy group of students. 

CHAPTER V

UNSOUGHT ATTENTIONS

One glance about him had been sufficient to convince Will Phelps thathis classmates were suffering from a visit of the sophomores, a dozen ormore of whom he recognized as being in the room. He looked quicklybehind him at the door, but this already had been closed and three ofthe stalwart sophomores were standing with their backs against it, theothers being stationed at different points about the room. In the centerstood Mott, a lusty sophomore whom he had frequently seen and whosegeneral bearing he had intensely disliked, for his face bore theunmistakable traces of dissipation and his bearing was that of a rowdy. The fact that Mott had secured a high position among the collegeathletes had in a measure made amends for his low tendencies of life inthe eyes of his thoughtless mates, but though he was by nature somewhatof a leader still his personal popularity was low, and it was only hisphysical prowess that gave him any standing. 

Seated upon one end of his study table was Hawley, his face beaming withgood nature and smiling broadly as he faced the assembly in the room. Inone corner Peter John was standing, his back against the wall and in hishands was one of the heavy wooden chairs which he was grasping by therounds. Even in the somewhat dim light Will could see that the greatsplotches of red on Peter John's face appeared to be larger and of amore fiery tint than usual, and his coarse red hair fairly stood onend. There was an expression of mingled terror and wild, almostungovernable, rage on his face, and Will knew what that portended atthat time. A brief silence had followed Will's entrance, and Mott hadturned to some of his comrades and a meaning smile appeared for a momenton his face as he perceived who the new-comer was. In a moment, however, the tense stillness of the room returned, and Mott, turning to PeterJohn, said:

"Now, then, freshman, are you ready?"

"I'll brain the first man that comes near me! Don't you lay a finger onme or I'll break your head! This is my room and I'll have you understandthat you can't play any of your dirty tricks on me!"

Peter John's voice rose almost to a shriek, and lifting the chair hegazed menacingly at Mott, almost as if he was minded to rush upon him. Hawley laughed as his room-mate spoke, but Will's face became pale andhe could almost hear the beating of his own heart, so intensely excitedwas he. He understood Peter John's disposition better than any of thosewho were in the room, and his fear of what might follow was great. 

"We'll give you one more chance, " said Mott slowly. 

"I don't want any more chances. I want you to get out of this room! Ididn't ask you to come! You've no right here!" shouted Peter John. 

"You didn't have to ask us, " retorted Mott. "We came because you need usand for the good of the college. Come, freshman, do what I tell you. "

"Don't you come near--" began Peter John, but the sentence was notcompleted. At some unseen signal a half-dozen sprang upon him. Before hecould bring down the chair which he still was holding above his head hewas suddenly seized by his adversaries, the chair was wrenched from hishands, he was thrown heavily to the floor, and in a moment his hands andfeet were fast bound with cords, and he was a helpless prisoner. Stillhe did not cease his struggling, but as he twisted and writhed he onlydrew the cords more tightly and made his own helplessness more apparent. 

"I know who you are!" he shrieked. "I'll report you, every one! I'llgive the whole list of your names to the president! I'll have youarrested! I'll put you in jail! You're a lot of thieves and low-downscoundrels! I'll have you put where you won't abuse anybody any more!"Peter John's voice rose with every fresh threat until at last it almostbroke in a sob. He was almost beside himself, and Will Phelps, though heshared in the anger of his classmate, was rejoiced that he was helplessand could not do what his desperation prompted. 

"Tie your handkerchief over his mouth, Hines, " said Mott to one of hiscompanions. "We must hush the infant's wailings or he'll have the wholeof Winthrop up here. He seems to have some language besides that of theordinary 'infant crying in the night'. "

At Mott's direction Hines and two of his classmates at once securelybound a handkerchief about Peter John's face, a task that was notaccomplished without a desperate struggle. 

"Now then, since he seems to be quieted, " said Mott at last, when hisbidding had been done, "we'll turn to the other part of the program. Here, you freshman, " he added, turning to Will Phelps as he spoke, "stepup here and take your seat beside your classmate. "

For an instant Will hesitated. The sight of Peter John roused everyinstinct of combativeness which he possessed, and that was by no meanssmall, but a laugh from Hawley restored a measure of self-possession, and quietly and without a word he seated himself on the table by theside of his friend. 

"Good! That's the way to do it! Now then, Hawley, " said Mott, "you'vegot to get rid of that eternal grin of yours. Wipe that smile off yourface and throw it out of the window. "

Hawley laughed aloud as he said, "I've been trying to get rid of it fornineteen years, but I haven't succeeded yet. If you fellows will show mehow to do it I'll be yours truly now and for evermore. "

Some of the sophomores laughed, but Mott glared angrily at them as hesaid, "Quit that!" Then turning again to Hawley he said, "Oh, we'll helpyou all right enough. Just do as I tell you!"

"How shall I do it?"

"Take your handkerchief and wipe that smile off your face and throw itout of the window as I tell you. "

Hawley drew a huge handkerchief from his pocket with which he vigorouslyrubbed his face, and then going soberly to the window pretended to throwsomething out; but when he returned to his seat his laughter becameuncontrollable and he broke forth into a loud guffaw, in which some ofthe assembly joined. 

At Mott's rebuke the laughter ceased, and then he said again to Hawley, "That won't do, freshman. You're not rid of it yet. Try it again!"

Six times the huge and good-natured freshman was compelled to repeat hissenseless and silly performance, and then Mott declared that he wassatisfied. 

"Don't have a relapse, " he said warningly, and then, turning to WillPhelps, he said, "Now I want my nice little boy, mamma's pet and papa'sjoy, to show what a good little boy he really is. He isn't going to doany of the naughty things that some of the wicked little college boysdo. He is strong, he is, and he promised mamma he wouldn't, and hewon't. Let's give him a song, fellows, " he added, turning to hisclassmates, and at once the boys began to sing:

 "We're coming, we're coming, our brave little band, On the right side of temperance we always do stand; We don't use tobacco, for this we do think, That those who do use it most always do drink. "

Some of the singers had very musical voices and the simple little dittysounded very clear and strong as they all joined in it. Will Phelps, however, was thinking of what it was that would be required of him. Thenflashed into his mind the last conversation he had had with his motherand in which he had given her a promise not unlike that at which Motthad hinted. And he intended to keep it too, he assured himself. Comewhat might, he would not break it. He even smiled slightly as hethought of what his mother's feelings would be if she could look intoPeter John's room and see what was then going on there. 

As the song ceased abruptly Will said, "What is it you want me to do, Mott?"

"Well, now, freshman, that's cool. You can't help being a freshman, butit's not well even for a freshman to be too fresh. Ever hear the like ofthat, fellows?" he inquired of his classmates. 

"Never did. Never did, " responded several, shaking their heads soberly. 

"Just think of it, " began Mott again. "Here's a freshman who is soanxious to get into our good graces that he's not only willing to dowhat we tell him but he even comes and asks us what it is we want him todo. That beats anything old Winthrop has ever seen yet. "

Will's face flushed, but he was silent, though Hawley began to laughagain. "Now, then, freshman, " said Mott, pointing his finger at Will, "we want you to get down on the floor and wrestle with temptation. "

"There's nothing here that tempts me very much, " replied Will coolly, and Hawley promptly laughed aloud. 

"You do as I tell you! Get down on the floor and wrestle withtemptation, " demanded Mott sharply. 

"I don't mind doing it if it will please you any, " responded Will as heslipped from his seat on the table to the floor. 

"That's the way. Now then, papa's joy and mamma's pet, show us how itis that you do the trick. "

Stretched upon the floor, Will Phelps went through his struggle with animaginary foe. He twisted and writhed and struggled, shrieks of laughtergreeting his efforts from the assembled sophomores, and even Hawleyjoined in, so ridiculous was the appearance which Will presented. 

"That's very good, very good indeed!" remarked Mott when several minuteshad elapsed. "You'd better get up now and take a seat beside yourfriend. "

Will quickly did as he was bidden, laughing slightly as he glanced atHawley, whose imperturbable good nature was not in anywise ruffled. 

"Hawley, you're a great football player, I understand, " said Mott. 

"I'm a big player, can't say that I'm great. Some fellows might thinkso, but it depends on whether they've seen much or know much, I fancy. "

"That's right. You're as modest as Mary's little lamb. I hear you're agreat sprinter, " he added, turning abruptly to Will Phelps. 

"Oh, I can run a little. If you'll give me the chance now I'll show youhow I can leave the sophs behind, " said Will with a laugh, for he wasnow feeling somewhat the effects of Hawley's manner of meeting histormentors, and as he glanced down at Peter John it required no deepinsight to perceive which was the better way. 

The boys in the room laughed good-naturedly and one of them said, "That's enough, Mott. They don't need any more. "

"Hold on, I'm not done yet, " replied Mott. "Tell me what's the name ofthe little school from which you came, " he demanded of Will. 

"The Sterling High School. "

"And you ran there?"

"A little. "

"Get any medals?"

"A few. "

"Nice ones! Got any here?"

On his fob Will wore the gold medal he had won the preceding June, buthe laughed and made no reply to Mott's question, fearful of incurringfurther ridicule if he should display the trophy. 

"Did you run against the track team of the Meadowbrook Academy?"inquired Mott. 

"No. Is that where you fitted?" replied Will simply. Hawley broke intoanother loud laugh and Mott's face flushed. Will perceived that he hadmade a mistake and his better plan would be to say as little aspossible, whatever the provocation might be or the opening his adversarymight give him. 

"Did you beat the fast sprinter from the Toad Hollow Institute?"demanded Mott. 

"Can't say that I did. I never heard of the school till now. "

"Ever run against anybody from the Honeyville Classical Seminary?"

"No. "

"Or from the Smartville Four Corners team?"

"We didn't have anything to do with those schools. We weren't in theirclass. "

"Oh, let up, Mott. We've done enough. Let 'em go now, " suggested one ofthe sophomores. 

"Not yet, " responded Mott. "We must have these freshmen give us anexhibition of what they can do. You fellows take off your collars, " hesaid, turning again to Will and his classmate. 

For an instant Will Phelps hesitated and there was a sudden tighteningof the muscles in his arms, but Hawley, good-natured and imperturbableas ever, at once removed his collar and Will quietly followed hisexample. 

"That's good, " said Mott encouragingly. "Now take out your collarbuttons. "

Both freshmen obeyed, wondering what was to be required of them. Theircuriosity was speedily relieved when Mott said, "We'll have acollar-button race. You two athletes put these buttons on the floor andpush them across to the other side of the room with your noses. The onethat wins will make the track team here I haven't a doubt. "

Hawley again laughed loudly as he and Will took the places assignedthem. For a moment their faces were near together and Hawley whispered afew words in Will's ear. His companion's eyes flashed in response, buthe did not reply, and in a moment, at Mott's word, the race was begun. 

CHAPTER VI

A RACE IN THE DARKNESS

Slowly and steadily the two freshmen began to push the collar buttonsacross the floor. The floor itself was uncarpeted and not particularlyclean, and the position and actions of the two boys certainly did notadd to their dignity; but there was not a trace of a smile to be seen onthe face of either as they complied with the demands which had beenmade. The sophomores in the room were also serious, that is, all weresave one, and, as he laughed aloud at the ridiculous aspect of theirvictims, Mott said savagely, "Put him out! He's no business here? Getout of this room!"

The offending sophomore, despite his protests and his promise to "begood, " was thrust out from the room, and the race was then resumed. Whenever either of the contestants lagged or one seemed to be gainingslightly upon the other he was sharply bidden to make good his loss, andwhen the two freshmen had come near the side of the room which they wereseeking to gain the collar buttons were close together and each freshmancould see the expression on his companion's face. Perhaps it was wellfor them both that the members of the rival class could not see thequiet glance which Hawley gave Will nor its equally keen response, butthe look was understood by both freshmen and they were aware that thecritical time in the contest was approaching. 

They were by this time within two feet of the door which opened intothe hall. The sophomores who had been standing in front of it now movedback to give the contestants room, and as Hawley perceived that the waywas clear, after looking up for a moment and glancing keenly at hisclassmate, he suddenly leaped to his feet and Will instantly followedhis example. Before the astonished sophomores were fully aware of whatwas occurring both had darted through the doorway after Hawley had withalmost incredible quickness flung open the door. Instantly it wasclosed, and Hawley, seizing the iron handle of the catch and puttingforth all his strength, braced his feet against the wall and prepared tohold the inmates prisoners in the room. 

"Get Andrews and Briggs!" whispered Hawley, and Will quickly dartedacross the hallway to the room of his two classmates. A word wassufficient to inform them of what was occurring, and in an incrediblybrief time all three were standing beside Hawley. 

The giant freshman was holding the door, which opened inward, easily, though the sophomores in the room were striving desperately on theirside. But Hawley had the strong handle and only the tiny latch could beseized from within. Numbers counted for nothing in this struggle, asonly one could pull at a time. 

The silence in the building was unbroken, though the first thought ofthe bold freshmen had been that their sophs would throw open the windowand summon their classmates to their aid. Whether it was due to theirexcitement or to the fact that they did not wish to have theirpredicament known, Will Phelps never learned, but no outcry was made, though the steady pull upon the door continued. 

"I've got 'em!" whispered Hawley gleefully. "If the latch doesn't giveway they won't see outdoors again till I give 'em leave. Run, Will!" headded hastily. "Get twenty of our fellows here as soon as you can andwe'll fix 'em yet. I can hold on here forever!"

Leaving his classmates at the doorway, Will Phelps ran swiftly down thestairs and sped across the campus to his own room. He found hisroom-mate seated at his desk, evidently hard at work. Foster glanced upreprovingly as Will burst into the room and said, "I thought, Will, youwere--"

He stopped abruptly as he perceived how excited his classmate was, butbefore he could make any inquiries Will broke in: "We've got a lot ofsophs shut up in Peter John's room! Get some of the fellows and make forthe room! Hawley's holding 'em in! Tell Jones and Camp to come and thentell them to get some more and every one to bring two or three with him. Get some more yourself and I'll do the same. "

Before his astonished room-mate could make any further inquiries, Willdarted out of the room and ran down the stairway covering three steps ata leap. But Foster understood what it was that was demanded of him, and, without hesitating an instant, seized his cap and swiftly followed. 

The scheme worked marvelously well, and within five minutes a band oftwenty-five freshmen had assembled in the hall in front of Peter John'sand Hawley's room in Leland. Hawley was still holding the door and nooutcry from within the room had been heard. 

"How many sophs room in this entry?" said Will quickly. 

"Four, " replied Hawley. "Two in the front corner room on the secondfloor and two in the back corner. "

"Can you hold on till we can fix them?"

"I can hold on forever. But you'd better be quick about it. "

At Will's word four of his classmates followed him to the floor belowand two were speedily assigned to hold one door while two more held theother. They were to be quiet, and, if no outbreak was made, then theywere not to make their presence known, but under no circumstances werethe sophomores to be permitted to come out from their rooms. 

As soon as this arrangement had been perfected Will ran swiftly back tojoin Hawley and his classmates on the floor above. Hawley was stillstanding at his post of duty, but as Will approached he laughed silentlyand whispered:

"What'll we do now, fellows?"

Several whispered suggestions were made, but at last it was agreed thatthe assembled freshmen should step back on either side and that Hawleyshould permit the door to be partly opened. It was confidently believedthat the sophomores would rush out, and, if they did, a half-dozen wereto be permitted to come forth and these were to be seized as silently aspossible and bound by the freshmen as their own unfortunate classmate, Peter John Schenck, had already been treated. When a few had emergedand been seized then Hawley was to strive to close the door again andhold the others within, and, with the force thus divided, no strongresistance could be made and the treatment which they were to receivecould be determined upon. 

As soon as this decision had been made Hawley withdrew from the door, but there was no pressure upon it from within, and for a moment theassembled freshmen stared blankly at one another as if they feared thattheir game had escaped them and that they themselves were the ones toappear in the unenviable light. Will Phelps advanced as if he was aboutto open the door, but a silent gesture from Hawley caused him to abandonthe project. As he stepped back the latch clicked and the door wassuddenly opened. Evidently the inmates were surprised that the door wasfree, and three or four cautiously stepped forth to peer into the dimlylighted hall. Before they were fully aware of the true condition ofaffairs they were seized by the waiting freshmen. There were sounds of amomentary struggle, but when those who were within the room attempted tocome forth the door was quickly closed in their faces and they wereprisoners again. The four who had been seized were quickly bound, andthen the assembly turned once more to the door itself. 

"We'll go in, " said Hawley, "and you musn't let a soph get past you. Wemust hold every one in there. Now then!" he added, as he pushed gentlyagainst the door. 

But the door failed to yield to the pressure. For a moment the astoundedfreshmen knew not what to make of the unexpected resistance, and thenas a slight sound from within the room could be heard, Hawley grimlybraced himself against the door and whispering to his classmates beganto exert all his strength in his endeavor to open it. 

For a brief time it resisted all their efforts, and then with aresounding crash it suddenly yielded. But it seemed to the startledfreshmen as if the very walls themselves were giving way. There were thesound of falling pieces of furniture and in the midst of the confusionseveral of the sophomores suddenly darted from the room, and beforetheir enemies could recover from their surprise had gained the head ofthe stairway and were fleeing from the building. 

"Take after 'em! Don't let 'em get away!" called Hawley. "Hold on, it'sall right, " he quickly added as he perceived Mott in the room. "We don'tcare for anybody else for we've got the ringleader right here. Let 'emgo! Let 'em all go! We don't want anybody else. "

There was a momentary hesitation on the part of the sophomores as ifthey were minded to stand by their classmate, but as they peered aboutthem it seemed almost as if the entire freshman class were present, andinstantly discretion became the better part of valor, and they fled in abody from the room and also from the building. 

Several of the freshmen had seized Mott by this time, and his desperateattempts to free himself were unavailing. Peter John had been quicklyfreed by Will Phelps, and then Will said hastily to Hawley:

"We've stirred up the hornets' nest enough, haven't we? The sophs willbe back here with all their class. Shall we let him go?"

"Let him go?" laughed Hawley, whose enjoyment seemed to be increasingwith every passing moment. "Well, I rather think not. "

"What shall we do? They'll be back here in a minute. "

"Send everybody to his room. We'll look after this fellow ourselves. "

Will Phelps turned to his classmates and said: "Get away from thisfellows. The sophs will be here in a minute and we may all be hauled upbefore the faculty. We'll look after Mott. "

Instantly the freshmen ran from Leland Hall, leaving Will Phelps andFoster Bennett, and Peter John and his room-mate to look after thecaptive sophomore. 

"What'll we do with him?" inquired Will hastily. 

"Take him over to your room. "

"That'll be the first place they'll come to when they don't find himhere. Still, I'm perfectly willing--"

"Take him out in the grove, " suggested Foster quickly. "If we can getaway from here without being seen we'll be all right there. "

"That's the thing, " assented Hawley. "Foster, you run ahead and see ifthe coast is all clear, for we may have to carry this fellow, and wemight attract some attention if we should happen to be seen on thestreet. "

"No, you won't. I'll go along all right, " spoke up Mott. "It's your turnnow, but it'll be mine again, you know, and I'll see that you freshmenpay up all your scores with good interest!"

"Don't you threaten us!" said Peter John angrily, speaking now for thefirst time. 

"I'm not threatening you, freshman, I'm just telling you what you'llhave to go through, that's all. You can do with me what you please, butwhatever you do you musn't forget that it'll be paid back five timesover. "

"Don't stop here any longer. Come ahead, fellows, " said Hawley quickly. 

The party with Mott in their midst swiftly passed down the stairway andturned into the street that led toward "the grove, " a clump of huge pinetrees that had stood for many years on the borders of the rear campus ofthe college. The freshmen glanced anxiously about them, but apparentlytheir presence was not noted by the few who were to be seen on thestreet, and they quickly increased the pace at which they were moving. 

As they turned into the campus, Mott suddenly broke away from hiscaptors who had been somewhat deceived by the apparent willingness withwhich he had followed them, and began to run swiftly back toward thecollege buildings. The sophomore was known as one of the fleetest footedmen in college, and already Will Phelps had had him pointed out as oneof the few who had "made" the track team in his freshman year. He hadlooked up to him with the respect that only a freshman can know for theprominent men in college life, and now was his opportunity to test hisown ability against that of the fleeing member of the sophomore class. 

Quickly he darted in pursuit, feeling rather than perceiving that hisown classmates were speedily left far behind him. He was exertinghimself to the utmost and ran as though the prize he was seeking was thegreatest of coveted honors. As he sped over the grass his respect forhis rival increased greatly, for whatever Mott's defects might be, therecertainly was in him no lack of ability to run. The distance between therunners was steadily maintained, and indeed, it seemed to Will as if itwas being increased. On and on he ran, and the college buildings werenow near-by, and if the fleeing sophomore should once gain an entrancein one of them then Will knew all further pursuit would be useless. 

Suddenly the form of Mott disappeared in the dim light and Will Phelpsstopped abruptly and peered keenly before him. But when his classmatesjoined him and all four cautiously advanced, several minutes elapsedbefore a solution for the mystery was found. 

CHAPTER VII

SPLINTER'S QUESTIONS

Directly before them the boys could see a long ditch or trench which hadbeen dug the entire length of the back campus and of whose existencethey had not been aware. Doubtless Mott had known of it, however, and inhis flight had made for it with all the speed he could command, eitherhoping to lead his pursuers into difficulty or trusting that it in someway would provide a means of escape for himself. 

Whatever his plan may have been it succeeded admirably, for when thefour freshmen stood together on the border of the trench not a sign ofthe presence of Mott could be discovered. In which direction he had fledthey were also ignorant. It was evident however that he was gone andafter a careful search had confirmed the conviction in their minds thatthe sophomore had escaped, Will Phelps said:

"We'll have to give it up, fellows. He's gone. "

"We can go up to his room and get him, " suggested Peter John, who wasbecoming exceedingly bold under the confidence which the presence of hisfriends gave him. 

"We can, but we won't, " said Hawley bluntly. 

"Why not?" demanded Schenck. 

"It's one thing to defend yourself, but it's another to fly straightinto the arms of the sophs. I don't wonder that some of the freshmen getinto trouble, they're so fresh. If the sophs didn't take it out of themI think our own class itself would. "

"That's so, " responded Peter John cordially, "I've thought of it myselflots of times. Now there's Merrivale--he rooms next to me, you know--heought to be shown that he's too fresh. "

"What's he done?" inquired Foster. 

"Why he came into my room last week and borrowed fifty cents, and hehasn't paid it back yet, either!"

"Oh, well, just remember what Mott said, Peter John. "

"What did he say?"

"He said every freshman would be paid back with interest. "

"I don't want any interest, " declared Peter John in all seriousness. "I'll be satisfied if I'm paid back without that. "

"You'll get it, though, " laughed Will; and as his two companions alsojoined in his laugh Peter John said no more, except that he "couldn'tsee anything very funny in _that_. "

The boys, however, did not longer delay where they were but quietlyreturned to their rooms, nor were they again disturbed that night. Indeed, for several days the quiet of the college life was not ruffledand both Will Phelps and his room-mate began to hope that their troubleswere at an end. Mott, whom they saw on the following morning when theywere departing from chapel, laughed good-naturedly as he greeted themand indeed his friendship for them seemed to be increased by the recentexperiences through which he had passed. Several times he came to theroom of Will and Foster and remained until his welcome was decidedlythat was displeasing to both the boys, though there threadbare. Therewas something in his bearing was a certain indefinable something abouthim that was not altogether unpleasant. His language, his bearing, andhis general appearance all betokened a certain coarseness of fibre thatsomehow grated upon the feelings of Will and his room-mate, though theycould not have explained even to themselves just what it was. He wassuch a marked man in college, however, and was looked up to by so manythat there was a certain pleasure in his personal attention and bothWill and Foster felt in a measure the flattery of his evident favor. 

The college work had now begun to settle into its regular grooves andwhen another week had elapsed, Will and Foster began to feel that thespirit of their surroundings had to an extent been received by them andthat they were indeed a part of the life. There were moments now thatcame to Will, when do what he might he could not banish from his mindthe thought of the home in Sterling of which practically he was nolonger a part. The vision of his father seated in his easy-chair in thelibrary of an evening, before the fire that glowed upon the hearth, hispaper in his hands and the very manner in which he occasionally glancedup and read to his mother something he had noticed seemed to be one thatWill could not shake off. The pictures on the walls, the very rugs onthe floor, and the chairs in the room could all be distinctly seen, andsomehow the sight never failed to bring a certain depression with it. Will Phelps would indignantly have denied that he was homesick, but asthe days came and went his manner became somewhat subdued and when herose from his bed in the early morning and peered forth from hisbedroom window at the towering hills that were all aglow with the gloryof the rising sun, somehow their very beauty and grandeur seemed todeepen his feeling that he was "a good way off, " as he expressed it, though just what it was that was so far away he could only have vaguelyexpressed or defined. Doubtless his room-mate could have explained tohim that it was the little city of Sterling that now seemed to be soremote, for he too was suffering slightly from the same malady thattroubled his friend. 

Why is it that most boys are so afraid to acknowledge that they are everhomesick? Is it the fear that they may appear too dependent and lessmanly if they confess their longing for home? Certainly no boy who comesfrom a good home detracts from his own strength of character byacknowledging that he misses the home from which he has gone. Indeed, isit not a reflection upon the boy and the home alike, if he declares whenhe goes from his father's house that he misses nothing? To yield to thefeeling of homesickness, to permit it to overmaster one and prevent himfrom performing his tasks in the place wherein he finds himself may be aconfession of weakness, but to suffer nothing from it is to declare aweakness or defect greater still. And Will Phelps, though he was silentas to his own feelings, was suffering keenly in the early days of hislife in Winthrop. 

A week had elapsed since the events recorded in the preceding chapterand Will and Foster were studying busily in their rooms one evening, striving to hold their wearied minds to their work, for there had beenan unexpected written test that day in their Greek and both weresomewhat anxious as to the results of their efforts. 

Suddenly the door opened and in walked Peter John, who had alreadyacquired the collegiate habit of never inquiring if his presence waswelcome in the room into which he came. His face was beaming and it wasat once evident to both Will and Foster that their classmate hadsomething of importance to declare. 

"How'd you get along in the test to-day, fellows?" was Peter John'sfirst question. 

"Not very well, " replied Will, motioning for his visitor to be seated. 

"I just killed it. "

Will and Foster laughed as they heard Peter John already indulging incollege slang. It seemed so out of keeping with his general bearing andappearance. The gap between his trousers and his shoes had never been soapparent, his splotches so vivid, nor his hair so belligerent as now. 

"There's that question, 'Who were the mercenaries of the Greeks, andwhat was a mercenary?' I got that right, I know I did. "

"How did you answer it?" inquired Foster. 

"Why, I said 'a mercenary was a man that sold himself to some one, ' andI showed what I meant by illustrating it. "

"How?"

"I said the professors were the mercenaries of the college. "

"You did?" exclaimed Will, sitting instantly erect. 

"Yes, sir; I did. What's the matter?" he added, as both boys began tolaugh loudly. "Isn't it true?"

"Oh, it's too good to be true. Tell us some more, Peter John. "

"I can't see what you fellows are laughing at, " said Peter John soberly. "That answered the question all right. I'll get an 'A' on that paper. Then there was that question, 'What was the Greek law and conception ofvengeance?' That bothered me a bit at first, but I got it, I'm sure. "

"What did you say?" inquired Will. 

"Why, that's as plain as the nose on your face, " responded Peter Johnglibly. "I said that vengeance was a low-down, mean, spiteful attempt topay back. 'Vengeance is mine and I will repay, ' saith the Lord. "

"Oh, you'll get more than 'A' on that, " said Will in the extremity ofhis delight, as he was compelled to go to the window and gaze out intothe night. "You'll get at least A square. "

"No, I won't. They don't give that. 'A' is the highest mark they give. But I think I got everything right. How did you answer that questionabout what Christian tenet the Greeks believed in?" he added, glancingat the copy of the questions which he held in his hands. 

"How did _you_ answer it, Peter John?" inquired Foster quickly. 

"I answered it that they believed in the immorality of the soul. "

"In the _what?_" demanded Foster soberly. 

"In the immorality of the soul. "

"You meant immortality of the soul, didn't you?"

"Y-e-s, I suppose I did, " assented Peter John somewhat ruefully. "Butold Splinter will understand, " he added quickly. "Splinter will know Ijust left out a 't', and he won't count that against me. "

"No, a little thing like a 't' doesn't count for much, not any more thana decimal point. It doesn't make any difference whether a decimal pointis placed before or after a figure, you know. It's only a little thinganyway. "

"Yes, " assented Peter John, failing to perceive what Foster was saying. "Then there was one other question that was dead easy, " he added. 

"Which one was that?"

"The one about the animals. "

"Let me see, what was that question?" said Foster thoughtfully. 

"Why, don't you remember? It was 'Name six animals that were commonamong the Greeks'. "

"Oh, yes; I recall it now; but I don't think I had it right. I couldthink of but four. "

"Pooh! Easiest question of the whole lot. "

"What was the answer?"

"Easy! Dead easy! I just said, 'Six dogs'. "

The laughter that rang out in the room might have been heard across thecampus; but Peter John was only slightly ruffled, and said:

"Oh, well, you fellows may laugh if you want to, but you'll find outwhen you see my marks. "

"They'll put you in Splinter's place as soon as you graduate, " suggestedFoster when at last he regained control of himself. 

"I wish they would, " responded Will heartily. 

"Splinter" was the term by which the Winthrop boys were accustomed tospeak of Professor Hanson, who was in charge of their Greek work. Thetitle did not appear in the college catalog, it was true; but it was theonly one by which he was known among the irreverent students. He was anelderly man, whose sensitive nature had suffered for many years from theinadequate preparation of successive classes, until at last not onlywere his teeth on edge, but his entire disposition as well. He hadbecome somewhat soured and sarcastic in his dealings with the students, and was more unpopular than any other professor in the college. Hisscholarship was accurate. His ability to impart his knowledge to suchstudents as were eager to learn was also unquestioned, but for theindifferent and lazy, or for the dull or poorly prepared, his words werelike drops of vitriol. 

His popular title of Splinter had been bestowed upon him because ofcertain physical characteristics however. He was a very tall man andexceedingly thin, and the very beard which he wore imparted by its sharppoint an additionally suggestive emphasis to his slight and slenderframe. No one knew how the title originated or how it came to bebestowed upon the professor; but its appropriateness had at oncefastened the term and every entering class received it as a heritagefrom those which had preceded it. 

Will Phelps already had acquired a keen dislike for the man, and he hadlaughed heartily when Mott one night had declared that the student bodyhad been compelled to give Professor Hanson the new name he hadreceived. "You see, " Mott had said, "the faculty and the trusteesdecide what titles a man can wear _after_ his name; so it's only fairthat the students should decide what titles he shall wear _before_ hisname. Now this man's name used to be simply John Hanson. Then somecollege or other said it should be John Hanson, PH. D. Well, the studentshere have only gone a step further and they've not taken anything awayfrom the old fellow. They've added to him, that's what they have; andnow it's Prof. Splinter John Hanson, PH. D. He ought to be grateful, butit's a cold world and I sometimes fear he doesn't appreciate what wasdone for him. In fact such bestowments are rarely received as theyshould be. "

The suggestion Will's room-mate had made that Peter John soon might takeSplinter's place had recalled his own difficulties with the man, butsoon even the thoughts of the unpopular professor of Greek wereforgotten in the new interest that was aroused by the entrance into theroom of three young men who were at once recognized as members of thejunior class. 

CHAPTER VIII

THE PARADE

"You're just the fellows we're looking for, " said Allen, the leadingspirit of the three young men who entered the room. 

"You haven't very far to look, then, " replied Will laughingly, for inhis heart he felt honored by the unexpected visit of the upper classmen. 

"That's right, freshman. How are you getting on?"

"They've kept us busy, to say the least. "

"You mean the sophs?"

"Yes. That's the only class we have to think of, isn't it?"

"No. Your own class is first. "

"It's the best class in college, " interrupted Peter John quickly, andall who were in the room laughed as the uncouth freshman's face flushed. 

"That's the way to talk, " responded Allen. 

"But it is. I'm not joking, " persisted Peter John seriously. 

"No doubt. No doubt. But what we've come for is to tell you about theparade. "

"Parade? What parade?" inquired Foster. 

"Why, every fall there is a parade of the freshmen. They have a bandusually, at least most of the classes have had one and as yours is thebest class that ever entered college, why you won't want to fall behindthe others I know. "

"Who pays for the band?" demanded Peter John. 

"You do, that is, your class does. "

"I won't pay a cent, " retorted Peter John. 

"You don't have to, " laughed Allen. "Some of the others will make it up. I'm just telling you what the custom is and only for your own good. "

"Go on with your story, " interrupted Will. "Let's hear about theparade. "

"It's to come off next Saturday afternoon, and we juniors usually helpout in the scheme, you see. We try to arrange a part of it for you andhelp you out in some of the details. The whole thing is 'horse play, 'just a sort of burlesque, and the more ridiculous you can make it, thebetter. "

"I'll not make a fool of myself for anybody, " spoke up Peter Johnsharply. 

"You don't have to. It won't be necessary, " replied Allen quietly, butin the laugh that followed, Peter John took no part. 

"What do you want us to do?" inquired Foster. 

"Well, we suggest that this young man--I've forgotten his name, " saidAllen, turning to Peter John as he spoke. 

"Schenck. Peter John Schenck--that's my name, and I'm not ashamed of iteither!" said that worthy promptly. "But I don't propose to hire a bandand march around the streets making a fool of myself for anybody. "

"You don't have to, " and again a laugh arose at the junior's words. "Iwas only suggesting, that's all. But if you want to know what I think, I'm of the opinion that if you'd be one to help haul the committee fromthe senior class around in their chariot it would be a good thing foryou. That's only a suggestion on my part, as I told you, and you can doas you please about it. "

"I don't please to do it, " replied Peter John sulkily. 

"What's the 'chariot' you spoke of, Allen?" inquired Will. 

"Oh, it's only an old hay wagon. It's been the custom for some of thefreshmen to haul the officers of the senior class around in it. Itdoesn't amount to much, but honestly I think it will be a good thing foryou to do it. "

"All right, you can count on me, " said Will quickly. 

"I don't want to count on that from you. I've something else for you andBennett to do. "

"What's that?"

"I'll explain it to you. " And Allen at once went into the details of thescheme he proposed. Both Will and Foster laughed as he laid it beforethem, and willingly consented to do their part. Peter John, however, said not a word, and when the visitors prepared to depart, Allen said, "You're to assemble at the gym, you know, and the parade will be formedin front of it on the street. It'll march up Main Street, down East EndAvenue, around through Walker Street, up West Street, across Drury Laneand then back into Main Street and then on down to the ball ground. There the parade will break up and the freshmen and sophomores will havetheir annual ball game. It'll be great fun if you take it in the rightspirit, and you'll have plenty of spectators too. "

"How's that?" said Foster. 

"Why, the whole college, faculty and all, will turn out to see it, andof course all the village people will be on hand, and if it's a goodday there'll be a crowd here from out of town. The trains will becrowded that day, and there'll be a good many who'll come into Winthropwith their automobiles. You'll never forget the day as long as youlive. "

"Great!" exclaimed Will. "I wish it was to-morrow. Where shall we getthese things we're to wear?"

"You can find them in the stores, or maybe I'll be able to help you outsome. Come down to my room to-morrow and I'll see what can be done. Goodnight, " Allen added, as he and his classmates started down the stairway. 

"Good night, " responded Will and Foster, and then closed the door. 

"Of all the foolishness I ever heard that beats all, " said Peter Johnwhen the freshmen were by themselves once more. "They don't get me intoit. "

"Oh, yes, Peter John. Don't pull off that way, " said Will cordially. 

"Not much. I'm not so big a fool as they take me to be. "

"You'll be a bigger one if you keep out. "

"Maybe I will, but I'm not going to go into any such doings. "

"Now look here, Peter John. You're a freshman, but you can't help thatand no one blames you for it. I'm--"

"I'm no more a freshman than you are, " retorted Peter John warmly. 

"Right you are. But you don't want to make a bad matter worse. If youkeep out you'll be a marked man and everybody in college will hearabout it. It'll be a great deal better for you to go in quietly, andwhatever you think about it, just keep your thoughts to yourself, anddon't call the attention of the whole college to you by yourfoolishness. It'll be simply a challenge for the sophs, if you don't doit, and you'll be the one to suffer. "

"You think so?"

"I know so. "

"I guess the sophs found out what sort of a fellow I was the othernight. I'd have brained the first one that laid hands on me. "

"You didn't though, and you wouldn't. It's a great deal better to do asHawley did and just laugh it off. "

"Oh, I laughed all right, and I'd have given those fellows something tolaugh about too, if they hadn't tied me up. "

"Of course, but the trouble is they did tie you up, and the next timeit'll be worse than that. It isn't worth while to kick too hard, PeterJohn. A fellow has just got to take some things in life as he finds themand not as he'd like to have them. It's the only way, and the sooner helearns it the better. "

"But my father told me never to let anybody impose on me, " said PeterJohn dubiously. 

"Nobody is going to impose on you. You won't be doing anything more thanevery fellow in the class, and if you don't go in you'll be the onemarked exception. The sophs will take it as an invitation. "

"You think so, do you?"

"Yes, sir, I do. Come along, Peter John, and don't make any more fussabout it. "

"Well, I'll think about it, " replied the freshman as he departed forhis own room in Leland Hall. 

Saturday dawned bright and clear and the interest and excitement in thecollege over the parade rose to its highest point. A band had beensecured from a neighboring city, and in the afternoon, when its stirringstrains were heard from the steps of the gymnasium, all the freshmenwere made aware that the time for their assembly had arrived. There werecrowds of strangers to be seen about the streets and the little town wasall active with unwonted bustle. Automobiles were arriving, thesophomores were assembling at the various buildings, and their jeers andcries could be heard as they greeted the appearance of the members ofthe class below them when they started for the gymnasium. 

Will Phelps and Foster Bennett felt keenly the prevailing excitement, and when they entered the gymnasium building they found a large numberof their own classmates already assembled and keenly alive to thedemands that were soon to be made upon them. 

Under the experienced guidance of the committee of juniors the freshmenwere soon equipped for their various parts and the procession wasformed. In advance moved the band and behind it was a huge hay wagon inwhich in great dignity were seated six of the seniors. The wagon itselfwas drawn by sixteen freshmen, all of whom had a tight grasp upon theropes that had been fastened to the wagon tongue. Directly behind thewagon came Will Phelps and Foster Bennett and two of their classmates, all dressed in the garb of firemen, with red jackets and helmet hats ofpaper. In their hands was a huge rope at least two and a half inches indiameter, which was attached to a tiny tin fire engine not more than afoot in length. Behind the firemen came Hawley, who was dressed as aninfant with a lace cap on his head and carefully tied bows under hischin, while in his hands he was carrying a bottle of milk. He was seatedin an improvised baby carriage, which was being pushed by one of thesmallest members of the freshman class. "Sunny Jim, " Charley Chaplin andBen Turpin were among the characters that could be seen in the longlines of freshmen that, three abreast, were arranged still farther backin the procession, and at last, at the word of Allen, the junior who wasacting as the marshal of the day, the march was begun. Frequently Willturned and glanced behind him at the long, tortuous line, and itsridiculous appearance caused him to laugh and say to Foster:

"Did you ever see anything in your life like that?"

"I never did. "

"Silence there in the ranks!" called Allen sharply, for he chanced to bemarching near the "fire engine. " Not a trace of a smile could be seen onhis face, and to all appearances he was engaged in what he consideredone of the most serious events of his life. 

In the streets the people were lined up and their laughter andgood-natured applause could be heard on every side. Small boys followedthe line of march or walked beside the long column, and their derisiveremarks were frequent and loud. The sophomores also added theircomments, but there was no open disturbance throughout the march. Itwas one of the events of freshman year and as such was evidently not tobe entered upon lightly or unadvisedly, like certain other importantepochs in life. 

At last the procession arrived at the athletic field and there broke upfor the baseball game with the sophomores. The grand stand was alreadyfilled with the people and students that had watched the march, and, assoon as Will and Foster had donned their baseball suits, for both hadbeen selected to play on the freshman nine, they appeared upon thefield, where already the other members of the team were awaiting theircoming. 

"I didn't see Peter John, did you, Foster?" inquired Will. 

"No. It'll be all the worse for him, I fancy. "

"No doubt about that. What are we going to do with him, Foster?"

"Nothing. "

"I don't like to see the chap suffer for his own foolishness. "

"Neither do I. But he'll have to learn for himself. You can't tell himanything. "

"You can _tell_ him all right enough, but I'm afraid that's all the goodit does. You might as well try to polish sponge. "

The conversation ceased as the call for the game to be begun was heardand both boys hastened to take the positions in which they were to play. The noise among the spectators increased as the signal was given, butfor three innings both nines played earnestly and seriously. At the endof the third inning, with the score standing five to four in favor ofthe sophomores, a radical change was made. The batter was blindfoldedand compelled to stand upon an upturned barrel, which was substitutedfor the home plate. The pitcher and catcher were each also to stand upona barrel and the pitcher was ordered to throw the ball with his lefthand. Naturally it was impossible for the batter to hit the ball, sincehe was blindfolded, and when three strikes had been called he tore thebandage from his eyes and upon his hands and knees was compelled tocrawl toward first base. The baseman stood with his back to the fieldand naturally found it difficult to secure the ball which had beenthrown by the left hand of the catcher. Shrieks of laughter arose fromthe spectators, shouts and class cries were heard on every side, tinhorns mingled their noise with the blasts of the band, and altogetherWill Phelps thought that the scene was unique in the experiences of hisyoung life. 

CHAPTER IX

THE WALK WITH MOTT

In the days that immediately followed the freshman parade and theburlesque game of baseball with the rival class, the work before WillPhelps and his room-mate settled more deeply into its regular grooves. The novelty of the new life was now gone and to Will it almost seemedthat ages had passed since he had been a member of the household inSterling. His vision of the hilltops from his bedroom window becamelonger and he could see in his mind far behind the towering barriers ofthe hills into the familiar street and well-remembered rooms of hisfather's house. The foliage on the hillsides now had assumed itsgorgeous autumn dress and wherever he looked the forests seemed to beclad as if they were all on dress parade. The sight was beautiful andone which in after years was ever present with him; but in those earlydays of his freshman year in Winthrop, it seemed somehow to impress himas a great barrier between his home and the place where he then was. 

However, he never referred to his feeling to any one, not even toFoster, and strove manfully to bear it all. He was working well, but inhis Greek he was finding increasing difficulty. This he acknowledged inpart was due to his own neglect in the earlier years of his preparatorycourse, but boy-like he attributed most of his lack of success in thatdepartment to "Splinter, " for whom he came to cherish a steadilyincreasing dislike. The man's personality was exceedingly irritating tothe young freshman and his dislike for the professor was becomingintense--a marked contrast to his feeling for his teacher in mathematicsfor whom he entertained a regard that was but little short of adoration. His knowledge evidently was so great, and his inspiring personality inthe classroom was so enjoyable that Will soon found himself working inthat department as he never before had worked in his brief life. Already, the boys were referring to him as a "shark, " and the praise ofhis classmates was sweet. But in Greek--that was an altogether differentaffair, he declared. Splinter was so cold-blooded, so unsympathetic, andsarcastic, he appeared to be so fond of "letting a fellow make a fool ofhimself in recitation, " as Will expressed it, that he found but littlepleasure in his work. And Will had already suffered from the keen shaftsof the teacher's merciless ridicule. One day, when in fact he had spentan additional hour in the preparation of his lesson in Greek, though theresults he had achieved left him still troubled as he thought of therecitation, he had been called upon to translate and make comments upona portion of the lesson of the day. He could feel as well as see, or atleast he fancied that he saw, the drawing down of Splinter's lips thatpresaged an outburst of sarcasm. Will had been permitted to go throughhis task without interruption and then the professor had said dryly, "That will do, Mr. Phelps. That is what one might term 'making Greek' ofit. It certainly is justice neither to the Greek nor to the English. " Apartly suppressed titter had run through the class at the biting words, and with face flushed scarlet Will Phelps had resumed his seat, feelingthat in all the world there could not be found another man so thoroughlydespicable as Splinter. And his feeling of dislike had increased withthe passing days. He had come not only to detest the man, but the Greekas well. If he could have followed his own desire he would haveabandoned the subject at once and substituted something in its place, but Will understood fully his father's desire for him to becomeproficient in that department and how useless it would be for him towrite home for the desired permission. In sheer desperation he began todevote additional time to his study of Greek, until he felt that he wasalmost neglecting certain other studies in his course that in themselveswere far more enjoyable. But his progress under Splinter seemed to be inno wise advanced, and soon Will was cherishing a feeling that wassomething between a hopeless rage and an ungovernable detestation. 

One break had occurred, however, in that both he and Foster had joinedone of the Greek letter fraternities--the Phi Alpha. Both freshmen werenow taking their meals at the fraternity house and in the goodfellowship and the presence of his fellow-members he found a measure ofrelief from the homesickness that was troubling him and his difficultieswith the detested professor of Greek. It was also a source of somecomfort to him to learn that his own feeling for Splinter was one thatwas commonly held by all the students who had been under him; but thoughhis misery may have loved the company, his problem still remained hisown and appeared to be as far from solution as ever. 

Not long after Will and Foster had joined the Phi Alpha fraternity, Peter John had dropped into their room one evening and quicklydiscovered the neat little badge or pin that each boy wore on his vestdirectly over his heart. 

"Hello!" exclaimed Peter John; "you've joined the Phi Alpha, have you?"

"Yes, " replied Will quietly, striving then to change the topic ofconversation, for the subject was one not to be cheapened by ordinaryremarks. 

"It's about the best in college, isn't it?" persisted Peter John. 

"That's not for us to say, " laughed Will. 

"I haven't joined any fraternity yet, " said Peter John. "My father toldme I'd better wait and perhaps he'd come up to Winthrop a little laterand then he'd tell me which one to join. "

Will and Foster glanced at each other, but neither spoke. In fact therewas nothing to say. 

"If you feel sure the Phi Alpha's the best, I might write home to myfather and perhaps he'd let me join now, " suggested Peter John. "Hethinks that whatever you two fellows do is about right. "

As only about half the students in Winthrop were members of the Greekletter fraternities, and as those who were elected were chosen becauseof certain elements in their characters or lives that made themspecially desirable as companions or comrades, the election wasnaturally looked upon as an especial honor and many of the enteringclass had been eagerly awaiting the invitation for which all longed. Peter John Schenck's unique personality and his sublime self-assurancehad been qualities, if no other defects had been apparent, that wouldhave debarred him, but he was so sublimely unconscious of all this--"Noteven knowing enough to know that he didn't know, the worst form ofignorance in all the world, " Foster had half angrily declared--that notfor a moment did he dream that his membership was something perhapsundesirable of itself. 

"I might write home and ask him, " suggested Peter John when neither ofhis classmates responded. "I think I like the Phi Alpha pretty wellmyself. "

"I wouldn't do it, " said Foster. "How are you making out with Splinter?"he added, striving to change the subject. 

"Oh, Splinter's all right. "

"Glad you think so, " said Will bitterly. 

"Some of the fellows think he's hard, but he's all right if you know howto handle him, " declared Peter John pompously. "I'll put down a goodmark for him. "

"Good for you, Peter John!" laughed Foster. "Wait till he puts down yourmark. "

"I'll get an 'A' in Greek. "

"I hope you'll give me a part of it then, " said Will. "Did you ever seesuch a fellow?" he said to Foster when their visitor had departed. 

"I never did. I don't mind him myself, but for his own sake I wish hecould learn something. I don't believe he'll ever do it though. "

"I'm afraid he'll be taught some things that are not in the course ofstudy. "

"Do him good, " remarked Foster, as he turned once more to his work. 

The following day was Saturday, and in the afternoon there were norecitations. Will had promised Mott that he would go for a long walkwith him, and promptly after luncheon the sophomore appeared. For somereason which Will could not explain, Mott appeared to have taken adecided fancy to him, and had paid him many special attentions. Therewas little about him that was attractive to Will, but somehow he foundit difficult to avoid him. He certainly was a well dressed handsomeyoung fellow, and was prominent in college chiefly because of hissuccess in athletics, for already he had the reputation of being one ofthe swiftest runners in college. But in the college vernacular he wascommonly referred to as a "sport, " a term for which Will instinctivelyhad little liking, and less for the young man himself. However, he hadfound it difficult to avoid him, and somewhat reluctantly he hadconsented to take the long walk to a distant village with him on the dayto which reference has been made. 

For a time after the two young men had departed from Winthrop, and hadmade their way up the road that led along the steep hillside, theexhilaration of the bracing air and the superb view had made Will keenlyalive to the beauties of the surrounding region. A soft halo covered thesummits of the lofty hills, and the quiet of the valley was almost asimpressive as the framework of the mountains. Mott too had beenexceedingly pleasant in all that he had said, and Will was almostbeginning to feel that he had misjudged his companion, and that hisreputation was worse than the fellow himself. 

They had now left the hillside road and were once more in the valley andnot far from the village they were seeking. 

"I hear you're quite a fair sprinter, " suggested Mott, as theyproceeded. 

"I do a little, " assented Will, laughing lightly as he spoke. 

"Where did you run?"

"On the high school team. "

"What high school?"

"Sterling. "

"Run against the other schools in the league?"

"Yes, " replied Will, wondering how it was that Mott happened to know ofthe existence of the league. 

"How did you come out?"

"Oh, I happened to win. There wasn't very much to run against, you see. "

"What time did you make?"

"Ten, two. "

"Going to run here?"

"Going to try to. "

"I find this taking long walks is good for me, " said Mott. "It keeps mymuscles in trim and gives me wind. "

This, then, was the object which Mott had in view in inviting him totake the walk, Will hastily concluded. He wanted to find out all hecould learn about his ability as a runner, and in spite of himself Willwas flattered by the evident interest and attention. They were nowwithin the confines of the village, and excusing himself for a momentMott left Will, but when he returned it was evident from the odor abouthim that the sophomore had been to some speakeasy. Will had known ofMott's habits, and the fact that he had left him and gone alone tosecure his drink argued that the fellow was not altogether bad. 

There was not a long delay in the village, and the return by a differentroad from that by which they had come was suggested by Mott, and Willhad acquiesced. They had not gone far, however, before Mott discovered afarmer approaching with a team and a heavy but empty farm wagon, andquickly suggested that they should ride, and as Will at once agreed, hiscompanion hailed the passing man. 

"Hi, grandpa! Will you give us a ride?" he called. 

Without a word the farmer, who was an old man, halted his team andpermitted the boys to clamber up into the wagon. 

"This is more like it, " said Mott, forgetful of the benefits of walking, as the horses started. 

"It's not half bad, " replied Will, as he glanced at the old man who wasdriving. A straw hat covered his gray head, and his untrimmed gray beardas well as his somewhat rough clothing could not entirely detract fromthe keen twinkle in his eyes. 

"I fancy, " said Mott, addressing the driver, "that the beauties of thiscountry have added much to your longevity?"

"My which?" demanded the farmer sharply. 

"Your longevity. "

"I never had no such complaint's that. I've had the rheumatiz, butthat's all that ever bothered me any. "

"You are to be congratulated, " murmured Mott. 

"Guess that's so. See that buryin' ground over there?" inquired thedriver, pointing as he spoke to a quaint little cemetery by theroadside. 

"Yes, " replied Mott. "Probably most of the people died of longevity. "

"It don't tell on th' gravestones. Jest got a new gravedigger. "

"How's that?"

"Third we've had inside o' a year. Had one fur nigh onto forty year, buthe up an' died. "

"Longevity?" gravely inquired Mott. 

"Like enough; though some folks thought 'twas softenin' o' th' brain;but my 'pinion is he never had any brains to get soft. Still he were agood digger, but the man we got next was no good. "

"What was the trouble with him? More longevity?"

"No; he buried everybody with their feet to the west. "

"Isn't that the proper thing?"

"No, 'tisn't!"

"Why?"

"Any fool knows ye ought t' be buried with yer feet t' the east. "

"Why's that?"

"So't ye can hear Gabriel's trumpet better when he blows, an' can riseup facin' him an' be all ready t' go when he calls. "

"I hadn't thought of that. "

"Like 's not. Some folks don't. We've got another digger now, an' heknows. "

For a time conversation ceased, and the farmer drove briskly along thecountry road. When an hour had elapsed, Mott said, "I don't see thatwe're getting anywhere near Winthrop. "

"Winthrop? Is that where ye want t' go? Students there, maybe?"

"Yes. "

"Well, we've been goin' straight away from Winthrop all the time. Yedidn't say nothin' 'bout it, an' I didn't feel called upon t' explain, for I supposed college students knew everything. "

"How far is it to Winthrop?" inquired Will blankly. 

"'Beout ten mile, " responded the farmer, his eyes twinkling as he reinedin his team. 

CHAPTER X

A VISITOR

The boys both hastily leaped to the ground and the old farmer quicklyspoke to his team and started on, leaving his recent passengers in sucha frame of mind that they even forgot to thank him for his courtesy andkindness. As the wagon drove off, Will fancied that he heard a slychuckle from the driver but he had disappeared around the bend in theroad before the young freshman recovered from his astonishmentsufficiently to speak of it. 

"That old chap wasn't such a fool after all, " said Mott glumly. 

"That's what he wasn't, " responded Will beginning to laugh. 

"What are you laughing at?" demanded Mott sharply. 

"At ourselves. "

"I don't see the joke. "

"Might as well laugh as cry. "

"You'll sing another song before you're back in Winthrop to-night. Tenmiles isn't any laughing matter after we've tramped as far as we haveto-day. "

"But it'll help us for our track meet, " suggested Will, laughing again. 

"Bother the track meet!"

"It'll help our longevity then. I've always heard that walking was thebest exercise. "

"The old fellow was foxy. He never said a word but just let us talk on. I'd give a dollar to hear his account of it when he gets home. "

"Cheap enough. But say, Mott, have we got to tramp all the way back toWinthrop?"

"Looks that way. "

"Can't we get a car here somewhere?"

"Hardly. We might try it at that farmhouse over yonder, " replied Mottpointing toward a low house not far away as he spoke. 

"Come ahead! Let's try it anyway, " suggested Will eagerly. 

The boys at once hastened to the place, and after a brief delaysucceeded in summoning the young farmer who lived there. They made theirwishes known, but in response the man said, "Can't do it anyhow. Mywife's sick and I'm goin' for the doctor now. "

"Where is he?" demanded Will eagerly. 

"Over at the Junction. "

Will knew where the Junction was, a little hamlet about seven miles fromWinthrop. How far it was distant from the place where he then was, however, he had no idea. It was easy to ascertain, and in response tohis question the farmer explained that it was "about three mile. "

"You might take us there, then, " said Will quickly. "I don't know justhow the trains run for Winthrop, but it'll be three miles neareranyway. "

"Yes, I'll be glad to take you there. "

"How much are you going to charge us?" demanded Mott who did not plan tobe caught again by the "guilelessness" of any of the people of theregion. 

"Oh, I sha'n't charge ye anything. Glad t' do ye the favor, " respondedthe farmer heartily. 

In a brief time his car was ready, and, acting upon his suggestion, theboys at once took their places on the seat, and the driver soon wasbriskly speeding down the roadway. 

Conversation lagged, for the boys were somewhat wearied by their longtramp and the young farmer was silent, doubtless anxious over theillness in his home. When a brief time had elapsed he deposited the boyson the platform of the little station at the Junction, and againdeclining any offer on their part to pay for the service he had renderedthem at once departed in his search for the physician. 

Approaching the little window in the ticket office Mott inquired, "What's the next train we can get for Winthrop?"

"No more trains to-night, " responded the man without looking up from thenoisy clicker over which he was bending. 

"No more trains?"

"That's what I said. The last one passed here fifteen minutes ago. "

"Isn't there any way we can get there?"

"I s'pose there is. "

"What is it?" demanded Mott eagerly. 

"Walk. "

"How far is it?"

"Seven miles. "

"And there's no other way?"

"You won't be the first that have counted the ties between Junction andWinthrop. "

"Isn't there a freight train that comes along pretty soon?" inquiredWill. 

"There's one that's due in 'bout an hour. But you never can depend onit. It may be here in an hour and it may be three hours. You never cantell. "

"What shall we do, Phelps?" inquired Mott, turning sharply to hiscompanion. 

"I don't care much, but I believe it would be better for us to start. Itisn't so very far and besides it'll be good for our longevity and helpus for the meet. "

There was an exclamation of anger from Mott who doubtless had becomesomewhat sensitive to the frequent references to his favorite expressionof the day, but he made no protest and the two boys at once started upthe track. Both were hungry and weary but the distance must betraversed, and there was no time or breath to waste in complaining. Steadily they trudged onward, the monotony of the walk increased by thedeepening darkness. They had been gone from the station only about anhour when the shrill screech of the whistle from a locomotiveapproaching from behind them was heard, and in a few minutes the longand noisy freight train thundered past them. 

Mott was almost beside himself with rage as he watched the passing carsand heaped all manner of maledictions upon the head of the stationagent, who, he declared, must have known the train was coming, and withmalice aforethought had withheld his knowledge and advised the boys towalk. "Everybody was against the college boys, " he declared, "and lookedupon it as legitimate to take advantage of them in every possiblemanner. " But Will only laughed in response and made no protests thoughhe was as thoroughly wearied as his companion. 

At last the lights of the college could be seen and shortly after teno'clock they arrived at their dormitory. "We'll remember this walk, Itake it, " said Mott glumly as he turned toward his room. 

"We certainly shall, " replied Will. "The 'longevity' of that old farmerwas something wonderful. "

"Bother his longevity!" exclaimed Mott as he turned quickly away. 

Left to himself Will slowly climbed the stairs until he arrived at hisown room, but as he was about to enter he suddenly stopped and listenedintently to the sound of voices within. Surely he knew that voice, hethought, and in an instant opened the door and burst into the room. 

Seated in the easy-chair was his father. Instantly Will's weariness wasforgotten and with a shout he rushed upon his visitor throwing his armabout his neck and laughing in a way that may have served to keep down astronger emotion. 

"How long have you been here?" he demanded. "Where's mother? When didyou come? How's everybody at home? Anything wrong? My, but I'm glad tosee you! How long are you going to stay?"

The questions and exclamations fell from Will's lips in such confusionthat it was impossible to reply and even Foster who was in the roomjoined in the laugh with which his room-mate's excitement was greeted. 

"Not too fast, Will, " laughed his father. "I had to come near here onbusiness and I thought it would be a good thing to stop at Winthrop overnight and have a little visit with my boy. I didn't know that I shouldbe able to have one, " he added smilingly, "for he wasn't anywhere to befound. "

"I'm sorry! I wish I'd known it. I've been out for a walk with Mott. Andwe certainly have had one!" he added as he recounted some of theexperiences of the afternoon. 

His recital was greeted with laughter and even Will himself could enjoyit now that it was all past and he was once more safe in his room. Foran hour Mr. Phelps remained in the room listening to the tales of theboys of their new life in the college, laughing as he heard of theirpranks, and deeply interested in all they had to relate. At last when hearose to go to his room in the village hotel, he promised to come andattend church in the morning with the boys and then explained that hewould have two hours to spend with Will on the morning following as histrain did not leave until half-past ten. 

"But I have a recitation the first hour, " said Will blankly. "I'll 'cut'it, though, for it isn't every day one has his daddy with him, and Iwouldn't lose a minute of your time here, pop, for ten hours with oldSplinter. I have Greek, you know, the first hour in the morning. Oh, I've got 'cuts' to burn, " he added hastily as an unspoken protestappeared in the expression on his father's face. "You needn't worryabout that. "

"I don't want you to lose any recitation because I am here, " said hisfather quietly. "I sha'n't want to come again if my coming interfereswith your work, and as it is I have serious doubts--"

"All right, pop, " replied Will patting his father affectionately on theshoulder. "I'll go to Splinter's class, though I know he'll 'go for' metoo. I won't do a thing that'll ever keep you from showing up here inWinthrop again. "

On Monday morning after the exercises in the chapel, Mr. Phelps went toWill's room and waited till the hour should pass and the eager-heartedboy should return. As the great clock in the tower rang out the hour hearose and stood in front of the window peering out across the campus atthe building where Will was at work, but the stroke had scarcely ceasedbefore he beheld the lad run swiftly down the steps and speed along thepathway toward his room as if he were running for a prize. Theexpression in the man's eyes was soft and there was also a suspiciousmoisture in them as well as he watched his boy. Was it only a dream orreality? Only a few short years ago and he had been an eager-hearted boyspeeding over the same pathway (he smiled as he thought how the "speed"was never displayed on his way to the recitation building), and now itwas his own boy who was sharing in the life of old Winthrop anddoubtless he himself was in the minds of the young students relegated tothat remote and distant period when the "old grads" were supposed to beyoung. Doubtless to them it was a time as remote as that when Homer'sheroes contended in battle or the fauns and satyrs peopled the woodedhills and plains. And yet how vital it all was to him. He watched thegroups of students moving across the campus, and as the sound of theirshouts or laughter or the words of some song rose on the autumn air, itseemed to the man that he needed only to close his eyes and the old lifewould return--a life so like the present that it did not seem possiblethat a great gulf of thirty years lay between. 

Mr. Phelps' meditations were interrupted by the entrance of Will, whoburst into the room with the force of a small whirlwind. 

"Here I am, pop!" he exclaimed as he tossed his books upon his couch andthrew his cap to the opposite side of the room. "Old Splinter stuck megood this morning, but I can stand it as long as you are here. "

"Who is Splinter?"

"Why, don't you know? I thought everybody knew Splinter. He's ourprofessor of Greek and the biggest fraud in the whole faculty. "

"What's the trouble with him?" Mr. Phelps spoke quietly but there wassomething in his voice that betrayed a deeper feeling and one that Willwas quick to perceive and that gave him a twinge of uneasiness as well. 

"Oh, he's hard as nails. He must have 'ichor' in his veins, not blood. Idon't believe he ever was a boy. He must have been like Pallas Athenæ. Wasn't she the lady that sprang full-fledged from the brain of Zeus?Well, I've a notion that Splinter yelled in Greek when he was a baby. That is, if he ever was an infant, and called for his bottle in dactylichexameter. Oh, I know lots about Greek, pop, " laughed Will as his fathersmiled. "I know the alphabet and a whole lot of things even if Splinterthinks I don't. "

"Doesn't he think you know much about your Greek?"

"Well, he doesn't seem to be overburdened with the weight of his opinionof me. He just looks upon me, I'm afraid, as if I was not a bright andshining light. 'Learn Greek or grow up in ignorance, ' that's the burdenof his song, and I've sometimes thought that about all the fun he has inlife is flunking freshmen. "

"How about the freshmen?"

"You mean me? Honestly, pop, I haven't done very well in my Greek; but Idon't think it's all my fault. I've worked on it as I haven't worked onanything else in college. I've done my part, but Splinter doesn't seemto believe it. What am I going to do about it?"

Will in spite of his light-hearted ways, was seriously troubled and hisfather was silent for a brief time before he responded to the boy'squestion. 

CHAPTER XI

THE PERPETUAL PROBLEM

"I was aware that you were having trouble with your Greek, " said Mr. Phelps quietly, "and that was one of my reasons for stopping over here. "

"You were? How did you know?"

"I had received word from the secretary of the faculty. He sent me aformal note announcing that your work was so low that it was more thanprobable you would fail in your mid-year examination. "

For a moment Will Phelps was silent. His face became colorless and hisheart seemed almost to rise in his throat. Fail in his mid-year's? A"warning" sent home to his father? To the inexperienced young student itseemed for a moment as if he was disgraced in the eyes of all hisfriends. He knew that his work had been of a low grade, but never for amoment had he considered it as being at all serious. So many of hisnewly formed friends in the college had been speaking of theirconditions and low grades as a matter of course and had referred to themlaughingly, much as if they were good jokes to be enjoyed that Will toohad come almost to feel that his own trouble was not a serious one. AndSplinter was the one to be blamed for the most of it, he was convinced. The words of his father, however, had presented the matter in anentirely different light, and his trouble was vastly increased by itsevident effect upon him. Will's face was drawn and there was anexpression of suffering upon it as he glanced again at his father andsaid:

"What shall I do? Will it drop me out of college?"

"I think not necessarily. You must pass off more than half your hours toenable you to keep on with your class; but failure in one study will notbring that of itself, for your Greek is a four-hour course. But thematter is, of course, somewhat serious and in more ways than one. "

"Yes, I know it, " replied Will despondently. 

"Well, if you know it, that's half the battle won already. The greatesttrouble with most unsuccessful men is that they have never learned whattheir own weaknesses and limitations are. But you say you know, and Iwish you'd tell me what you think the chief difficulty is. "

"My Greek, " said Will, trying to smile. 

"But what's the trouble with the Greek?"

"The trouble is that the Greek troubles me. I suppose the Greek is allright and I'm all wrong. "

"In what way?"

"I don't know it as I ought to. "

"Is that 'Splinter's' fault?"

"No, it's mine. You know how hard I worked in the closing half of mylast year in the high school, but that didn't, and I suppose couldn't, make up for what I hadn't done before. "

"Are you working hard now?"

"On my Greek?"

"Yes. "

"I'm putting more time on that than on everything else. "

"I didn't ask you about the 'time, ' but about the work. "

"Why, yes. I don't just see what you mean. I spend three hours on myGreek every day we have it. "

"It's one thing to 'spend the time' and another to work. Some men willaccomplish more in an hour than others will in three. "

"I do my best, " said Will gloomily. He felt almost as if his father wasunfair with him and was disposed to question what he had said. 

"Now, Will, " said Mr. Phelps quietly, but in a tone of voice which hisboy clearly understood, "it would be an easy thing for me to smooth overthis matter and make light of it, but my love and interest in you aretoo strong to permit me to think of that for a moment. I believe in you, my boy, but there are some things in which I cannot aid you, some thingswhich you must learn and do for yourself. Last year you faced yourcrisis as a man should, and I believe you will face this one too. "

"It seems as if there was always something to be faced. "

"There is. That's it, exactly. My boy, Splinter, as you call yourprofessor in Greek, is not limited to the faculty of Winthrop College. In one form or another he presents himself all through your life. Hisname is simply that of the perpetual problem. "

"I don't see, then--" interrupted Will. 

"No, you don't see; but it is just because I do, and I am your father, that I am talking in this way. Why do you think I have sent you tocollege? It isn't for the name of it, or for the fun you will get out ofit, or even for the friendships you will form here, though every one ofthese things is good in itself. It is to have you so trained, or ratherfor you so to train yourself, that when you go out from Winthrop youwill be able to meet the very problems of which I am speaking and masterthem. They come to all, and the great difference in men is really intheir ability to solve these very things. I think it is Emerson whosays, 'It is as easy for a large man to do large things as it is for asmall man to do small things. ' And that is what I want for you, my boy, the ability to do the greater things. "

"But I'll never use Greek any. I wish I could take some other study inits place. "

"Just now it is not a question of Greek or something in its place. It isa question of facing and overcoming a difficulty or permitting it toovercome you. You must decide whether you will be a victor or a victim. There are just three things a man can do when he finds himself compelledto meet one of these difficult things that in one form or another cometo everybody. He can turn and run from it, but that's the part of acoward. He can get around it, evade it somehow, but that's the part ofthe timid and palterer, and sooner or later the superficial man is foundout. Then there is the best way, which is to meet and master it. Everybody has to decide which he will do, but do one of the three hemust, and there is no escape. "

"You think I ought to hit it between the eyes?"

"Yes, though I should not put it in quite that way, " said his fatherwith a smile. 

"I'd like to smash it! I don't like it! I'll never make a Greek scholar, and I detest Splinter. He's as dry as a bone or a Greek root! He hasn'tany more juice than a piece of boiled basswood!"

"That does not alter the matter. It won't change, and you've got tochoose in which of the three ways I have suggested you will meet it. "

"I suppose that's so, " said Will quietly. "But it doesn't make it anyeasier. "

"Not a bit. "

"I know what you would say. "

"Then it isn't necessary for me to say another word. There's one thing Iam thankful for, Will, and that is that you and I are such good friendsthat we can talk this trouble all over together. The dean was telling methis morning--"

"Have you seen the dean?" interrupted Will quickly. "What did he say?"

"The dean was telling me, " resumed Mr. Phelps smiling and ignoring theinterruption, "that he sees so many of what might be termed the tragicalelements of college life, that he sometimes feels as if he could notretain his position another day. Fathers and mothers broken-hearted, boys discouraged or worse, but the most tragical experience of all, hesays, is to try to deal with fathers who have no special interest intheir boys, and between whom there is no confidence. Whatever troublesmay come to us, Will, I am thankful that that at least will not be oneof them. "

As he spoke Mr. Phelps arose, for the machine which was to convey him tothe station could now be seen approaching and the time of his departurehad arrived. His good-bye was hastily spoken for he knew how hard itwould be for Will to be left behind, and in a brief time he had takenhis seat in the auto. He saw Will as he hastily ran back to his room andthen he could see him as he stood by the window in his room watching thedeparting auto as long as it could be seen. He gave no signal to showthat he saw his boy, but his own eyes were wet as he was carried swiftlydown the street, as he thought of the predicament in which Will was andhow the testing-time had come again. But the young student must be leftto fight out his battle alone. To save him from the struggle would be tosave him from the strength. If it were only possible for a father tosave his boy by assuming his burden, how thankful he would be, was Mr. Phelps' reflection, but he was too wise a man and too good a father toflinch or falter now, and, though his heart was heavy, he resolutelykept on his way leaving Will to fight his own battle, and hoping thatthe issue would be as he most fervently desired. 

Left to himself, for a moment Will was almost despondent. The departureof his father seemed to leave the loneliness intensified, but he wasrecalled as he heard some one run up the stairway and rush into theroom. His visitor was Mott, and perhaps the sophomore almostinstinctively felt that his presence was not welcome, for he said:

"Governor gone, Phelps? Hope he left a good-sized check with you! I'vecome over to be the first to help you get rid of it. "

"What's the trouble?" inquired Will quietly, glancing up as he spoke. "Your money all gone? Want to borrow some?"

"I'm always ready for that, " laughed Mott, "though I'll have to own upthat I've got a few cents on hand yet. No, I don't know that I want toborrow any; but I thought you might want a little help in getting rid ofthat check, and I'd just run over to oblige you. Just pure missionarywork, you see. " Mott seated himself in the large easy-chair andendeavored to appear at his ease, though to Will it still seemed as ifthere was something which still troubled his visitor. 

"I haven't any special check. "

"That's all right. My 'old man' never has been up to see me since Ientered Winthrop, but as I look around at the fellows whose fathers andmothers have been up, I've noticed that they're usually pretty flushright after the old gentleman departs. "

"Hasn't your mother ever been up?" inquired Will in surprise. 

"No. Why should she? She hasn't any time to bother with me. She's onmore than forty boards, and is on the 'go' all the time. She has toattend all sorts of 'mothers' meetings' too, and I believe she has alecture also, which she gives. "

"A lecture?"

"Yes. She has a lecture on 'The proper method of bringing up boys. ' Howdo you suppose she ever has any time to visit me?" Mott laughed as ifthe matter was one of supreme indifference to him, but Will fancied thathe could detect a feeling of bitterness beneath it all. For himself, thecondition described by the sophomore seemed to him to be incredible. Hisown relations with his father had been of the frankest and most friendlynature. Indeed, it never occurred to him in a time of trouble orperplexity that there was any one else to whom he so naturally could goas to his own father. Since he had entered Winthrop, however, he haddiscovered several who were not unlike Mott in their feelings towardtheir own families; and as Mott spoke he almost unconsciously found afeeling of sympathy arising in his heart for him. Some of his apparentlyreckless deeds could be explained now. 

"Mott, you must go home with me next vacation, " he said impulsively. 

"That's good of you, but it's too far off to promise. Say, Phelps, what's become of that man Friday of yours?"

"Who's he?"

"Schenck. "

"Oh, he's flourishing. "

"He's the freshest freshman that ever entered Winthrop. What do yousuppose he had the nerve to say to me to-day?"

"I can't imagine. "

"Well, he told me that he thought the Alpha Omega was the bestfraternity in college, and that he'd made up his mind to join it. "

As this was the fraternity to which Mott himself belonged, Will laughedas he said, "Oh, well, don't be too hard with Peter John. He doesn'tknow any better now, but he'll learn. "

"That's what he will, " replied Mott with a very decided shake of hishead. "I thought I'd come over to tell you that the sophomore-freshmenmeet is to come off on Saturday afternoon. "

"Not next Saturday?" exclaimed Will aghast. 

"Yes, that's the very day. "

"They told me it wasn't to be for two weeks yet. "

"All the same it's on Saturday. I thought I'd tell you, though I'm goingto do my best to keep you from winning your numerals. "

Mott rose and departed from the room, and when Foster returned he foundhis room-mate hard at work, with his Greek books spread out on the deskbefore him. 

CHAPTER XII

THE MEET

The fact that the track meet between the two lower classes had beenplaced at an earlier date than that for which it had first beenannounced was a serious disappointment to Will Phelps. His success inthe school athletics had made him quietly hopeful, if not confident, that he might be able to win some laurels in college, and he also wasaware that the gold medal he wore upon his fob had made his ownclassmates expect great things from him. And the changed date nowprevented him from doing any training and he must enter the contestwithout any preparation. 

Reports had come to him that Mott and Ogden, the two fleetest-footedsophomores, had already been working hard, and rumors were also currentthat he himself was to be kidnapped and prevented from entering thegames. Will had given but slight heed to any of these reports, but hehad in his own mind decided that he would begin training at once for thecontest, for if he should by any chance win then he would be the firstmember of his own class to gain the coveted privilege of wearing hisclass numerals upon his cap and sweater. And, not unnaturally, Will waseager to secure the honor. 

As he thought over Mott's words he was half inclined to believe that thesophomore himself had been the cause of the unexpected change in thedate of holding the games, and his feeling of anger and desire to winboth became keener. There was no time, however, afforded in which hemight make preparations for the meet, and he must simply do his bestunder existing circumstances. There was to be no burlesque or "horseplay" in this contest, and the entire college would be on hand andinterested to note the promise of the entering class in a department ofcollege life that appealed strongly to all the students. Even his newdetermination to push his work in his Greek harder than ever he had doneand his feeling of homesickness did not in the day that intervenedbetween the present and the day of the games prevent his interest andexcitement from increasing during the passing hours. 

Saturday afternoon finally arrived, clear and cool, an ideal day for thecontest. When Will stepped forth from the dressing-room, clad in hislight running suit and with his bath robe wrapped around him, as heglanced over the track he could see that a crowd was already assembled. The sophomores were seated in a body in one portion of the "bleachers, "and their noisy shouts or loud class cries rose steadily on the autumnair. Opposite was the freshman class, but its members were still toounfamiliar with their surroundings and with one another to enable themto join in anything like the unison of their rivals. In the grand standwere numbers of the members of the families of the faculty and thetownspeople and visitors, and altogether the scene was one that stronglystirred Will and his room-mate, Foster Bennett, who also was to competein the games. 

Suddenly a loud, derisive shout arose from the sophomores, and Willglanced quickly up to discover its cause. In a moment the cause wasseen, when Peter John Schenck came running across the field toward theplace where Will and Foster were standing beside a few of theirclassmates, who were also waiting for the game to begin. 

The sight of Peter John was one that caused even Will and Foster tosmile, for their classmate was dressed as if he too was about to becomea contestant, and this was something neither of them had expected. Itwas Peter John's garb, however, which had so greatly delighted thebeholders, for it was unlike anything to be seen upon thefield--"fearfully and wonderfully made, " as Mott, who had joined themfor a moment, had expressed it. Evidently it was the result of PeterJohn's own handiwork. His running trousers came to a place about halfwaybetween his knees and ankles before they stopped, and were fashioned ofcoarse bagging or material very similar to it. He wore no running shoes, but a pair of gray woolen socks, plainly "hand made, " provided asubstitute. His "running shirt" was a calico blouse which had at onetime doubtless served him as a garment in which he had done the dailychores upon his father's farm, but, as if to make matters still worse, abroad band of ribbon, the colors of the class, was diagonally fastenedto his blouse in front, and Peter John's fierce shock of bright redhair, uncut since he had entered Winthrop, served to set off the entirepicture he presented. 

"Well, I guess we'll do 'em to-day, Will, " exclaimed Peter John as heapproached the group of which his friend was a member. 

"I guess we will, " remarked Mott soberly. 

"I'm going to do my prettiest, " continued Peter John. 

"If you let anybody once get ahead of you, Schenck, " said Mott, "you'llnever catch him. If he sees you after him he'll run for his life. "

"He'll have to!"

"What are you entered for?" inquired Mott, glancing at his program as hespoke. 

"The half-mile run. "

"Ever do it before?"

"Once or twice. "

"What time did you make?"

"I don't just recollect. "

"Never mind. You'll make a new record to-day. "

"That's what I want to do, " replied Peter John, sublimely unconsciousthat he was being made sport of by the sophomore. 

The conversation was interrupted by the call, "All out for thehundred-yard dash!" and, as Will was to run in the first heat, he drewoff his bath robe and tossing it to Foster, turned at once for thestarting-place. He had already been indulging in a few trials ofstarting, but his feeling of confidence was by no means strong as heglanced at those who were to be his competitors. There were four runnersin his heat, and one of them was Ogden, the sophomore of whosereputation as a "sprinter" Will already was aware. The other two werefreshmen and therefore unknown quantities, but Will's chief interest wasin Ogden. He could see the knots of muscles in his arms and back andlegs, and his own feeling of confidence was in nowise strengthened bythe sight. Certainly Ogden was a muscular fellow, and a competitor asdangerous as he was striking in his appearance. 

The call, "On your marks, " was given, and Will, with the other three, advanced and took his place on the line. Every nerve in his body seemedto be tingling with excitement and his heart was beating furiously. 

"Get set!" called the starter, and then in a moment there followed thesharp report of the pistol and the runners were speeding down thecourse. Will felt that he had secured a good start, and but a few yardshad been covered when he realized that he and Ogden were running almostside by side and had left the other two contestants behind them. Norwere their relative positions changed as they sped on down the trackexcept that the distance between Will and Ogden and the two freshmenbehind them was steadily increased. Will was dimly aware as he drew nearthe line that the entire sophomore body had risen and was noisilycalling to their classmate to increase his speed. There was silence fromthe seats occupied by the freshman class, but Will was hardly mindful ofthe lack of support. Glancing neither to the right nor the left, hecould almost instinctively feel that Ogden was a few inches in advanceof him and all his efforts were centered upon cutting down theintervening distance. 

As the contestants came within the last ten yards of the course, Willgathered himself together for one final burst of speed. His feet seemedscarcely to touch the ground as he darted forward. But Ogden was not tobe outdone, for he too increased the pace at which he was running, andwhen they touched the line that was stretched across the course, thesophomore was still ahead by a few inches and had come in first in theheat, while Will was second. 

Foster was standing near to catch his room-mate, and as he wrapped thebath robe around him, he said: "It's all right, Will; you're in thefinals. "

"First two taken?" gasped Will. 

"Yes. "

"Hold on. Let's hear the time, " said Will, stopping abruptly as theannouncer advanced. 

"Hundred-yards dash, first heat, " called the senior, "Won by number ten. Second, number fifteen. Time, ten and two-fifths seconds. "

"That's good for the heat, Will, " said Foster warmly. 

"I'm not in training, " said Will despondently. 

"The others aren't either, or at least not much. You had Ogden nearlywinded, and when it comes to the finals you'll do him up, " said Fosterencouragingly. 

Will did not reply, for the call for the second heat was now made and hewas intensely interested in watching Mott's performance, for hisreputation in the college was even greater than Ogden's. And if hehimself had been beaten by Ogden, what chance would he have againstMott? The question was not reassuring, but as the five men in the secondheat could now be seen taking their positions on the line, it was forthe moment ignored, as intensely interested he turned to watch the racethat was about to be run. 

In a moment the pistol was fired and the five contestants came speedingdown the course. It was soon seen that Mott was leading, but only by alittle, though he did not appear to be exerting himself strongly. 

"Easy, dead easy!" Will heard a sophomore near him remark, and as hewatched Mott's easy stride he heartily concurred in the opinion. 

The runners were nearing the line now, and as Mott drew near he almoststopped for a moment and glanced smilingly behind him at hiscontestants. Instantly his nearest competitor darted forward and beforethe sophomore could recover himself he had touched the string and wonthe heat, with Mott a close second. Mott, however, appeared to be innowise disconcerted and laughingly received the bantering words of hisclassmates. He laughed again when the time was announced as ten andfour-fifths seconds, and approaching the place where Will and Fosterwere standing, said:

"You did well, freshman. Made better time than I did. "

"I had to, if I kept anywhere near Ogden. "

The other events of the meet were now being run off, and as Peter JohnSchenck took his place on the line for the half-mile run the uproarbecame almost tumultuous, and when the freshman apparently took it allin his most serious manner and bowed gravely to the sophomores, evidently appropriating to himself all the noisy demonstrations ofdelight, the shouts and laughter redoubled. 

In a moment, however, the runners were off and Peter John quicklyadvanced to the first place, followed by a line of five that were wellbunched together. There were many derisive calls and cries and PeterJohn's work seemed to be taken as a joke by all the spectators, who wereloud in their declarations that he was "making a mistake" and would"never be able to maintain his stride. " Around the course sped therunners until at last they were on the home stretch and still Peter Johnwas in advance, his arms working like the fans of a Dutch windmill andhis awkward movements becoming more awkward as the strain of the finalpart of the race came upon him. Still he was in the lead, however, andthe derisive cries were giving place to shouts of approval andencouragement from his own classmates. 

The increasing excitement seemed to provide an additional spur to theawkward freshman, for his speed suddenly increased and he darted acrossthe line far in advance of his rivals who were bunched behind him. Laughter was mingled with the applause that greeted him, and when thecaptain of the college track team advanced and extended his hand incongratulation, the genuineness of the applause that followed wasunquestioned. 

Peter John, highly elated by his success, approached Will and saidglibly: "There, Will, I rather guess that'll add five points to ourscore. "

"I rather guess it will, " laughed his classmate cordially. He was asgreatly surprised as any one that day, but he was too generous tobegrudge any praise to Peter John. 

"Now see that you do as well, " said Peter John, as the call for thefinals in the hundred-yard dash was made. 

Will made no response as he advanced to take his place. Foster hadalready won the running broad jump and was in a fair way to win theshot-put as well. Peter John had been successful too, and to Will itseemed that he must win his race or his disappointment would be almosttoo bitter to bear. 

At the report of the pistol the contestants darted from the line andcame speeding down the track toward the finish, which was near the placewhere the spectators were assembled. Vigorously, lusty, the perfectionphysically of young manhood, the four runners sped on with the swiftnessof the wind, but when they touched the tape it was evident that Mott wasfirst by a small margin and that Ogden was second, being an almostimperceptible distance in advance of Will Phelps, who had finished thirdin the race. 

CHAPTER XIII

WAGNER'S ADVICE

The applause that greeted the winners was sounding but dimly and likesome far-away shout in Will Phelps' ears when he staggered into theoutstretched arms of Hawley, who was waiting to receive his classmate. Mortification, chagrin, disappointment were all mingled in his feelings, and it was all intensified by the fact that both Foster and Peter Johnhad won their "numerals" and were now marked men in the class. Not thathe begrudged either the honors he had won, but his own reputation as asprinter had preceded his coming to Winthrop, and Will knew that greatthings had been expected of him. 

"It was a great race, Phelps, " said Hawley, "and you've added anotherpoint to our score. "

Will could understand the attempt at consolation which his hugeclassmate was making, but it only served to increase the bitterness ofhis own defeat. He smiled, but made no response. He could see Peter Johnstrutting about and receiving the half-bantering congratulations of thestudents, and his heart became still heavier. 

"Never mind, Phelps, you didn't have any chance to train, " said Hawley. "Mott and Ogden have been down on the track every evening for the pastthree weeks. "

"They have?" demanded Will, a ray of light appearing for the moment. 

"Sure. And besides all that they got the date of the 'meet' changedtoo. "

"They beat me, " said Will simply. 

"Everybody expected them to. They all know you're a good runner, Phelps, but they say a freshman never wins. Such a thing hasn't been known foryears. You see, a freshman is all new to it here, and I don't care howgood he is, he can't do himself justice. You ought to hear what Wagner, the captain of the college track team, had to say about you. "

"What did he say?" inquired Will eagerly. 

"He said you had it in you to make one of the best runners in college, and he's going to keep an eye on you for the team too. "

"Did he say that?"

"That's what he did. "

"The two-twenty hasn't been run yet. I believe I'll go in for that. "

"That's the way to talk. "

"Let me see when it comes, " said Will, turning to his program as hespoke. 

"Fifteen minutes yet, " said Hawley. "Come into the dressing room, Phelps, and I'll give you a good rubbing down. "

Will at once accompanied his friend to the dressing room, and when thecall for the two hundred and twenty yards' dash was made, he took hisplace on the line with the other competitors. There were only four, thesame four that had run in the final heat of the hundred yards, thedefeated contestants all having dropped out save one. 

When the pistol was fired and the racers had started, Will was at onceaware that again the victory was not to be his. The lack of trainingand practice, and perhaps also the depression which his previous defeathad produced in his mind contributed to his failure; but whatever thecause, though he exerted himself to the utmost, he found that he wasunable to overtake either Mott or Ogden, who steadily held their placesbefore him. It was true when the race was finished that he was less thana yard behind Mott, who was himself only about a foot in the rear of thefleet-footed Ogden, and that the fourth runner was so far behind Willthat he was receiving the hootings and jibes of the sophomores, butstill the very best that Phelps was able to do was to cross the line asthird. It was true that again he had won a point for the honor of hisclass, but it was first place he had longed to gain, and hisdisappointment was correspondingly keen. 

It was Hawley who again received him in his arms, and once more theyoung giant endeavored to console his defeated classmate, for as suchWill looked upon himself, in spite of the fact that he had come inthird, and therefore had scored a point in each race. But as Hawleyperceived that his friend was in no mood to listen, he wisely refrainedfrom speaking, and both stood near the track watching the contestants inthe various events that were not yet run off. Too proud to acknowledgehis disappointment in his defeat by departing from the field, and yettoo sore in his mind to arouse much enthusiasm, he waited till the gameswere ended and it was known that the sophomores had won by a score ofsixty-four and a half to forty-eight and a half. Then he quietly soughtthe dressing room, and as soon as he had donned his garments went atonce to his own room. 

It was a relief to find that not even Foster was there, and as he seatedhimself in his easy-chair and gazed out at the brilliantly clad hillswith the purple haze that rested over them all, for a time a feeling ofutter and complete depression swept over him. Was this the fulfillmentof the dreams he had cherished of the happiness of his college life?Already warned by Splinter that his work in Greek was so poor that hewas in danger of being dropped from the class, the keen disappointmentof his father apparent though his words had been few, the grief in hishome and the peril to himself were all now visible to the heart-sickyoung freshman. And now to lose in the two track events had added aweight that to Will seemed to be almost crushing. He had pictured tohimself how he would lightly turn away his poor work in the classroom byexplaining that he could not hope to win in everything, and thatathletics had always been his strong point anyway. But now even that wastaken away and his failure was almost equally apparent in both. 

He could see Peter John coming up the walk, receiving thecongratulations of the classmates he met and giving his "pump-handle"handshake to those who were willing to receive it. It was maddening andalmost more than Will thought he could bear. It was a mistake that hehad ever come to college anyway, he bitterly assured himself. He was notwell prepared in spite of the fact that he had worked hard for a part ofhis final year in the preparatory school. Greek? He detested thesubject. Even his father came in for a share of blame, for if he hadnot insisted upon his taking it Will never would have entered Splinter'sroom. He might have taken German under "Dutchy, " or English underProfessor Jones, as many of his classmates were doing, and every onedeclared that the work there was a "snap. "

It was not long before Will Phelps was in a state of mind wherein he wasconvinced that he was being badly treated and had more to contendagainst than any other man in his class. His naturally impulsivedisposition seldom found any middle ground on which he was permitted tostand. His father had one time laughingly declared that the comparativedegree had been entirely left out of Will's make-up and that things wereusually of the superlative. "Worst, " "best, " "poorest, " "finest" wereadjectives most commonly to be found in his vocabulary, and between thetwo extremes a great gulf appeared to be fixed. He had also declaredthat he looked for Will to occupy no middle ground. He would either be apronouncedly successful man or an equally pronounced failure, a verygood man or a man who would be a villain. And Will had laughinglyaccepted the verdict, being well assured that he knew, if it must be oneof the two, which it would of necessity be. All things had gone wellwith him from the time of his earliest recollections. His home had beenone of comfort and even of elegance, any reasonable desire had neverbeen denied, he had always been a leading spirit among the pupils of thehigh school, and that he was too, a young fellow who was graceful in hisappearance, well dressed, and confident of his own position, doubtlessWill Phelps was aware, although he did not give expression to the factin such terms. 

And now the "superlative degree" had certainly displayed itself, Willthought in his wretchedness, only it had manifested itself in theextreme which he never had before believed to be possible with him. Helistened to the shouts and laughter of the students passing along thestreet below and every fresh outburst only served to deepen his ownfeeling of depression. Not any of the enthusiasm was for him. 

He was roused from his bitter reflection by the opening of the door intohis room, but he did not look up, as he was convinced that it was onlyhis room-mate, and Foster understood him so well that he would not talkwhen he saw that he was in no mood for conversation. 

"Hello, Phelps! What's wrong?"

Will hastily sat erect and looked up. His visitor was Wagner, thecaptain of the track team, the one senior of all others for whom Willcherished a feeling of respect that was almost unbounded. He had nevermet the great man before, but he had looked up to him with awe whenWagner had been pointed out to him by admiring students, and he wasaware that the captain's reputation was as great in the college for hismanliness as it was for his success in athletics. Unpretentious, straightforward, without a sign of "cant" or "gush" about him, theinfluence of the young leader had been a mighty force for good in thelife of Winthrop College. And now as Will glanced into the face of thetall, powerful young fellow and realized that it was indeed himselfwhom his visitor was addressing, his feeling of depression instantlygave place to surprise and in the unexpected honor he found it difficultto express himself. 

"Nothing much. I wasn't just looking for any--for you, " he stammered. "Won't you take this chair, Mr. Wagner?" Will pushed the easy-chairtoward his visitor as he spoke and again urged him to be seated. 

"That's all right, Phelps. Keep your seat. I'll just sit here, " repliedWagner, seating himself upon the edge of Will's desk. "How do you feelafter the games?" he inquired. 

"I'm a bit sore outside and worse still inside. "

"What's the trouble?"

"I came in only third. "

"Only third? Where did you expect to come in?"

"Why--why, I was hoping I'd get first in the hundred, " Will managed toreply. 

"You're a modest youth, " laughed Wagner, surveying his long legs andlaughing in such a manner that Will was compelled to join. 

"Well, the fellows rather thought I'd win and that's what makes me feelworse about it. "

"They're only freshmen; they don't know any better, " laughed Wagner. "Don't let that bother you for a minute. I think you did well myself, and besides, the freshmen very seldom win in the sprints. I don't knowthat I ever saw one since I've been in college. "

"Did you win the hurdles when you were a freshman?"

"Oh, I just happened to. 'Twas an accident of some kind, I fancy. Yes, I think the soph who was ahead of me tripped and fell, so I crawled infirst. "

"That will do for you to tell. "

"Perhaps I did win. But that's neither here nor there. It isn't what Icame for. I didn't want to talk about myself but about you. "

Will looked up eagerly but did not speak, though his question was to beseen in the expression of his face. 

"My advice to you is to go to work and try for the track team in thespring. "

"Do you think I can make it?" said Will breathlessly. 

"I don't say that, " laughed Wagner. "That's something to be decidedlater. All I said was that you'd better 'try' for it. You've nothing tolose if you fail and something to win if you succeed. "

"But if I should try and then not make it. "

"Yes, that's a possibility, of course. No man can ever tell about that. But I shouldn't let it break my heart if I didn't make the team thefirst year. Very few do that. All I say is go ahead and try. No man canever tell what's in him till he tests himself, can he?"

"No, I suppose not. "

"Now don't have any nonsense about it, Phelps, and don't misunderstandme. I believe in every man doing his best and then just resting thereand not crying over what he can't ever have. If a man does his best andthen doesn't have the whole world bowing and scraping before him becausehe isn't very high up, that isn't any reason why he should kick. Takewhat you've got, use it, test it, and then if you find you're not a starbut only a candle, why, just shine as a candle and don't go sputteringaround because you can't twinkle like a star. At least that's the way Ilook at it. "

"Perhaps a fellow's father and mother don't look at it that way. "

"Are you having trouble with Splinter?" demanded the senior sharply. 

"A little. Yes, a good deal. I detest the fellow!" said Will bitterly. 

"No wonder you lost the hundred, " responded Wagner with a smile. "Do youknow, Phelps, I had the same experience you're having with him when Iwas a freshman. "

"What did you do?"

"Do? There's only one thing to do and that is to do his work. But Iadvise you to go down to his house and see him and talk it over. "

"He won't want to see me. "

"Yes, he will. He's not half so bad as you think. Try it; I did. "

"He'll think I'm trying to boot-lick. "

"No, he won't. You can run if you have to, can't you?" demanded Wagner. "You've got a good stride, and, like trying for the track team, you'venothing to lose and everything to gain. "

CHAPTER XIV

THE ADVICE FOLLOWED

For a time after the departure of Wagner, Will Phelps sat thinking overthe stirring words of his visitor. His feeling of positivediscouragement, with the natural rebound of his impulsive temperament, had in a measure given place to one of confidence and even of elation. To be recognized by the great captain was an honor of itself, but toreceive a personal visit from him and a warm invitation to try for aplace on the track team was a distinction for which he never had evendared to dream. Even his other pressing problem--his work inGreek--appeared slightly more rosy-hued now, and a sudden determinationseized upon him to do as Wagner had suggested and see Splinter that verynight. 

Accordingly, soon after dinner--the meal at his fraternity house whichhe had dreaded in view of the semi-defeat of the afternoon--he startedtoward the home of his professor of Greek, resolved to talk over theentire situation with him and strive to learn exactly where he stood andwhat his prospects were likely to be. 

As he approached the walk that led from the street back to theprofessor's home he came face to face with Mott and Peter John Schenck. His surprise at meeting them was not greater than that he should findthem together, and the fact to his mind boded little good for hisclassmate. 

"Going in to see Splinter?" inquired Mott. 

"Yes. "

"Better not. "

"Why?"

"Boot-licking isn't in very high favor here at Winthrop. "

Will was glad that the darkness concealed the flush which he knew creptover his face, but his voice was steady as he replied: "That's allright, Mott. I'm not going in to see Splinter because I want to, you maylet your heart rest easy as to that. "

"How long are you going to be in the house?"

"I'm afraid that will not be for me to decide. If I have my way, itwon't be long. "

"Well, good luck to you!" called Mott as he and his companion passed ondown the street. 

Will rang the bell and was at once ushered into the professor's study. The professor himself was seated at his desk with a green shade over hiseyes, and evidently had been at work upon some papers. Will even fanciedthat he could recognize the one which he himself had handed in thepreceding day and his embarrassment increased. 

"Ah, good evening, Mr. Phelps, " said the professor extending his handand partly rising from his seat as he greeted his caller. "Will you beseated?"

"Good evening, professor, " replied the freshman as he took the chairindicated. 

An awkward silence followed which Will somehow found it difficult tobreak in upon. He heartily wished that he had not come, for the realitywas much worse than he had thought. Even the very lines and furrows inthe professor's face seemed to him to be forbidding, and he felt that itwould be well-nigh impossible for him to explain the purpose of hiscoming. 

"Was there something concerning which you desired to consult me?"inquired the professor. The voice seemed to be as impersonal as that ofa phonograph, and every letter in every word was so distinctlypronounced that the effect was almost electric. 

"Yes, sir. "

Again silence intervened. The professor's lips moved slightly as if, asWill afterwards declared, "he was tasting his Greek roots, " but he didnot speak. The freshman shifted his position, toyed with his gloves andat last, unable to endure the suspense any longer, he broke forth:

"Yes, sir, there is, professor. I have not been doing very well in myGreek. "

"Ah. Let me see. " The professor opened a drawer and drew forth a littlenotebook which he consulted for a brief time. "Yes, you are correct. Your work is below the required standard. "

"But what am I to do about it?" demanded Will. 

"Yes, ah, yes. I fancy it will be necessary for you to spend a somewhatlonger period of study in preparation. "

"But _how_ shall I study?"

"Yes. Yes. Ah, yes. Exactly so. So you refer to the method to beemployed in the preparation for the classroom?"

"Yes, sir. That's it. I'm willing enough to work, but I don't know how. "

"Well, I should say that the proper method would be to employ a tutorfor a time. There are several very excellent young gentlemen who areaccustomed to give their services to deserving youth--"

"I don't want them to give it. I'll pay for it!" interrupted Will. 

"I was about to say that these young gentlemen give their services for aconsideration--a proper consideration--of course. "

The professor's thin lips seemed to be reluctant to permit the escape ofa word, so firmly were they pressed together during the intervalsbetween his slowly spoken words. His slight figure, "too thin to cast ashadow, " in the vigorous terms of the young freshman, was irritating inthe extreme, and if Will had followed his own inclinations he would atonce have ended the interview. 

"I knew I could get a tutor, and if it is necessary I'll do it. But Idid not know but that you might be able to make a suggestion to me. Iknow I'm not very well prepared, but if you'll give me a show and tellme a little how to go to work at the detestable stuff I'll do my best. Idon't like it. I wouldn't keep at it a minute if my father was not soanxious for me to keep it up and I'd do anything in the world for him. That's why I'm in the Greek class. "

"You are, I fancy (fawncy was the word in the dialect of the professor)doing better work in the various other departments than in your Greek?"

"Yes, sir. I think so. "

"You are not positive?"

"Yes, sir. I know I'm doing fairly well in my Latin and mathematics. Whythe recitation in Latin never seems to be more than a quarter of anhour, while the Greek seems as if it would never come to an end. Ithink Professor Baxter is the best teacher I ever saw and he doesn'tmake the Latin seem a bit like a dead language. But the Greek seems asif it had never been alive. "

"Ahem-m!" piped up the thin voice of the professor of Greek. 

Will Phelps, however, was in earnest now and his embarrassment was allforgotten. He was expressing his own inward feelings and without anyintention or even thought of how the words would sound he was describinghis own attitude of mind. He certainly had no thought of how his wordswould be received. 

"Ahem-m!" repeated the professor shrilly and shifting a trifle uneasilyin his seat. "I fawncy that a student always does better work in asubject which he enjoys. "

"Yes, but doesn't he enjoy what he can do better work in too? Now Idon't know how to study Greek, can't seem to make anything out of it. Asyou told me one day in the class 'I make Greek of it all. ' Perhaps notexactly the kind of Greek you want, though, " Will added with a smile. 

"Ah, yes. I fawncy a trifle more of work would aid you. "

"Of course! I know it would! And that's what I'm willing to do and whatI want to do, professor. But the trouble is I don't know just how towork. "

"I--I fail to see precisely what you mean. "

"Why, I spend time enough but I don't seem to 'get there'--I mean Idon't seem to accomplish much. My translation's not much good, andeverything is wrong. "

"Perhaps you have an innate deficiency--"

"You mean I'm a fool?" Will laughed good-naturedly, and even theprofessor smiled. 

"Ah, no. By no means, Mr. Phelps, quite the contrary to that, I assureyou. There are some men who are very brilliant students in certainsubjects, but are very indifferent ones in others. For example, Irecollect that some twenty years ago--or to be exact nineteen yearsago--there was a student in my classes who was very brilliant, verybrilliant indeed. His name as I recall it was Wilder. So proficient washe in his Greek that some of the students facetiously called himSocrates, and some still more facetious even termed him Soc. I am sure, Mr. Phelps, you have been in college a sufficient length of time toapprehend the frolicsome nature of some of the students here. "

"I certainly have, " Will remarked with a smile, recalling his owncompulsory collar-button race. 

"I fawncied so. Well, this Mr. Wilder to whom I refer was doingremarkable work, truly remarkable work in Greek, but for some cause hisstanding in mathematics was extremely low, and in other branches he wasnot a brilliant success. "

"What did he do?" inquired Will eager to bring the tedious descriptionto a close, and if possible receive the suggestions for which he hadcome. 

"My recollection is that he finally left college. "

"Indeed!" Will endeavored to be duly impressed by the startling fact, but as he recalled the professor's statement that the brilliant Wilderwas in college something like twenty years before this time, hisbrilliancy in being able to complete the course and now be out from thecollege did not seem to him to indicate any undue precocity on the partof the aforesaid student. 

"Yes, it was so. It has been my pleasure to receive an annual letterfrom him, and I trust you will not think I am unduly immodest when Istate that he acknowledges that all his success in life is due to thework he did here in my own classes in Winthrop. My sole motive inreferring to it is the desire to aid you. "

"You think I may be another Wilder?" inquired Will lightly. 

"Not exactly. That was not the thought that was uppermost. But it mayserve as an incentive to you. "

"What is this Wilder doing now?"

"Ahem-m!" The professor cleared his throat repeatedly before he spoke. "He is engaged in an occupation that brings him into contact with thevery best that has been thought and said, and also into contact withsome of the brightest and keenest intellects of our nation. "

"He must be an editor or a publisher then. "

"Not exactly. Not exactly, Mr. Phelps. He is engaged rather in amercantile way, though with the most scholarly works, I do assure you. "

"Is he a book agent?"

"Ahem-m! Ahem-m! That is an expression I seldom use, Mr. Phelps. It hasbecome a somewhat obnoxious term, though originally it was not so, Ifawncy. I should hardly care to apply that expression as indicative ofMr. Wilder's present occupation. "

"And you think if I try hard I may at last become a book agent too?"

"You have mistaken my implication, " said the professor scowling slightlyas he spoke. "I was striving solely to provide an incentive for you. Youmay recall what Homer, or at least he whom in our current phraseology weare accustomed to call Homer--I shall not now enter into the merits ofthat question of the Homeridæ. As I was about to remark, however, youdoubtless may recollect what Homer in the fifth book of his Iliad, lineforty-ninth, I think it is, has to say. "

"I'm afraid I don't recall it. You see, professor, I had only threebooks of the Iliad before I came to Winthrop. "

"Surely! Surely! Strange that I should have forgotten that. It is apleasure you have in store then, Mr. Phelps. "

"Can you give me any suggestions how to do better work, professor?"inquired Will mildly. 

"My advice to you is to secure Mr. Franklin of the present junior classto tutor you for a time. "

"Thank you. I'll try to see him to-night, " said Will rising andpreparing to depart. 

"That might be wise. I trust you will call upon me again, Mr. Phelps. Ihave enjoyed this call exceedingly. You will not misunderstand me if Isay I had slight knowledge of your classic tastes before, and I am surethat I congratulate you heartily, Mr. Phelps. I do indeed. "

"Thank you, " replied Will respectfully, and he then departed from thehouse. He was divided between a feeling of keen disappointment and adesire to laugh as he walked up the street toward his dormitory. Andthis was the man who was to stimulate his intellectual processes! In histhoughts he contrasted him with his professor in Latin, and the man aswell as the language sank lower and lower in his estimation. And yet hemust meet it. The problem might be solved but could not be evaded. Hewould see Franklin at once, he decided. 

CHAPTER XV

A REVERSED DECISION

In the days that immediately followed, Will Phelps found himself so busythat there was but little time afforded for the pleasures of comradeshipor for the lighter side of college life. Acting upon the one good pointin the advice of his professor of Greek he secured a tutor, and thoughhe found but little pleasure in the study, still he gave himself to itso unreservedly that when a few weeks had elapsed, a new light, dimsomewhat, it was true, and by no means altogether cheering, began toappear upon his pathway. It was so much more difficult to catch up thanto keep up, and perhaps this was the very lesson which Will Phelpsneeded most of all to learn. There was not much time given to recreationnow, and Will acting upon the advice of the instructor in athletics hadabandoned his projected practice in running though his determination totry to secure a place on the track team was as strong as ever. But hehad substituted for the running a line of work in the gymnasium whichtended to develop the muscles in his legs and keep his general bodilycondition in good form. He was informed that success in running wasbased upon nerve force as well as upon muscular power, and that "earlyto bed" was almost as much a requisite here as it was in making a man"healthy and wealthy and wise. " This condition however he found itexceedingly difficult to fulfill, for the additional work he was doingin Greek made a severe draught upon his time as well as upon hisenergies. 

"I hate the stuff!" he declared one night to his room-mate after he hadspent several hours in an almost vain effort to fasten certain rules inhis mind. "You don't catch me taking it after this year. "

"You don't have to look ahead, Will, " suggested Foster kindly. 

"No, the look behind is bad enough. If I had worked in the early part ofthe high-school course as I ought to I'd not be having all this bothernow. "

"And if you work now you won't have the trouble ahead, " laughed Foster. 

"I suppose that's the way of it. "

"Of course it is. A fellow reaps what he sows. "

"I'd rather _rip_ what I sewed, " said Will ruefully. "Do you know, Foster, sometimes I think the game isn't worth the candle. I'd give itall up, even if I had to leave college, if it wasn't for my father. "

"You wouldn't do anything of the kind and you know it, Will Phelps!You're not the fellow to run when the pinch comes. "

"I'd like to, though, " said Will thoughtfully. "My fit in Greek was sopoor I'll never get much of the good from studying it. "

"You'll be all the stronger for not giving up, anyway. "

"That's the only thing that keeps me at it. I'm so busy I don't evenhave time to be homesick. "

"Well, that's one good thing. "

"Perhaps it is, but if I flunk out at the mid-year's--"

"You won't if you only keep it up and keep at it. "

"I'd feel better if I thought I wouldn't. "

"You'll be all right, " said Foster soothingly, for he understood hisfriend so well that he knew he was in one of his periods of mentalreaction, and that what he needed was encouragement more than anythingelse. 

"And just think of it, " continued Will gloomily, "you're about the onlyone of the fellows I ever see nowadays. I don't believe I've seen Hawleyin three weeks, that is to have a word with him. "

"Who has?"

"I don't know. All the fellows, I suppose. "

"Not much! Hawley is working like a Trojan on the football team. Youknow that as well as I do. "

"I suppose that's so. Still I'd like to see the fellow once in a while. "

"He's a good man all right and I've a notion that he's saved Peter Johnfrom more than one scrape because he roomed with him. "

"I haven't seen Peter John either for more than a week. "

"We ought to look him up and keep an eye on him. "

"'Keep an eye on him'? You want to keep both eyes and your hands andyour feet too, for the matter of that. He certainly is the freshestspecimen I ever saw, and the worst of it all is that he doesn't seem toknow that he lacks anything. He's just as confident when he marches upto Wagner and gives him some points in running the track team as he iswhen he's telling you and me how to work up our Greek. And the fellowhas flunked in Greek every time he's been called up for the past tendays. "

"Yes, I know it. That's why I said we ought to look out for him. "

"He's got to learn how to look out for himself. "

"He needs a tutor, though, Will--"

"Same as I do in my Greek? That's not nice of you, Foster. It's badenough to have to work up the stuff without having it rubbed in. Andyet, " said Will quietly, "I suppose I am in the same box with PeterJohn. He doesn't know some things and I don't know others. "

"No one has everything, " said Foster quickly. 

"Startling fact! But we fellows who live in glass houses mustn't throwstones I 'fawncy, ' as my learned instructor would put it. There I amagain, finding fault even with Splinter when I ought to be boning onthis Greek to make up for my own lacks. Here I go!" And Will resolutelyturned to the books which were lying open on his desk. 

The silence that reigned in the room was broken in a few minutes whenHawley opened the door and entered. His coming was greetedenthusiastically, and when he had accepted the invitation to be seated, he said quickly, "I can't stay, fellows. "

"You never can nowadays, Hawley. Since you've been on the team you'veshaken all your old friends. "

"You'd shake too, if you had the captain over you that we have. "

"Is he hard?"

"Hard? He beats every coach we've got. He goes into the game as if therewasn't anything else to think of. "

"It counts though, " responded Will emphatically. "We haven't lost buttwo games so far this season, and they were with ---- and ----. Ofcourse we couldn't expect to win those. "

"Oh, we've done fairly well. But the hardest rub is coming nextSaturday. That's when we're going down to the city to have our game withAlden. There'll be a big crowd out, and the Alden alumni are mightystrong around town there too, and they'll be out in bunches. We've gotto keep up our end, and that's why I've come over to see you fellows. Iwant you both to go next Saturday. "

"Sure!" shouted Will, leaping to his feet. "We'll be on hand. You restyour soul easy about that. "

"How many are going, Hawley?" inquired Foster quietly. 

"So far, about half the college have agreed to go. We'd like to getanother hundred to go along. It will make a big difference to the team. Last year there were six thousand people on the grounds, and it rainedhard too, all the time. This year, if we have a good day, there'll beten thousand on hand anyway. "

"How are the fellows going down?" said Foster. 

"Chartered a special train. "

"What's the fare?"

"About six dollars for the round trip. "

"Come back the same day?"

"Can if you want to, the train is coming back that night after the game. But a good many will stay over till Monday. "

"When do you have to know?"

"You ought to give in your names by to-morrow night. Peter John is goingalong. I think he'll be a good mascot, don't you?" laughed Hawley. 

"I'm sorry Peter John is going, " said Foster thoughtfully. 

"Sorry!" exclaimed Hawley aghast. "Why, man alive, he'll have the timeof his life. "

"That's what I'm afraid of, and besides he ought not to spend themoney. "

"I don't know anything about that, " said Hawley quickly. "But he maymake enough on the game to pay all his expenses. "

"Has he staked money on the game?" said Will. 

"You'll have to ask him, " retorted Hawley somewhat sharply. "We cancount on you two fellows then, can we?"

"That's what you can!" replied Will heartily. 

"I'll think about it and let you know in the morning, " said Foster. AndHawley at once departed from the room. 

"What do you suppose it means that Peter John is going?" was Foster'sfirst question after their visitor had departed. 

"I don't know, but I don't like the look of it, " responded Will. 

"Neither do I. Can we do anything to stop it?"

"No, I'm afraid not. Peter John is getting beyond us. "

Foster shook his head thoughtfully but made no response, and the workwas resumed. For an hour each boy labored at his desk, and then Fosterwas the first to break in upon the silence. 

"Will, " he said, "I think I'll go with you on that trip with the team. "

"I don't think I'll go, " said Will quietly. 

"Not go? Why not?" demanded Foster in astonishment. 

"I've been thinking it over and I've made up my mind that it won't dofor me to break in on the regular program I've mapped out for myself. You see Saturday is the day when I always have a double dose with mytutor, and it won't do for me to spoil it, " and Will Phelps made a wryface as he spoke. 

"But, Will, " protested Foster, "you can make up the work before then andnot lose a bit. "

"Yes, I've thought of that, but I don't think I'll do it. It's a bitterdose I know, but I might as well swallow it first as last. "

"Do you mean it?"

"Don't I act as if I did?"

"All right. I'll not say another word. Maybe it'll be a way out forPeter John. I'd like to fix it for the fellow if I can. "

"I don't just see--" began Will; but he stopped when he perceived thathis room-mate had risen from his seat and was about to depart from theroom. 

On the following day the excitement among the students of Winthropincreased when a mass meeting was held and various leading spirits ofthe college delivered very florid and perfervid addresses in which thestudent-body was urged to support the team and take advantage of the lowrates offered to accompany it and be on hand on the field to cheer it onto victory. Shouts and cheers greeted the speakers, and when the meetingbroke up and the boys were returning to their rooms Mott and Peter Johnjoined Will on his way to Perry Hall. 

"Have the time of your young life on Saturday, Phelps, " said Mottloudly. 

"I'm not going. "

"Why not? All the fellows are. "

"I'd like to, but I've some work I _must_ do, and I can't break in onit. "

"You must be a 'shark' Phelps, " laughed Mott. "I'd like to see the workthat would keep me away. Peter John Schenck and I intend to take it allin, don't we, freshman?" he added, turning to his companion as he spoke. 

"Ye-es, I guess so, " responded that worthy who had been addressed. 

"You'll have a good time, " said Will. "I wish I could go too, but Ican't, and the only thing for me to do is to stand up and not whine overit. "

"You'll be sorry for it, " laughed Mott, as he and Peter John turnedtoward the latter's room. "All we can do will be to try to make up forwhat you're going to lose. "

And Will Phelps did almost feel that he was too strict in his demandsupon himself when the student-body formed in line early Saturday morningand, preceded by a band, started down the street on the way to thestation. His room-mate had said no more to him concerning the trip, butas Will marched by Foster's side he could feel the deep sympathy of hisfriend. His heart almost misgave him. It was not too late even yet togo, for doubtless he could borrow money of some one. Perhaps it was toomuch a mere sentiment to hold himself to his work as he was doing. Andhe detested the work so heartily too. 

Still he held rigidly to his decision, and even when the heavily ladentrain pulled out from the station and the words of the song which wassung came back to him he did not falter, though his heart was heavywithin him. 

 Gaudeamus igitur Juvenes dum sumus Gaudeamus igitur Juvenes dum sumus Post jucundam juventutem Post molestam senectutem Nos habebit humus Nos habebit humus. 

CHAPTER XVI

TELEGRAMS

When Will Phelps returned to the college, the entire place to him seemedto be deserted, and a stillness rested over all that was almostoppressive. Even the few college boys who were to be seen about thegrounds all shared in the prevailing gloom and increased the sense ofloneliness in the heart of the young freshman. When he entered his room, the sight of his room-mate's belongings was almost like that of thepossessions of the dead and Will Phelps was utterly miserable anddejected. 

Work he decided was his only cure and at once he busied himself at histask from which he was aroused in the course of an hour or two by thecoming of the senior who was tutoring him. 

"I'm mighty glad to see you, " said Will impulsively. "I feel as if I wasabout the only one of my kind in the world. "

"You're downhearted over deciding to stay in town, to-day?" replied histutor pleasantly. "Oh, well, never mind. It will be a good tonic for youand when you've passed your mid-year's in Greek, you'll never once thinkof this trip with the team to-day. "

"I'm afraid that's cold comfort just at the present moment. I've justbeen hanging on and that's all there is to it. "

"Sometimes it's the only thing a fellow can do. It may bring a lot ofother good things with it, though. "

"Maybe, " replied Will dubiously. "There's one thing I've learnedthough, and if I ever come to know my Greek as well as I know that, I'llpass all right. "

"What's that?"

"Never to get behind. I'll keep up and not catch up. When I see what afool I made of myself in my 'prep' days, I wonder sometimes that I evergot into college anyway. I never really worked any except in a part ofthe last year. "

"You're working now, " suggested the senior. 

"Yes, I have to. I don't like it though. The descent to Avernus is theeasy trip, if I remember my Virgil correctly. It's the getting backthat's hard. "

"Do you know, I never just believed that. "

"You didn't? Why not? Why, you can see it every day! It's just as easyas sliding down hill. It's dragging the sled back up the hill that makesthe trouble. "

"That isn't quite a fair illustration. If I'm not mistaken, it seems tome that somewhere, sometime, some one said that 'The way of thetransgressor is hard. ' He didn't seem to agree with Virgil's statementsomehow, did he?"

"But that means it's hard afterward. "

"That isn't what it says. I think it means just what it says too. "

"I don't see. "

"Well, to me it's like this. In every fellow there's a good side and abad side. Sort of a Doctor Jekyl and Mr. Hyde in every one of us. Iheard the other day in our laboratory of a man who had taken and graftedone part of the body of an insect on the body of another. He tried itboth on the chrysalis and on an insect too. I understood that he tookthe pupa of a spider and by very careful work grafted upon it the pupaof a fly. Think of what that monstrosity must have been when it passedout from the chrysalis and became a full-fledged living being. One partof it trying to get away from the other. One wanting to fly and theother to hide. One part wanting to feed on flies and the other part inmortal terror of all spiders. "

"Was that really so?" inquired Will deeply interested. 

"I didn't see it myself, but it was told over in the biologicallaboratory and I don't think there was any question about it. It struckme that it was just the way some of us seem to be built, a sort of aspider and fly combination and not the ordinary combination either, whenthe fly is usually inside of the spider and very soon a part of hismajesty. And yet when you've told all that you know, it's a sort ofmonstrosity after all, and that the truth is that a fellow really _is_his best self if he'll only give that part half a chance. That's why Isay the way of the transgressor is hard and not easy. A fellow is goingagainst the grain of his best side. He throws away his best chancesunder protest all the while, and _he_ doesn't want to do it either. No, Phelps, I believe if a fellow goes down hill it's like a man dragging abalky horse. It looks easy but it isn't, and he himself is pullingagainst it all the time. "

"I never thought of it in that way before. "

"Then on the other hand this very kind of work you're doing now is thesort that stirs your blood. I expect that those fellows who live down inthe tropics and about all the work they have to do to feed themselves isto pick a banana off a tree and go through the exertion of peeling it, don't really get half the fun out of life that some of us boys had up onthe hillside farms in Vermont. Why, when we'd have to get up wintermornings, with the weather so cold that we'd have to be all the while onthe lookout that we didn't freeze our ears or noses, and when we'd haveto shovel out the paths through three feet of snow and cut the wood andcarry water to the stock, it did seem at times to be a trifle strenuous;but really I think the boys in Vermont get more fun out of life than thepoor chaps in the tropics do who plow their fields by just jabbing ahole in the ground with their heel, and when they plant, all they haveto do is to just stick a slip in the ground. It's the same way here, Phelps. This sort of thing you're doing is hard, no doubt about that;but it's the sort of thing that really stirs up a live man, after all. "

"I'm afraid I'll be all stirred up if we don't get at this work prettysoon, " laughed Will, who was nevertheless deeply impressed by the wordshe had heard from the prospective valedictorian of the senior class. "Why can't we do it all up this morning?" he inquired eagerly. 

"All?"

"Oh, I mean all we were planning to do to-day. I'd like to go down tothe gym this afternoon and watch the bulletins of the game. I decidednot to go, but if I can get my work off that'll be the next best thing;and besides it'll help to pass the time. It's going to be a long day forme. "

"All right, I'm agreeable, " replied the senior cordially. 

Until the hour of noon was rung out by the clock in the tower, Willlabored hard. The words of his tutor had been inspiring, but he couldnot disguise from himself the fact, however, that he had little love forthe task. It was simply a determination not to be "downed, " as Willexpressed it, that led him on and he was holding on doggedly, resolutely, almost blindly, but still he was holding on. About threeo'clock in the afternoon the few students who were in town assembled atthe telegraph office where messages were to be received from the team atintervals of ten minutes describing the progress of the game. One of theseniors had been selected to read the dispatches and only a few minuteshad elapsed after the assembly had gathered before the senior appeared, coming out of the telegraph office and waving aloft the yellow slip. Acheer greeted his appearance but this was followed by a tense silence ashe read aloud:

"They're off. Great crowd. Winthrop line outweighed ten pounds to a man. Holding like a stone wall. "

"That's the way to talk it!" shouted the reader as he handed thedispatch to the operator, and then began to sing one of the collegesongs, in which he was speedily joined by the noisy group. 

The song was hushed when again the operator appeared and handed anotherslip to the leader. Glancing quickly at it the senior read aloud:

"Ball on Alden's twenty-five yard line. Great run by Thomas. Hawleyplaying star game. "

Hawley, Thomas, and the captain of the team, and then the team itself, were cheered, and once more the group of students gave vent to theirfeelings in a noisy song. It was all stimulating and interesting, andWill Phelps was so keenly alive to all that was occurring, that for thetime even his disappointment in not being able to accompany the team wasforgotten. 

A groan followed the reading of the next dispatch. "Alden's ball on afumble. Steadily forcing Winthrop line back by superior weight. Ball onWinthrop's forty-yard line. "

"That looks bad, " said Will's tutor, who had now joined the assembly andwas standing beside Will Phelps. "We've a quick team, but I'm afraid ofAlden's weight. They've two or three men who ought not to be permittedto play, anyway. "

"Professionals?" inquired Will. 

"Yes, or worse. "

"Have we any on our team?"

"Hardly, " laughed the senior. But Will was thinking of the conversationhe had had with Hawley when they had first entered college, and wassilent. Besides, another dispatch was about to be read and he was eagerto hear. 

"Ball on Winthrop's five-yard line. Hawley injured and out of the game. "

"Too much beef, " muttered the reader disconsolately, and the silence inthe assembly was eloquent of feelings that could not be expressed. 

Less than the regular interval had elapsed when another yellow slip washanded to the reader, and the suspense in the crowd was almost painful. The very silence and the glances that were given were all indicative ofthe fear that now possessed every heart. 

"Alden makes touchdown. No goal, " read the leader. 

"Six nothing! Team's no good this year, anyway!" declared one of thestudents angrily. "Had no business to play Alden, anyway! Ought to havegames with teams in our class. "

"Alden seemed to be in our class last year, or rather she didn't, " saidthe reader quietly. "Remember what the score was?"

"No. What was it?"

"Twenty-four to nothing in our favor. If they win this year it will beonly following out the regulation see-saw that's been going on for sevenyears. Neither college has won its game for two successive years. "

"Alden will win this time all right enough. "

"Perhaps. The game isn't ended yet. You haven't learned the Winthropspirit yet, which is never to give up till the game is played clearthrough to the end. You've got something to learn yet. " The rebukedstudent did not reply, but the expression upon his face betrayed thefact that he was still unconvinced, and that he did indeed have thefirst of all lessons taught at Winthrop yet to learn. 

The score was unchanged at the end of the first half, and the studentsscattered during the period of intermission, assured that no furtherinformation would be received until after the second half of the gamewas begun. The confidence in victory was, however, not so great whenthey assembled once more, though the interest apparently was as keen asat the beginning. For some unaccountable reason the dispatches weredelayed and a much longer interval than usual intervened before thewelcome yellow slip was handed to the announcer. Murmurs ofdisappointment were heard on every side, and it became more evident withevery passing moment that hope had mostly been lost. At last, however, the welcome word was received, and even Will Phelps was so eager to hearthat he crowded forward into the front ranks of the assembly. 

"Alden scores touchdown and goal. Winthrop fighting desperately, butoutweighed and outplayed since Hawley taken out. "

"It's all over but the shouting, " said the sophomore whose gloomy viewshad been so sharply rebuked by the senior. "There isn't any use inhanging around here. Come on, fellows! Let's go where there's somethinga little more cheerful. "

He made as if to depart from the crowd, but as no one followed him, heapparently abandoned his purpose and remained with his fellows. Only twomore dispatches were read, the second of which announced the end of thegame with the score still standing in favor of Alden thirteen tonothing. 

"Rotten!" exclaimed the sophomore angrily. "Just what we might--" Hestopped abruptly as the senior advanced to a place where he could beseen by all and began to harangue the assembly. 

"Now, fellows, " he began, "the best test of our spirit is that we canstand up and take this in the right way. Of course, we wanted the game, and some of us hoped and expected we would have it too. But the otherteam, and doubtless the better one, has won. Next year we'll be readyfor them again, or rather you will, for I sha'n't be here, and the timeto begin to win then is right here and now. But I want to put in a goodword for our team. I haven't a doubt that they did their level best, andif we could see them now, we'd be almost as proud of them as if they hadwon. I know every man put in his best work. And what I propose is thatwe go down to the station to-night and meet them with as hearty a cheeras if they had won the game, for we know they did their best to upholdthe honor of old Winthrop to a man!"

A cheer greeted the senior's words, and at ten o'clock that evening allthe students who were in town assembled at the little station to greetthe returning members of the team. But Will Phelps, when the train cameto a standstill and the boys leaped out upon the platform, speedilyforgot all about the game in the sight which greeted his eyes. 

CHAPTER XVII

PETER JOHN'S DOWNFALL

In the midst of the cheering and shouting that greeted the return of theteam and its supporters, Will Phelps attained a glimpse of the sturdyheroes themselves who had fought the battle of the gridiron. Some ofthem were somewhat battered and he could see that Hawley carried his armin a sling. His classmate's face was pale, but as he was surrounded by acrowd of students, Will found it was impossible to make his way to himand soon gave up the attempt. He was standing somewhat back from thetrain eagerly watching all that was going on about him, but only in ahalf-hearted way joining in the excitement, for the defeat of the teamand his own disappointment in not being able to make the trip hadchilled his enthusiasm. 

Suddenly he caught sight of Foster as he stepped down upon the platformand instantly Will began to push his way forward to greet him. As Fosterstepped down he turned back as if to assist some one, and Will perceivedthat it was Peter John Schenck who was being assisted. But his actionswere strange and his general appearance was woebegone in the extreme. 

"What's the matter with Peter John? Sick?" inquired Will as he pressedforward. 

"Sick? Sick nothing!" retorted Foster in a low voice. "Can't you seewhat ails him? The fool!"

The maudlin expression on Peter John's face, his wabbling steps, thesilly smile with which he greeted Will at once disclosed what hiscondition was and with a feeling of disgust Will turned away. 

"Hold on, Will, " called Peter John tremulously, beginning to cry as hespoke, "don't go backsh on a fellow now. I los' all my money. Sevendollar I put up on the team an' they jis' sold out, " and Peter John'stears increased and he threatened to fall on Foster's shoulder. 

Will had turned back sharply at the words, his disgust and anger soplainly stamped upon his face that even Peter John was moved by it andbegan to sob audibly. "Sold out, Will! Seven dollar all gone! Too bad!Too bad!"

"Get a taxi, Will, " said Foster in a low voice. "If we can get thefellow up to his room without attracting too much attention we may beable to put him in bed. "

As Will turned away, he was rejoiced to notice that his classmate'scondition had apparently not attracted the attention of the crowd, whichwas too much occupied in the excitement of greeting the team to bemindful of other matters. Disgust and anger were so mingled in Will'sfeelings that he was hardly aware of what he was doing, but at last hesucceeded in getting a taxi, and bidding the driver hold it near the endof the platform, he hastened back to the assistance of Foster. 

As he returned he noticed that Mott was now with Peter John, and onlyone glance was required to show that he was in a condition similar tothat of Peter John, though not quite so helpless. 

"Glad t' see you, freshman, " stammered Mott as Will approached. "Greatsport, that fellow, " and he pointed stupidly at Peter John as he spoke. "Put up his monish like li'le man. No squeal from him, no, not a squeal. No, goo' man. Goo' man, freshman. "

"Shall we take him too?" inquired Will of Foster. 

"Yes, if there's room. "

"I think there will be. "

"He can make his way all right, I think, but you'll have to help me withPeter John. Get hold of his other arm. That's right, " he added as Willgrasped his maudlin classmate by the left arm, while Foster supportedhim by the right. 

"Come on, Mott, if you want to ride up, " said Will sharply to thesophomore. 

"That ish good o' you, freshman, " drawled Mott. "Broke, dead broke! Doash much for you some day. You get broke some daysh, I s'pose. "

"Shut up, Mott, " said Foster savagely. 

"A'-a' right. Just's you say, not's I care. "

A few in the assemblage noted the condition of the boys and laughedthoughtlessly, but neither Will nor his room-mate was in a frame of mindto respond. Disgusted, angry, mortified beyond expression, theynevertheless assisted the boys to the seats in the taxi which Will hadsecured, and quickly doing as he was bidden, the driver started rapidlyup the street. Peter John had fallen heavily against Will's shoulder andwas instantly asleep, but Mott was not to be so easily disposed of. Peering out from the window at the crowds that were moving up the streetand by which the taxi was passing, he emitted three or four wild whoopsand then began to sing:

 "We're coming, we're coming, our brave little band, On the right side of temperance we always do stand; We don't use tobacco, for this we do think, That those who do use it most always do drink. "

"Mott, if you don't keep quiet I'll throw you out, " exclaimed Willmortified as he perceived that the passing crowd was turning about todiscover what the noisy commotion meant. 

"A'-a' right, " responded Mott in a shout that could have been heard faraway. "I'll be as sthill as an intensified hippopotamus! Not a sound ofmy voice shall awake the echoes of these purple hills. I'll not be theone to arouse the slumbers of this peaceful vale. "

"Driver, " interrupted Will sharply, "stop your cab. "

"No, no, Will, you'll only make a bad matter worse. Let's keep on and dothe best we can. It'll only call attention to ourselves, " said Fosterhastily. 

"Thatsh sho, " assented Mott noisily, swaying in his seat as he spoke. "Keep on, driver. Go straight up to prexy's house; I've got somethingp'ticular to shay t' him. Shame, way the team sold out t'-day! Disgraceto old Winthrop! Have a good mind to leave the college myself an' go toAlden; they're men there! They know how to stan' up an' take theirmed'cine. Great place, Alden! Guess they'll be shorry here when theyshee me with a great big A on my sweater!"

"Mott, keep still, " exclaimed Foster. 

"Keep still yerself, freshman. Don't talk t' me. "

There was nothing to be done except to endure it all in silence or putthe noisy student out of the taxi. Poor Will felt that the people theywere passing looked upon all four of the occupants of the cab as if theywere all in the same disgraceful condition. His eyes blazed and hischeeks were crimson. To him it seemed as if the cab was scarcely movingon its way to Leland Hall. The way was interminable, the sufferingalmost too great to be endured. 

At last, however, the driver stopped before the dormitory where Mott hadhis room and Foster said, "Will, I'll look after this fellow if you'llattend to Peter John. "

"Nobody--no freshman in p'ticular--ish going to help me!" exclaimed Mottnoisily. "I can walk a chalk line, I can. Keep your eyes on me andyou'll see how it's done. "

"All right. Get out, then, " said Foster hastily. 

Mott lurched out of the cab, and the driver, at Foster's word, at oncestarted on and neither of the boys glanced behind to see how it faredwith the intoxicated sophomore. They were eager now to dispose of theirclassmate, and as soon as the taxi halted in front of Leland Hall theytried to arouse the slumbering freshman. At last, by dint of theirunited efforts, they succeeded in lifting him to the ground, and thenthey somehow got him up the stairway and soon had him in his bed. Whentheir labors were ended Will exclaimed, "It must be midnight. Surely thepeople couldn't see who we were except when the cab passed the streetlights, but I'm afraid some of them knew then. "

"That isn't so bad. I don't care half so much about their seeing as I doabout something else. "

"What's that?"

"What they saw. Poor fool!" he added bitterly as he turned and glancedat the bed whereon Peter John was lying and noisily sleeping. "I did mybest to hold him back, but he would go on with Mott. "

"Do you think he lost his money too?"

"Haven't a doubt of it. "

"And he didn't have very much to lose. "

"It was all he had. It would have been the same if it had been seventhousand instead of just plain seven. He was so set up by the attentionsof Mott that he was an easy mark. I never saw anything like it. "

"Well, all I can say is that I hope I sha'n't again, but probably Ishall if he stays in college, " said Will bitterly. 

"It's in him, that's about all one can say, " said Foster. "If it hadn'tbeen here it would have been somewhere else. And yet they say that acollege is a dangerous place for a young fellow to be in. "

"I don't believe it. "

"No more do I. There are all kinds here the same as there are prettymuch everywhere, and all there is of it is that a fellow has a littlemore freedom to follow out just what he wants to do. "

"Come on, " suggested Will, starting toward the door. "We can't doanything more for Peter John. He'll probably be around to see usto-morrow. "

As the boys approached the doorway they met Hawley and at his urgentrequest turned back into the room with him. The big freshman glanced athis sleeping room-mate and then laughed as he said, "Too young. Oughtnot to have left his mother yet. " As neither of the boys replied, Hawleycontinued, "He'll have to quit that or he'll queer himself in thecollege. I don't know that he can do that any more successfully than hehas done already though, " he added. 

Will was irritated that Hawley should take the matter in such a lightway and said half-angrily, "Do you suppose he'll be hauled up before thefaculty?"

"Not unless they hear of it, " laughed Hawley, "and I don't believe theywill. "

"Tell us about the game, " interrupted Foster. 

"My story is short and not very sweet, " retorted Hawley grimly, glancingat his arm as he spoke. 

"How did that happen?"

"Nobody knows. It's done and that's all there is to it. I'm out of thegame for the rest of this season. "

"That's too bad. Did Alden really have such a tremendous team?"

"Look at the score. You know what that was, don't you?"

"Yes, I heard. Come on, Will. We'd better be in bed. We'll get Hawley totell us all about the game some other time. Come on. "

The two freshmen at once departed, but when they were in their own roomit was not the lost game which was uppermost in their minds andconversation, but the fall of Peter John. And when at last they soughttheir beds it was with the conviction that Peter John himself would seekthem out within a day or two and try to explain how it was that hisdownfall had occurred. This, they thought, would give them theopportunity they desired, and if the faculty did not discover the matterand take action of their own then they might be able to say or dosomething to recall Peter John to himself. 

On the following day, however, their classmate did not appear, and inthe days that followed he did not once come to their room. Mott they hadseen, but he had only laughed lightly when he met them and made noreference to the ride he had taken in their taxi. 

"I don't believe Peter John knows that we know anything about whathappened on his trip, " said Foster thoughtfully one day. 

"What makes him keep away from us all the time, then?"

"That's so. Probably his conscience isn't in the best of condition. Youdon't suppose he's waiting for us to make the first move, do you?"

"I don't know. "

"I hate to leave the fellow to himself, " said Foster. "He'll go to thedogs as sure as you're born if he is. "

"If he isn't there already. "

"Well, if he's there we must help to get him out. "

"You're the one to do it, Foster. You aren't working up your Greek. "

Will had been working with even greater intensity than before and wasbeginning to see the results of his labors. With his disposition therewas no comparative degree. Everything was at one extreme or the otherand now he was giving himself but little rest and even Peter John'sdisgrace was not so keenly felt by him as at the time when it hadoccurred. 

"I think I'll have to do something, " assented Foster, "or at least tryto. "

But on the following day an excitement broke out among the students atWinthrop that speedily and completely banished from the minds of Willand Foster even their well-intended efforts to aid their weak andmisguided classmate. 

CHAPTER XVIII

AN ALARMING REPORT

The excitement first came to Will Phelps when one night he was returningto his room from his dinner in the fraternity house. The house, togetherwith four or five other similar houses, was situated in the same streetwith the dormitory, but was distant a walk of seven or eight minutes, and there was usually a crowd of the college boys to be seen on thevillage street three times a day when they passed to or from theirboarding places. 

On this particular evening Will chanced to be alone, and as he went onhe perceived Mott approaching. He had had but little to say to thefellow since the escapade, and now as he recognized the sophomore hisfeeling of anger or disgust arose once more, and he was inclined to passhim with only a light nod of recognition. 

But Mott was not to be so lightly turned aside or ignored, and as he sawWill he stopped, and his manner at once betrayed the excitement underwhich he was laboring. 

"Have you heard the news, Phelps?" he demanded. 

"I haven't heard anything, " replied Will coldly. 

"You haven't? Well, you ought to. It's all over college now. "

"What's all over college?"

"Why, the report of the typhoid. "

"What?" demanded Will, instantly aroused. 

"I mean what I say. And there are all sorts of reports about what's tobe done. Some say the faculty have decided to shut up shop for a fewweeks, and some say they've sent for experts, and I don't know whatall. "

"Who are the fellows that are down with it?"

"Schenck--"

"Peter John?" demanded Will sharply. 

"Yes, and there are seven others. He's the only freshman; there are twosophs, two juniors, and one senior. Wagner is the senior. "

"Where are they?"

"They're all in the infirmary, and the whole shop has been quarantined. "

"When was it found out?"

"Only to-day, this afternoon, I think. You see all eight have been underthe weather for a while, and the doctor here thought it was first onething that ailed them and then another. Last night or this morning theyhad a consultation, and decided that every one of the eight had typhoidfever. It's a great go, isn't it?"

"And you say Peter John is one?"

"Sure. "

"Is he in the infirmary?"

"Yes, every one of them is there. "

"Is he very much sick?"

"Can't tell yet, but he's sick enough. "

"Can anybody see him?" inquired Will thoughtfully. 

"No. There isn't any one allowed in the building except the nurses, doctors, and the families of the fellows, that is, when they come. Iunderstand that word has been sent to all the families, and nurses havealready been engaged, and that some of them are on the ground now. "

"It's terrible!" said Will with a shudder. 

"I know what I'm going to do, " said Mott glibly. 

"What's that?"

"I'm going home. Of course, the governor won't believe me at first whenI tell him why I've returned to the ancestral abode, but you may resteasy when he sees it in the papers, then he'll believe it all rightenough. Fine to have your daddy believe a lying newspaper before hetakes the word of his own offspring, isn't it?"

"May not be all his fault. "

"Yes, it is. I'd have been as decent a fellow as you or any fellow incollege if I'd been treated halfway decently. But I wasn't. "

Will had his own ideas as to that, but he did not express them, for thefull sense of the calamity of the college was now strongly upon him. Even the shadows of the great hills seemed to him to be more sombre thanusual, and in whichever direction he looked there was an outer gloomcorresponding to the one within. In the first shock of the report anameless fear swept over him, and already he was positive that in hisown case he could discover certain symptoms that were the forerunners ofthe dreaded disease. He hastily bade Mott good-night and ran all the wayback to his room. 

Foster was already there, and at once he exclaimed:

"Foster, have you heard about it?"

"The typhoid?"

"Yes. They say Peter John and Wagner and six others are down with it. "

"It's true. "

"What's going to be done?"

"You mean what the college is going to do or what we're to do?"

"Yes, that's it. Both. "

"I've telephoned home, " said Foster quietly. 

"You have?"

"Yes. I have just come back from the office. "

"Did you telephone my father?"

"No. I telephoned my father and told him to ring up your house. "

"And did he?"

"Of course he did. "

"Did you hear anything--I mean--"

"Now, look here, Will, " said Foster quietly. "Don't get rattled. I knowit's bad, but there isn't any use in losing your head over it. I've beendown to see the dean and have talked it over with him. "

"What did he have to say?"

"He said the report was true and the eight fellows were all down withthe typhoid, and that every one of them had been taken to theinfirmary. "

"What else?" demanded Will, his excitement increasing in spite of hiseffort to be calm. 

"That's what I'm trying to tell you, if you'll give me half a chance. Hesaid the president had sent for the best experts in the country, andthat everything that it was possible to do would be done. He said too, that they would deal absolutely squarely with the boys, and if it wasdiscovered that there was the least danger of it spreading they wouldtell us, and if necessary they'd close for a while till the whole thinghad been ferreted out. "

"That's square. "

"Of course it is. "

"What are you going to do, Foster?"

"Nothing, that is, for a day or two anyway. I've told my father, and ifhe thinks I'd better come home he'll say so. "

"But he may not know. "

"He will in a day or two. "

"What are you going to do now?"

"Study my Greek. "

"I ought to, but I'm going out for a little while. I've got to cool offa bit before I can settle down to work. "

"Don't be gone long. You'll only see the fellows and get stirred up allthe more. I'd drop it and go to 'boning. ' It's the best cure. "

"It is for a fellow like you, Foster. I can't do it yet. I've got to getoutdoors till I can get my breath again. "

Seizing his cap Will went out into the night. He passed by Leland Halland glancing up discovered that there was a light in Peter John's room. Instantly he entered the building and bounding up the stairway knockedon his classmate's door, and in response to the invitation entered andfound Hawley within and alone. 

"Hello, Hawley. What's the news about Peter John?"

"Oh, he's got it. Temperature a hundred and four and a half and all thatsort of thing. "

"Any idea where or how he got it?"

"Not the least. "

"Have you seen him?"

"Since he went to the infirmary? Yes, once; but I sha'n't see him againtill he comes out well or--"

"Is he the worst?"

"No. Wagner seems to be the hardest hit, but they told me you couldn'ttell very much about it yet. Have to wait a few days anyway. "

"Mott says he is going home. "

"Yes, there probably will be a lot of the fellows leaving by to-morrow. "

"Are you afraid?"

"Some. "

"Going to leave?"

"I'm going to wait a day or two and see what turns up before I decidejust what I shall do. "

On his way back to his room Will fell in with several others of hisclassmates, and the exciting conversation was repeated in each caseuntil at last when he joined Foster, whom he found still poring over hislesson in Greek for the morrow, his feelings were so overwrought that hewas almost beside himself. 

"Everybody's going to leave, Foster, " he declared. 

"Not quite, for I'm not going yet myself. "

"But--" Will ceased abruptly as he perceived that a messenger boy wasstanding in front of his door. Quickly seizing the envelope he perceivedthat it was directed to himself and instantly tearing it open he read:

"If new cases develop within three days come home. Otherwise remain. Wire me daily. " The message was signed by his father. 

"That settles it!" exclaimed Will, "I'm going to bed. Splinter will beeasy on us to-morrow anyway. "

Foster smiled as he shook his head and continued his own work, but hisroom-mate was not aware of either action. 

In chapel on the following morning the president of the collegereiterated the statement which the dean already had made to Foster, andafter trying to show the students that a panic was even more to befeared than the fever, and promising to keep them fully and franklyinformed as to the exact status of affairs, he dismissed them to theirrecitations, which it was understood were to be continued withoutinterruption, at least for the present. 

In his Greek that day Will failed miserably and completely, and hisanger at Splinter was intensified when the professor near the close ofthe recitation said:

"It is quite needless, I fawncy, for me to emphasize, young gentlemen, the necessity there is at the present time for you all to adopt theutmost care in all matters pertaining especially to your health. I referto you individually as well as collectively. My advice to you is to useonly mineral water--I refer obviously to the water you drink--and itmight be well to avoid the undue use of milk--"

A shout of laughter interrupted the professor which caused his face toflush with anger and he arose abruptly from his seat, the signal thatthe class was dismissed. 

As Will, who was among the last to pass out, came near the desk theprofessor said to him, "Mr. Phelps, I should be pleased if you wouldremain for a brief time. I should like exceedingly to have a word withyou. "

Accordingly, Will stood by the desk till all the class had passed out, and then the professor said, "Ah, Mr. Phelps, would you kindly inform mewhat your opinion is as to the cause of the students receiving myremarks a few minutes ago with such an outburst of laughter? I assureyou I had not the least intention to say anything that should evenappear to be liable to excite the mirth of the young gentlemen. I do notknow that I was ever more serious in my entire life. "

"I think, professor, it was your reference to milk. "

"Why should I not refer to it? In times of fear, when typhoid feveris--is--ah, at least somewhat feared, it is wise to be extremelycautious, and I have it on the authority of men of the highestreputation that milk is a medium through which the germs of the diseasetransmit themselves most readily. "

"Yes, but you know, professor, the college is supposed to think thefreshmen feed on milk. That's supposed to be their diet. "

"Ah, yes, " replied the professor, smiling in a manner that proclaimedhis entire inability to perceive the point. "That must be the point ofthe joke. Ah, yes. I see it distinctly now. It is very good! It is verygood, indeed!"

"Professor, can you tell me my marks? How am I doing in my Greeklately?"

"I am not supposed to reply to such a question from any of the younggentlemen, but I fawncy in a general way I may be able to respond toyour query. Ah, yes, " he added, glancing at the page in the little bookbefore him wherein Will's record was contained, "there is animprovement, not great, it is true, but still an improvement; and ifyour work continues it will bring you almost up to the mark required. "

"Almost?" exclaimed Will aghast. "You don't mean to say, do you, Mr. Splinter--"

"Mr. _who?_" demanded the professor, instantly rising and his faceflushing again with anger. 

CHAPTER XIX

A RARE INTERVIEW

Instantly Will Phelps was overwhelmed with confusion. His face flushedcrimson and his knees shook under the excitement which quickly seizedupon him. The opprobrious title by which the Greek professor was knownamong the students and by which he was commonly spoken of by them hadslipped from his tongue almost unconsciously. He stood staring stupidlyinto the professor's face, while visions of expulsion and futuredifficulty flashed into his troubled mind. 

"I beg your pardon, professor, " he managed to ejaculate at last. "I didnot mean to say that. The word slipped out before I knew it. I am verysorry for it, for I certainly did not intend to be disrespectful in anyway. "

"You insulted me!" exclaimed the professor in a rage that under othercircumstances would have seemed almost ludicrous to Will. It was likethe anger of an infuriated canary bird or of some little child. 

"Then I want to apologize, " said Will quietly. "As I said, I certainlydid not intend to do anything of the kind. "

"But you did, " persisted the outraged teacher. "You most assuredly did. "

"Can't you believe me when I say it was not intentional?"

"That does not excuse it, but I fawncy the tendency among the younggentlemen of the college is to bestow appellations upon the variousmembers of the faculty that are not warranted. "

"I have heard some of them spoken of in that way, but I don't think thefellows meant either to be disrespectful or unkind, " said Will eagerly. 

"No, I fawncy it may in part be due to the thoughtlessness of youth andI would not be unduly harsh with you after your ample apology. Then youhave been accustomed to hear me myself referred to as Splinter, haveyou?"

"I--yes--that is--" stammered Will. 

"Precisely. Now what in your opinion is the basis upon which thestudents have added such a derisive epithet to my name?"

Will was silent, though in spite of his efforts the expression of hisface betrayed somewhat the feeling of blank amazement which possessedhim. 

"I fawncy I can trace its derivation, " said the professor simply. "Doubtless when I first became a member of the faculty the appellation, or, let me see, is it an appellation or a cognomen, as you commonly haveheard it?"

"Yes, sir, " Will managed to respond. 

"It is, then, as I fawncied, and doubtless was bestowed upon me asindicative of my lack of avoirdupois. And it was not entirely unnaturalthat they should do so, for at the time when I came to Winthrop I wasvery slight, very slight indeed. The appellation, or cognomen, waswithout doubt given in recognition of that fact, a custom not unknown, among the classical nations and one prevalent among the Hebrews and evenamong the Indians of America. The history of names would provide anexceedingly interesting field of study for you, Mr. Phelps. "

Will bowed but did not speak, for he was afraid to interrupt or todivert the childlike man from the channel in which his thoughts appearedto be running. 

"Such a name once given, " resumed the professor, "would doubtless clingto one long after physical changes had been made that would no longerafford an accurate basis for the nomenclature. But I was very slight, very slight indeed, Mr. Phelps, when I first came here some seventeenyears ago, or, to be exact, seventeen years and four months, that is, four months lacking a few days. Why, I believe I weighed only onehundred and seventeen pounds at the time. "

Will strove to be duly impressed by the fact, but as he looked at theman who was somewhat above six feet in height and whose body did notgive many tokens of having increased materially in breadth or thicknesssince the time to which the professor referred, he found it extremelydifficult to repress the smile that rose to his lips. 

"Yes, " resumed the professor quickly, "I have increased in weight sincethat time but the appellation still clings and doubtless will as long asI remain in Winthrop. "

"How much do you weigh now, professor?" The moment Will asked thequestion he regretted it, but the temptation was too strong to beresisted. 

"I cannot say exactly, " said the professor in some confusion, "but myweight has very materially increased. If I recall aright, the last timewhen I was weighed I had added two and three-quarters pounds. It istrue it was in the winter and doubtless heavier clothing may haveslightly modified the result. But still I can safely affirm that I ammuch heavier than I was at the time when I joined the Winthrop faculty. "

"Do you find that you feel better now that you are more corpulent? Ihave heard it said that addition to the body is subtraction from thebrain. Do you think that is so, professor?"

"It is true, most assuredly. All classifical literature confirms thestatement you have just made. "

"Then you don't believe in athletics, do you, professor?"

"Assuredly not. Most assuredly not. "

"But didn't the ancient Greeks have their racecourses? Didn't theybelieve in running and jumping and boxing and I don't know what all?"

"That is true, but the times were very different then. They had not inthe least lost the sense of the poetry of life. They were not so crasslyor grossly materialistic as the present age undoubtedly is. Every grovewas peopled with divinities, every mountain was the abode of the unseen. Why, Mr. Phelps, the Greeks were the only people that ever lived thatlooked upon mountains as anything but blots or defects. "

"Is that so?" inquired Will in surprise. 

"It certainly is. It is true that since the days of the poet Gray therehas been a tendency among English-speaking people to affect a venerationfor the mountains, but it is, I fawncy, only a faint echo of the oldGreek conception and is a purely superficial product of an extremelysuperficial age and people. "

"Didn't the Hebrews have a feeling like the one you tell of? Isn'tthere a psalm that begins 'I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, fromwhence cometh my help'? Didn't they describe the high hills that wereround about Jerusalem?"

"Ah, yes. That is true, " assented the professor in some confusion. "Ihad not thought of it in that light precisely. You have given me a newinsight to-day, Mr. Phelps. I shall at once go over my data again. I amgrateful to you for acceding to my request to remain to-day. "

"But, professor, " persisted Will, "what about my work in Greek? I've hada tutor ever since you told me to get one and I've been working hardtoo. Today I didn't do very well, but I was so excited about the fever, for Peter John--I mean Schenck--is one of the fellows to come down withit, you know, and we've been telephoning and telegraphing home--"

"Ah, yes. But you heard my remarks to-day concerning the necessity ofincreased work in Greek as a preventive, did you not?"

"I did. But, professor, I'm willing to work. If I'm to be shut out ofthe exam--I mean the examination--as you seem to think I will, anyway, Idon't see any use in my trying any more. "

The expression on the professor's face became instantly harder as hesaid, "I fawncy the effort to curry favor with the various members ofthe faculty is not very popular with the student body. "

"Do you think I'm trying to 'boot-lick'?" demanded Will quickly. 

"I look upon that term as somewhat objectionable, but I fawncy in thevernacular of college life it is one that is quite expressive. "

"I'm not trying to boot-lick you or any other professor!" retorted Will, now feeling angry and insulted as well. "I didn't stay here to-daybecause I wanted to. You yourself asked me to do it. And I asked you aperfectly fair question. I knew I hadn't been doing very well, but afterI saw you I've been trying, honestly trying, to do better. And all theencouragement you give me is to say that if I work harder I may almostcome up to the passing mark. "

"Pardon me, Mr. Phelps, but you are the one to change your record, notI. All I do is merely to jot down what you have been doing. I do not dothe work--I merely record it. "

For a moment Will Phelps was almost speechless with anger. He feltoutraged and insulted in every fibre of his being. He hastily bade theprofessor good-morning, and, seizing his cap, rushed for his room, agreat fear being upon him that unless he instantly departed he would sayor do something for which he would have a lifelong regret. 

As he burst into his room he found Foster already there, and, flinginghis books savagely across the room, Will seated himself in hiseasy-chair and glared at his room-mate. 

"Why? What's wrong? What's happened, Will?" demanded Foster, inastonishment. 

"Oh, I've just had another delightful interview with old Splinter. He'sthe worst I ever struck yet!"

"Did you strike him, Will?" inquired Foster, a smile of amusementappearing on his face. 

"No, but I'd like to! His soul would get lost in the eye of a needle!He's the smallest specimen I have ever run up against. He may knowGreek, but he doesn't know anything else. I never in all my life saw--"

"Tell me about it, Will, " interrupted Foster. 

Thus bidden, Will related the story of his interview with his professorof Greek. When Foster laughed as he told of Splinter's description ofhis marvelously increased corpulence, Will did not join, for theludicrous side now was all swallowed up in his anger. And when hisroom-mate scowled as he heard of the professor's insinuation that theyoung freshman was trying to "boot-lick, " Will's anger broke forthafresh. "What's the use in my trying, I'd like to know?" he demanded. "I've never tried harder in my life than I have for the last three orfour weeks. And what does old Splinter have to say about it? 'Oh, I'mdoing better and if I keep on I'll _almost_ come up to the passingmark!' I tell you, it isn't fair! It isn't right! He's just determinedto put me out!"

"Perhaps he thinks he's bound to stick to the marks he's given youbefore. "

"Yes, that's it. But think of it, Foster. Here I am doing better andputting in my best work. And the old fellow acknowledges it too, for hesays so himself. But what does it all amount to? He doesn't give me anycredit for what I've been doing lately. No, he's just tied up to themarks I got at the beginning of the year. What fairness is there inthat, I'd like to know? That's the way they do in State's prison, but Ididn't suppose old Winthrop was built exactly on that plan. I thoughtthe great point here was to wake a man up and inspire him to try to dobetter and all that sort of thing. And I _am_ doing better, and I knowit, and so does he, but his soul is so dried up and withered that hecan't think of anything but ancient history. He hasn't the least idea ofwhat's going on here to-day. I'll bet the old fellow, when he has thetoothache, groans in dactylic hexameters and calls for his breakfast inthe Ionic dialect. Bah! What's all the stuff good for anyway? I haven'tany reason for trying any more. "

"Yes, you have. "

"I have? Well, what is it?"

"Your father, if nothing else. "

Will instantly became silent, for Foster's words only seemed to call upbefore him the vision of his father's face. He was the best man that hadever lived, Will declared to himself, and his conviction had beenstrengthened as he had seen the relations between many of his collegemates and their fathers. How he would be grieved over it all. And yetWill knew that never an unkind word would be spoken. It was almost morethan he could bear, he thought, and his eyes were glistening when hearose from his seat to respond to a knock on the door. As he opened ithe saw standing before him his own father and the father of Peter JohnSchenck, and with a yell of delight he grasped his father's outstretchedhand and pulled him hastily into the room. 

CHAPTER XX

A CRISIS

In response to Will's eager questions, Mr. Phelps explained that he hadcome to Winthrop to satisfy himself as to the exact status as to thefever that had broken out. Before he had come up to Will's room he hadconsulted the college officials and now felt that he was in a positionto decide calmly what must be done by his son. 

"And what's the verdict?" inquired Will. 

"It will not be necessary for you to return. I think everything is beingdone that ought to be and though we shall be anxious, still I am notunduly alarmed. I have confidence in you, Will, and I am sure you willnot be careless in a time like this. The president informs me that therehave not been any new cases since the first outbreak, and he is of theopinion that all these cases were due to one cause and that was foundoutside of the village. "

"Then you don't want me to go home with you?" inquired Will quizzically. 

"What I might 'want' and what is best are two different matters, " saidhis father with a smile, "Just at present what I want and what you needhappen to be one and the same thing. "

"What's that?"

"Your Greek. "

Will's face clouded and then unmindful of the others who were in theroom he told his father of his recent interview with his professor ofGreek. The smile of amusement on the face of Mr. Phelps when Will begansoon gave way to an expression of deep concern. To Will, who understoodhim so thoroughly, it was evident that his father was angry as well asdisappointed, and for a moment there was a feeling of exultation in hisown heart. Now something would be done, he felt confident, and theinjustice under which he was laboring and suffering would be done away. 

"Your other work is all right, Will?" inquired his father after a briefsilence. 

"Oh, yes! Fine! If old Splinter was only half the man that ProfessorSinclair is, there wouldn't be a bit of trouble. Why the recitation inLatin never seems to be more than fifteen minutes long. But theGreek--bah! The hour is like a week of Sundays!"

"Still, Will, there is only one way out of it for you. "

"I suppose so, " responded Will, his heart sinking as he spoke. 

"Yes, it must be faced. I know it's hard, but you can't get around it, Will, and I'm sure you don't want to run from it. As I told you, itisn't as if your Greek professor was the only one of his kind you willmeet in life, for his name is legion and you will find him everywhere. The only thing for you to do is to keep on with your tutor and proveyourself to be the master. If you do that, the experience, hard as itis, may prove to be one of the best that could come to you. "

Will was silent for a moment before he spoke, and then he saidimpulsively, "Well, pop, I suppose you are right. I'll do my best. "

"Of course you will, " responded his father quietly, though his eyeswere shining. "It isn't so hard for you as it is for Mr. Schenck. "

"Is Peter John worse?" inquired Will quickly. 

"Yes. "

"Isn't there something we can do?" said Will eagerly. 

"No, nothing, " said Mr. Schenck. "My boy is very sick, but all we can dois to wait. He is having good care. The only comfort I have is what theytell me about him and what he has been doing since he came to college. "

Both boys looked up quickly, but neither spoke and Mr. Schenckcontinued. "Yes, there's a young man I have met since I've been here whohas told me many things about my boy that comfort me now very much. "

"Was it Mott?" interrupted Will. 

"Yes, that was his name. You know him too, I see. He seems to be a veryfine young man. He told me that Peter was one of the leaders in hisclass, and that everybody in the college knew him. He said too, that hehad won his numerals--though I don't just understand what that means. "

"It means that he has the right to wear the number of his class on hiscap or sweater, " said Will. "That's more than I've won. " He had not theheart to undeceive the unhappy man, though both he and Foster were awarethat Mott had been overstating the facts in his desire to comfort PeterJohn's father. 

"Well, I hope he'll get well, " said Mr. Schenck with a heavy sigh, "though it does seem as if such things always happened to the brightestboys. I'm going to stay here for a few days till I know he's betteror--" The sentence was not completed and for a time there was a tensesilence in the room. 

At last the men departed, Mr. Schenck to go to his son's room where hewas to sleep while he remained in Winthrop, and Mr. Phelps to thestation where he was to take the train for his home. Will accompaniedhis father, but the subject that was uppermost in the mind of each wasnot referred to for there are times when silence is golden. 

In the days that followed, Will Phelps worked as he never had workedbefore in all his brief life. His distaste for the Greek and dislike ofthe professor were as strong as before, and at times it almost seemed tohim that he could no longer continue the struggle. His sole inspirationwas in the thought of his father and in his blind determination not tobe mastered. 

An additional element of gloom in those days were the reports that camefrom the infirmary of the condition of Peter John. All the otherpatients appeared to be doing well, but the daily word from the watchersby Peter John's bedside was that he was worse. A pall seemed to beresting over the entire college. The noisy songs and boisterous shoutswere not heard in the dormitories nor upon the campus. 

A part of the general anxiety was gone when as the days passed therewere no reports of new cases developed, but the fear of what was to bethe issue in the case of Peter John was in every heart--even with thosewho had not exchanged a word with him since he had entered Winthrop. 

Will Phelps found himself even wondering how it was that the "oldgrads" when they returned always spoke in such enthusiastic terms oftheir own college days. How they laughed and slapped one another on theback as they recalled and recounted their exploits. It was Will'sconviction that those days must have been markedly different from thosethrough which he was passing, for he was finding only hard work and muchtrouble, he dolefully assured himself. He was too inexperienced tounderstand that one is never able to see clearly the exact condition ofpresent experiences. There is then no perspective, and the good andevil, the large and small, are strangely confused. It is like thefigures in a Chinese picture wherein the background and foreground, thelittle and the big, are much the same in their proportions. Only when aman looks back and beholds the events of the bygone days in their trueperspective is he able to form a correct estimate of the relativevalues. Even Will Phelps would not have believed that there might come aday when the very struggle he was having in mastering his Greek would belooked upon by him as not unpleasant in the larger light in which allhis college days would be viewed. 

Mr. Schenck still remained in Winthrop, and his face every morning whenWill went to inquire about Peter John was a sure indication of thereport which was to be made even before a word had been spoken. Steadilylower and lower sank the freshman, who was desperately ill, until atlast the crisis came, and with the passing of the day the issue of lifeor death would be determined. 

In the interval between his recitations Will ran to see the sufferingman and learn how the issue was going, and when at last the word wasreceived that Peter John, if no relapse occurred, was likely to recover, he felt as if a great load had been lifted from his mind. It was hisfirst experience with the deep tragedy that, like a cloud, rests overall mankind, and in the glimmer of hope that now appeared it seemed tohim that all things appeared in a new light. Even his detested Greek wasnot quite so bad as it previously had been, and in the reaction thatcame Will bent to his distasteful task with a renewed determination. 

When several weeks had elapsed, and the time of the Christmas vacationwas near, for the first time Will was permitted to enter the room wherePeter John was sitting up in bed. It was difficult for Will to hide theshock that came when he first saw his classmate, his face wasted till italmost seemed as if the bones must protrude, his head shaved, and hisgeneral weakness so apparent as to be pathetic. 

Striving to conceal his real feelings and to appear bright and cheery, Will extended his hand and said nervously: "I'm mighty glad to see you, Peter John, and so will all the fellows be. I don't think you've takenthe best way of getting a vacation. "

Peter John smiled in a way that almost brought the tears to Will's eyes, and said, "I'm much obliged to you, Will. "

"No, you're not. We're all much obliged to you for getting well. I don'tknow what the track team would have done without you. "

"Guess I won't bother the track team this year. That's what the doctorsays. "

"Oh, well, " said Will hastily, "that won't make any difference. You'llbe all right for another year and that will do just as well. "

"Say, Will, " said Peter after a brief pause:

"What is it?" inquired Will kindly. 

"There's something I want to say to you. "

"Say it, then, " laughed Will. 

"I'm never going to touch a drop again. "

"That's all right. Of course you won't, " assented Will cordially. 

"And, Will--"

"Yes?"

"I'm not going to have anything charged up to you any more. "

"'Anything charged up to me'? I don't know what you mean. "

"I mean those cakes and pies I had charged to you down at Tommie's. ""Tommie" was the name by which the proprietor of one of the littlerestaurants and bakeshops in Winthrop was familiarly called by thecollege boys. 

"I didn't know you had anything charged to me. "

"You didn't?"

"No. I haven't had any bill for it, anyway. "

"You'll get it. You'll have one, " said Peter John nodding his headdecidedly. "I don't know what I ever did it for anyway. At first Ithought it was a good joke on you. M--some of the fellows said it wouldbe. And then somehow I kept it up. "

"Never mind, Peter John. I'll fix it. It'll be all right. "

"Did you tell my father?" inquired Peter John anxiously. 

"No. I haven't told him anything. "

"I'm glad. I lost some money on that trip with the football team, Will. "

"How much?"

"Seven dollars and a half. It was all I'd got. "

"Do you want--" Will started to take out his pocketbook, but stoppedabruptly, for he was not certain just how Peter John might receive hisoffer. He did not see the light that came for a moment into hisclassmate's eyes or the look of disappointment that quickly followed it. 

"I'm never going to bet any more, " remarked Peter John simply. 

"Of course not. "

"But my money is gone and I sha'n't be able to pay for those things Ihad charged to you at Tommie's, as I fully meant to. "

"Never mind that. "

"I'm going to study harder too. "

"Not just yet. I shouldn't bother my head about such things now, PeterJohn. Wait till you are up and around before you do that. "

"I'm afraid that'll be a long time. "

"No. Oh no, it won't, " said Will cheerily. "You'll be all right beforeyou know it. "

Peter John shook his head and was about to reply, when Mott entered theroom and at the same time the physician also came. The latter glancedkeenly at his patient, and then said to the visitors, "That's enoughthis time, boys. You'd better cut it short now and come again. "

Will and Mott at once departed after bidding Peter John good-bye, andwhen they were out on the sidewalk Mott began to laugh. 

"What's struck you? I don't see anything so very funny, " said Willirritated by his companion's manner. 

"Peter John has made a clean breast of it. "

"What of it?"

"Oh, nothing much. Only when the 'devil was sick the devil a monk wouldbe. ' You know the words probably. It strikes me as absolutely funny. "

"I don't see anything to laugh about, " retorted Will warmly. 

"You wait and maybe you will later, Phelps. Tra, la, freshman!" and Mottabruptly departed. 

His words, however, still lingered in Will's mind, and throughout theevening the jingling rhyme that the sophomore had repeated kept runningthrough his thoughts. 

CHAPTER XXI

THE EXAMINATION

Vacation had come and gone. How Will Phelps did enjoy that break in hiswork! He almost begrudged the swiftly passing hours while he was athome, and as the vacation drew near its close he found himself computingthe hours and even the minutes that yet remained before he must return, just as he had previously reckoned the time that must pass before hecould return to Sterling. It was not that he did not enjoy his collegelife, for as we know he had entered heartily into its spirit, but thework was hard and his handicap in the one subject had robbed him of theenthusiasm which perhaps otherwise he might have had. 

When the day at last arrived when he was to return he was unusuallyquiet and seldom had a word to say to any one. Uppermost in his thoughtswas the expression of the principal of the school where he had preparedfor college, who had said to him: "Well, Will, with all the fun ofcollege there is still another side to it, and that is, that when afellow enters college he really is leaving home. From that time forwardhe may come back for his vacations, but it is nevertheless the breakthat sooner or later comes to every man. " Will had thought much of thesaying, and its truthfulness was so apparent that he was unable entirelyto shake off the somewhat depressing effect it had produced uponhimself. 

When the hour came and the good-byes must be said he strove desperatelyto be calm, but he dared not trust himself to say much. He did not onceglance behind him as he walked away from the house to the street, thoughhe knew that his father and mother were standing on the piazza and werewatching him as long as his sturdy form could be seen by them. 

On the train he found several of his college friends and it becamesomewhat easier for him in their company to forget his own heaviness ofheart, and as he sped on toward Winthrop the numbers increased and thenoisy shouts of greeting and the enthusiasm of the students diverted himfrom the feeling to which otherwise he might have yielded. 

Peter John and Foster were in the number of the returning students, theformer having recovered sufficiently to warrant him in taking up a partof his work. Wagner also and several of the other students who had beenvictims of the fever were on the train when it arrived at Winthrop, andin the warmth of their reception by their student friends there was atonic such as even the physicians' prescriptions had not afforded. Willfound a slight return of his depression when he first entered his room, but when a few days had passed his life had once more settled into thegrooves of the daily routine and assumed its former round of tasks. 

The mid-year examinations came within a month after the reopening of thecollege, and the chagrin and anger of Will Phelps were keenly arousedwhen he learned that although he had done well in his other studies hewas conditioned in his Greek. He stormed and raved about the injusticewith which he was being treated, and finally, at Foster's suggestion, sought a personal interview with his professor. 

"I don't understand it, professor, " he said warmly. "I never felt moresure of anything in my life than I did that I had passed that exam--Imean that examination. "

"Ah, yes, " replied the professor. "Quite likely if you had had thedecision to make, you would have passed _cum laude!_ Ha, ha! Yes, Ifawncy it might have been so, but unfortunately the decision had to bemade by other parties. "

"But didn't I pass the examination, professor?" demanded Will. 

"I do not exactly recollect as to that. Quite likely you failed, sincethat impression seems to be vivid in your thoughts. Were you soreported?"

"Yes, sir. Have you got that paper, professor?"

"I _have_ it. I should not say I have _got_ it. "

"May I see it?" Will's manner was subdued, but there was a flush on hischeeks which those who knew him well would at once have understood. 

"I will look it over with you, " assented the professor. "It is againstour rules to return papers to students, and I fawncy our rules are madeto be obeyed, not ignored. "

"Yes, sir. " Will was hardly aware of what he was saying so impatient andeager was he for the paper to be produced. 

The professor unlocked a drawer in his desk and drew forth a package ofpapers that were carefully tied with a piece of ribbon. Even the knotwas exact and the loop on one side did not vary from that on the otherby the smallest fraction. In his impatience Will noticed even thisdetail, but it was ignored in a moment when the professor slowly andwith care examined the headlines of the papers and at last drew forthone which he placed on the desk in front of him and said: "Ah, yes. Hereis the paper in question. It is credited with being two points above themark required to pass a student. "

"It is?" demanded Will enthusiastically. "I thought there must be amistake. "

There was a slight scowl on the professor's brow as he said: "Ah, yes. Iwill now refer to your true mark, " and he drew forth a little book as hespoke and carefully examined the record. "Ah, yes, " he murmured, notlifting his eyes from the page on which he had placed a forefinger. "Ah, yes. It is as I fawncied. Your average for the term in your recitationsis what brings you below. It is true you are two above the required markin your examination, but you are three below in your recitation work, and that, I regret exceedingly to say, brings you still one point belowthe mark necessary to pass you. " The professor looked up and smiledblandly. 

But Will Phelps was not smiling and his vigorous young heart was filledwith wrath. By a desperate effort, however, he contrived to control hisvoice and said quietly: "Was I not doing better? Was I not improving inmy work?"

"I should not care to speak positively, but my impression is that youwere. Ah, yes, " he added as he glanced again at his record. "You wereimproving. I may even say there was a marked improvement. "

"And I passed the exam?"

"I have told you that you were two points above the mark required forpassing the examination, " said the professor with dignity. 

"Then I don't see what I'm stuck for. "

"You are not 'stuck'. "

"I'm not? Thank you, professor. I thought I was. You can't understandwhat a load--"

"Excuse me, Mr. Phelps. I did not affirm that you were not conditioned. I merely declared that you were not 'stuck'. "

"Then I am conditioned, am I?" said Will, his heart instantly sinking. 

"Most certainly. "

"What shall I have to do?"

"Pass the examination. "

"But I have passed it! I passed this one!" declared Will promptly. 

Again the professor's scowl returned and his thin lips were tightlycompressed as he said, "I fawncy it will not be necessary for me torepeat what I have already said. You were deficient in the term work andtherefore are conditioned. "

"Then you mean to tell me, do you, " said Will, no longer able to represshis rising indignation, "that, though I steadily improved in my classwork, and then passed the examination, in spite of it all you are goingto give me a condition because according to your figures I am still onepoint below?"

"Most certainly. "

"And I'll have to take another exam?"

"Precisely. "

"Good evening, professor, " said Will, rising abruptly. 

There was nothing more to be said, and he felt that it would be wise towithdraw from the professor's presence before, in his indignation, heshould say something he was certain to regret. When, however, hereturned to his own room, there the flood tides of his wrath brokeloose. He related the interview to Foster, and bitterly declared that ifa smaller specimen of a man could be found with a microscope he thoughthe would be willing to spend his days and nights searching for him. There was neither justice nor fairness in it. He had improved steadily, even Splinter acknowledged that he had, and had passed the requiredexam, and yet for the sake of the professor's pettiness and the red tapeof the college rules he must take another, and then if he should pass_that_ he would be all right. Bah! Greek was bad enough, but Splinterwas worse. What kind of a man was he to put in charge of a lot offellows with live blood in their veins, he'd like to know. For his parthe wished he was out of it. Such things might do for kids, but it wastoo contemptible to think of for college students. 

Foster wisely waited till the outburst had been ended and then said, "Well, Will, you're up against it, whatever you say. What are you goingto do about it?"

"Do about it? I'm going to pass that exam. There isn't any other wayout. I've got to do it! but that doesn't make it any nicer for me, doesit?"

"Splinter's here and is likely to stay. And if you and I are going tostay too, I suppose we'll have to come to his tune. "

"I fancy--you should hear Splinter say that. "

"Say what?"

"'Fancy, ' only he calls it 'fawncy'. I 'fawncy' my father is dead rightwhen he says that I'll find a splinter everywhere and just as long as Ilive; but I don't believe I'll ever find one as bad as this one is. "

"He may be worse. Don't you remember that little bit of Eugene Field'sverse where he tells how when he was a boy he was sliding down hill withsome other little chaps in front of the deacon's house? And how theiryelling annoyed the deacon till at last he came out and sprinkled asheson the path? Well, Eugene said he always had found since that there wassome one standing ready to throw ashes on his path, it didn't seem tomake any difference where he was. "

"I don't remember, but it's like my father's words about findingsplinters everywhere. Oh, no, I'm mad about it, but I'm not runningaway. I'm going to do it if that's the thing to be done. "

And when a month had gone by Will had passed the examination, and wasfacing his work without the drag of work undone to hinder him. 

The final influence had come one Sunday in the college chapel where thepulpit from week to week was occupied ("filled" was a word alsooccasionally used) by men of eminence, who were invited for the purposeof speaking to the college boys. Some of these visitors by words, presence, and message were a great inspiration to the young men, andothers were correspondingly deficient, for in the vocabulary of Winthropthere was no word by which to express the comparative degree. 

Will Phelps had regularly attended the services, not only because suchattendance was required by the college authorities but also from thehabit and inclination of his own life. With his fellows he had enjoyedsome speakers and had disliked others in his thoughtless manner, and inthe preceding week had laughed as heartily as any one over theunconscious escapade of Mott. The preacher for the day had beenunusually prosy, having length without much breadth or thickness asFoster had dryly described the discourse, and in the midst of the hour, Mott had fallen asleep in his pew. Short and stout in figure, doubtlessdoubly wearied by the late hours he had kept the preceding night, in themidst of his slumbers he had begun to snore. From low and peacefulintonations he had passed on to long, prolonged, and sonorous notes thatcould be heard throughout the college chapel. Nor would any one of hisfellows disturb his slumbers, and when at last with an unusually loudand agonizing gasp Mott was awakened and suddenly sat erect and staredstupidly about him, the good-hearted, but boyishly irreverent audience, it is safe to affirm, was decidedly more interested in the slumberingsophomore than in the soporific speaker, though few doubtless thoughtthem related as cause and effect. 

On the following Sunday Will was thinking of Mott's experience andwondering if he would give another exhibition. This thought was even inhis mind when the visiting speaker entered the chapel pulpit andreverently began the service of the day. 

He had not been speaking long before it was evident that every eye wasfastened upon him. It was evident that here was first of all a man, andthen a man who was present because he had something to say and notmerely because he had to say something. 

"I am appealing to those of you, " he was saying, "who are eager andearnest, not to you who are indifferent or weaklings. Those of you whoare members of your college teams, who are leading spirits in thecollege life, who are not living lives that are above reproach becauseyou have no temptation to be bad, but because if you do right it isbecause you have to struggle and fight for it--it is to you I amspeaking this morning. "

Will was listening intently, as was every one in the chapel, and thenthere followed a sentence that seemed to him almost electric with lifeand that made a lasting impression upon his life. 

CHAPTER XXII

A FRESH EXCITEMENT

"What I want every one of you young men to do, " the speaker was saying, "is to give your better self a chance. There isn't one of you to-day whois not proud of his physical strength, not one of you who, if he shouldbe urged to join one of the athletic teams, would not willingly, evenproudly go through all the training that would be required of him. Andthat is right. In your intellectual work some of you see what thedesired end is--the development of power, getting your brains into formso that you can meet and compete with the forces you will have to facewhen you leave your college days behind you and go forth to make yourname and place in the great battlefield of life. Some of you, it may be, do not as yet see this clearly, and when you can evade a task or dodge adifficult demand upon you, count it as so much gained. But in your heartof hearts you know better, and are dimly conscious that you are losingand not gaining by your neglect. "

The earnestness, the sincerity, and naturalness of the speaker actedupon Will Phelps with the effect of an electric shock. Never had he beenso thoroughly aroused, and every nerve in his body was tingling when heleft the chapel and started toward his own room. 

"That's the kind of a talk the fellows like. "

Will glanced up and beheld Wagner, who had overtaken him and now waswalking by his side. 

"I never heard such a man in all my life, " said Will warmly. 

"There isn't a man that comes here who has such a grip on the studentsas he has. One of the best things you have to look forward to is thetreat you will have every year of hearing him. There isn't a spark of'cant' or 'gush' about him, but what he says goes straight home. I don'tthink I'll ever forget some of the things he has said to us while I'vebeen in college. "

Accepting Will's cordial invitation, Wagner went with him to his roomand remained there for an hour, and for the most of the time theirconversation was of the man and the message they had that morning heard. 

"I'll never forget one thing he said, " remarked Wagner thoughtfully. 

"What was that?" inquired Will, deeply interested at once. 

"He was talking once about the reason why women were supposed to be somuch more religious than men, and he said he didn't believe they were. "

"There are more in the churches, anyway, " suggested Will. 

"Yes, that's what he said; but he said too, that the reason for it wasbecause one side of the life of Christ had been emphasized at theexpense of the other. He said so much had been made of his gentlenessand meekness and the kindly virtues, which were the feminine side of hisnature and appealed most to women, that he was afraid sometimes theother the stronger side and the one that appealed most to men had beenlost. And then, he went on to speak of the Lion of the tribe of Judah, and he pictured the temptation and the power of decision and the heroicendurance and strength, and all that. I never heard anything like it inall my life. It made me feel as I do when the team is in for a meet. I'll never forget it! Never!"

"I wish I'd heard it. "

"You'll have three more chances, anyway. "

"Maybe more than that if I don't pass in all my work, " laughed Will. 

"Having any trouble?"

"A little with my Greek, but I've passed off my condition now. "

"I think you're all right then, though Splinter is a hard proposition. Just imagine him talking like this man this morning. "

Will laughed, and then becoming serious, he said, "Wagner, I've aclassmate who is bothering me. "

"Who is it?"

"Schenck. Peter John everybody calls him. "

"What's he doing? What's the trouble with him?"

"Well, to be honest, he's drinking hard. "

"Wasn't he one of the fellows who was down, with the typhoid when I hadit?"

"Yes. "

"An awkward, ungainly, redheaded fellow?"

"That's the one. "

"What have you been doing for him?"

"Everything I could think of, but nothing seems to hold. He made allsorts of promises when he was sick and he hasn't kept one of them. Hegoes around with Mott and you know what that means. "

"Yes, " said Wagner thoughtfully. 

"He's a queer chap. I was in school three years with him and in someways he was absolutely idiotic. For a while he'd work all right and thenwithout a word of warning he'd break out and do some of the mostabsolutely fool things you ever heard of. "

"Not very much to appeal to, I fancy. "

"There might be if a fellow knew how, but I confess I don't. "

"You think it would do any good for me to see him?"

"Yes, I do, " said Will eagerly. "You know he might stand a show for thetrack team--"

"Is he the fellow that won the half-mile in the sophomore-freshmanmeet?" inquired Wagner eagerly. "Is he the one?"

"Yes. "

"I'll see him. I'll go right over there now. You're not letting up anyin your own work for the team are you, Phelps?"

"I'm doing a little all the time, " Will admitted, "but I don't supposeit will amount to much. "

"Yes, it will. You never can tell till you try. If Mott does not dobetter he'll find himself out of it. We'll need you and every one we canget. You know I can't go in this year. "

"Why not?"

"The typhoid. Doctor won't let me. "

"Then Peter John can't go in either. "

"That's so. I hadn't thought of that. All the more reason then why youought to do your best, Phelps. I'll see this John Henry anyway--"

"You mean Peter John. "

"All right. Have it your own way. I'll go over to his room and look himup anyway. Good-bye, Phelps. "

"Good-bye, " responded Will, as the senior started down the stairway. 

Several days elapsed before Will heard anything of Wagner's interviewwith Peter John and then all that Wagner told him was that the freshmanhad promised faithfully to do better. But Will had already had so muchexperience with Peter John's promises that he was somewhat skeptical asto results. His classmate he knew was not essentially vicious, onlyweak. He was so weak and vain that he was eager to gain the favor ofwhatever person he chanced to be with, and his promise of better thingsto Wagner was as readily given as was his response to Mott when thelatter happened to be his companion of the hour. 

Troubled as Will was, he nevertheless did for Peter John all that waswithin his power, which was not much, and was heavy-hearted as thereports steadily came of his classmate's downfall. Even Hawley, good-natured as he was, had at last rebelled and declared that he wouldno longer room with a fellow who had no more sense than Schenck, andPeter John, left to himself, was quick to respond to Mott's invitationto share his room, and was soon domiciled in the sophomore's moreluxurious quarters. 

Will Phelps found meanwhile that his own work in the classroom was of acharacter that promised a fair grade, though by no means a high one. Even his professor of Greek now appeared in a slightly more favorablelight, and Will was convinced that the change was in Splinter, not inhimself, so natural and strong were his boyish prejudices. 

As the springtime drew near, however, his thoughts and time weresomewhat divided in the excitement of the last great struggle betweenthe members of his own class and their rivals, the sophomores. For yearsit had been the custom of the college for the two lower classes to bury, or rather to burn the hatchet on St. Patrick's Day. For a week precedingthat time the tussles between the rival classes were keener than at anyother time during the year. 

At that eventful date the freshmen for the first time were permitted tocarry canes, and on the day itself there was to be a parade of thefreshman class, every member clad in some outlandish garment which hewore outside his other clothing, and it was the one ambition of thesophomore class to silence the music of the band that was at the head ofthe procession and at the same time tear the outer garments from thenoisy freshmen. For a week preceding the time of the parade the freshmenwere striving by every means in their power to smuggle their canes intoWinthrop so that they would all be supplied when the day of emancipationarrived, and the test of the sophomores' keenness was in being able tothwart the plans of their adversaries and prevent the entrance of thecanes into the town. 

Every road leading to the village was strictly guarded by the vigilantsophomores and spies were busy in the adjacent towns who werecontinually on the lookout for the purchase or purchasers of the canes. The excitement had become keener with the passing of the days until nowonly two days remained before the great parade when the huge woodenhatchet would be borne at the head of the procession and duly consignedto the flames on the lower campus in the presence of the entire studentbody. 

Will and Foster had shared in the growing interest and both knew justwhere the coveted canes had been purchased by the duly authorizedcommittee and hidden till the time should arrive when they were to bebrought stealthily into the village. Their excitement became keenerstill when on the evening of the day to which reference has been madePeter John Schenck burst into Will's room with a report that instantlyaroused his two friends. 

CHAPTER XXIII

THE RUSH TO COVENTRY CENTER

"The sophs have found out where the canes are, " Peter John almostshouted. 

"They have? How do you know?" demanded Will. 

"I was in my bedroom and I heard them talking with Mott in our studyroom. "

"Who?"

"Tucker, Spencer, and Goodman. "

"What did they say?"

"They said the canes were over in Coventry Center, at the minister'shouse there. "

Coventry Center was a little hamlet about seven miles distant fromWinthrop, and the excited freshmen had indeed stored a part of theircanes in the house of the worthy old minister of the village. They hadfrankly explained to him what their purpose was and he had laughinglyconsented to receive the coveted possessions in his home and store themthere for the four days that intervened between the time and St. Patrick's day. And the freshmen had been confident that theirhiding-place would not readily be discovered. No one would suspect thatthe parsonage would be selected or the worthy minister would act as aguard. To make assurance doubly certain, however, only half of the caneshad been entrusted to the minister, and even those were divided--abundle containing a dozen being placed in the woodshed and the remainingbeing stored beneath the hay in the little loft of the barn. The otherhalf of the class canes had been taken to a farmhouse a mile distantfrom the parsonage and there concealed in an unused well, the mouth ofwhich was filled with rubbish and the _débris_ of a shed that had beenblown down by a severe windstorm that had occurred a few weeks beforethis time. 

As the utmost care had been observed by the committee having in chargethe purchase of the canes, and they had stealthily in a stormy nighttaken their precious burdens to the two places of concealment they hadbeen confident, over-confident now it appeared, that their actions hadnot been discovered. 

Will and Foster had both served on the committee that had purchased andhidden the canes, and when Peter John brought his unwelcome tidings thatthe rival class was aware of the place where the canes had been stored, it was difficult for them to determine whether anger or chagrin wasuppermost in their feelings. At all events they both were greatlyexcited, and Will said as he hastily rose from his chair:

"How did they find it out?"

"I don't know. I didn't hear them say, " replied Peter John. 

"Did they find out that you were there?"

"No, they left before I came out of my room. The door was partly openand I didn't dare stir hand or foot. "

"Lucky for you, Peter John. "

"Yes. I know it. "

"What are they going to do?" inquired Foster, who up to this time hadbeen silent. 

"They've gone over to get the canes. "

"Gone!" exclaimed Will aghast. 

"Yes. That's what Goodman said. "

"How many went, do you know, Peter John?" demanded Foster. 

"He said three. "

"Do you know who they were?"

"No. "

"When did they start?"

"Goodman said they went about an hour ago. "

"Which road?"

"I don't know. "

"Why didn't Mott go?"

"I don't think he knew anything about it before these fellows came andtold him. "

"What did he do after they told him?"

"He slapped his legs and laughed. "

"You say he went away with those fellows that told him about it?"

"Yes. "

"Did they say anything about any other canes--" began Will. But he wassharply interrupted by Foster and abruptly ceased. 

"I didn't know there were any others, " said Peter John. "Are there?Where are they?"

"We haven't any time to waste here, " said Foster, hastily donning hissweater and putting a cap on his head. "Peter John, you go back to yourroom, and if you hear of anything more go straight to Bishop with theword. "

"I'd rather go with you fellows. "

"Not this trip. You'll have to be on the lookout here. Somebody must doit and you're the one, Peter John. Come on, Will, " he added, calling tohis room-mate and instantly departed from the room. 

Ignoring Peter John, Will hastily followed Foster, and together the twofreshmen ran to Hawley's room. There a hurried consultation was held, the result of which was that it was decided that Foster and Dana shouldsecure a car and drive swiftly to Coventry Center by one road, two otherclassmates were to drive to the same destination by another road, whileWill and Hawley were to go on foot across the country and strive toarrive at the minister's house by the time the others had done so. Inthis way it was believed that every avenue of approach or retreat wouldbe covered, and that even if the sophomores had been first on the scenethey would still be unable to get away with their booty before theywould be discovered, and at least followed. 

In a brief time Will and Hawley were on their way across the country, leaving their more fortunate comrades, who were to ride, to follow assoon as their conveyances could be secured. The ground was still frozen, and in places there were patches of snow and ice, although the heavysnowfall of the winter for the most part was gone. Their way led throughwoods and over plowed fields, but the steady run or "trot" wasmaintained uphill and down, and within an hour and a half from the timethey had departed from Winthrop they arrived at the confines of thelittle hamlet of Coventry Center. 

"See or hear anything, Will?" inquired Hawley, as the two freshmenstopped and listened intently as they peered all about them. 

"Not a thing, " whispered Will in response. 

The lights in the little homes were already out, for the people ofCoventry Center were not believers in keeping untimely hours, and thetwinkling lights of the little village for the most part disappearedbefore ten o'clock arrived. It was about that hour when Will Phelps andHawley stopped at the end of the one straggling street to try todiscover if there were any signs of the presence of their enemies orclassmates. 

"Shall we wait or put straight for the minister's house?" inquiredHawley. 

"Go there, " replied Will. 

"Look out! Don't let any one see you, " said Hawley in a low voice asthey stealthily began to make their way up the street. Occasionally theystopped to make sure that they were not being followed or to strive todiscover if their own friends were near. They had passed the littlewhite wooden church building and were approaching the parsonage whenboth stopped abruptly. 

"What's that?" demanded Hawley in a whisper. 

"You know as much about it as I do. Come on and we'll find out. "

The sound of voices could be heard from the rear of the house and fromthe tones it was evident that the speakers were somewhat excited. Furthermore Will was positive that he recognized the voices of two andthey were members of the sophomore class at Winthrop. 

"How many are there?" whispered Hawley. 

"Sounds as if there were six or eight. Hark! There's the ministertalking. "

"What's he saying?"

"I can't make out. He's excited over something, though. "

"Come on, " whispered Hawley, "let's creep up around the corner of thebarn. We can see and hear too there, and if we're careful they won'tsuspect us. "

"It will be all day with us if they do, " whispered Will in response. 

Slowly and cautiously the two freshmen crept along the side of thestreet and diagonally across the vacant field till they had gained thedesired corner of the barn. Then crouching low they peered forth at thesight which could be seen in the dim light. 

On the highest step of the rear piazza of his house stood Mr. Whitaker, the minister of Coventry Center. He was a man at least sixty-five yearsof age, genial and shrewd, the friend of every one in the region. On theground before him now five men could be seen and neither Will nor Hawleyhad any difficulty in recognizing all five as sophomores. Will pinchedHawley's arm in his excitement, but did not speak, though it almostseemed to him that the thumpings of his heart must betray his presenceto the men who were before him. 

Mr. Whitaker was speaking and instantly Will's attention was centeredupon what was being said. "No, young gentlemen, I am not willing thatyou should enter my house. "

"But, Mr. Whitaker, " said one in reply whom Will took to be a sophomorewho roomed near him in Perry Hall, "we don't want to come into thehouse--just into the woodshed, that's all. "

"I cannot consent even to that. "

"We'll not harm anything. "

"You certainly will not if you do not enter. "

"We've got to come in, Mr. Whitaker!" said the speaker a little moreboldly. 

"And I forbid it. "

An interval in the conversation then followed during which Will couldsee that the sophomores were conferring. They had withdrawn to a placeabout midway between the house and the barn and consequently were nearerthe hiding-place of the two freshmen than before, but both werecompelled to draw back for fear of being discovered and consequentlywere unable to hear what was said. 

In a brief time the sophomores returned to the piazza where the ministerwas still standing. "Mr. Whitaker, " began the leader. 

"Yes, sir. At your service, " responded the minister pleasantly. 

"Why do you object to our coming in? You know we won't do any harm tothe place. You know what we've come for. "

"Perhaps that's the very reason why I object. "

"You don't have to stay here. We'll give you our word we won't harmanything. All we want is to get those freshmen canes. You're notresponsible for them and you certainly don't mean to say that you wouldstand up for that class. Why it's the worst that ever entered Winthrop. "

"I have frequently heard of the class, " said the minister laughinggenially as he spoke. "I have a grandson who chances to be a member ofit. "

"I beg your pardon. I didn't mean to say that every fellow in it was apoor stick. All I meant was that as a class it's the most conceited onethat was ever seen. That's what every one says. "

"Doubtless, " remarked Mr. Whitaker dryly. 

"You don't care anything about the squabbles of the classes. It'snothing to you anyway, Mr. Whitaker, " pleaded the sophomore. 

"What led you to suspect that the canes might be here?"

"It wouldn't be fair to tell that, " laughed the sophomore. "We knowthey're here all right, and that's enough. "

"Would you believe me if I were to say to you that they are not here?"

"Yes, sir, I suppose we should, " replied the sophomore dubiously, "butyou won't say it. "

"Why not, since they are not here?"

"What?" demanded the entire party almost together. 

"That is what I said. The canes are not in my house. "

"In the barn, then?" said the leader suspiciously. 

"No, they are not in the barn, either. There is not a cane on my placeexcept the one I occasionally use myself. If you think that will do--"

"But, Mr. Whitaker, the man was seen when he brought the canes here. "

"Quite likely. "

"And yet you say they are not here?"

"That is what I said. And what I still say. "

"I don't understand--"

"I do not say they _were_ not here. All I say is that they _are_ nothere. "

"They're gone? They've been taken away? Is that what you mean?" demandedthe astonished sophomore. 

"Precisely. "

"Let's go in and search anyway, " said one of the party now thoroughlyangry. 

"I advise you not to attempt that, " said the minister quietly. 

"Why not?" said the sophomore impudently. 

"Because one of my neighbors is a deputy sheriff and housebreaking is asomewhat serious offense. "

For a moment the assembly was nonplussed, but their uncertainty wasspeedily relieved, or at least interrupted, by an occurrence thatinstantly caused them all to turn and flee from the place at theirutmost speed. 

CHAPTER XXIV

THE MYSTERY OF THE CANES

At the very moment when the consternation of the sophomores was keenestthe sound of a sleigh turning into the yard in which they were standingcaused them all to look quickly toward the gateway. The ground was barein places, and the runners of the sleigh, as the iron bands passed overthe gravel, emitted shrieks and groans as if they were striving to warnthe sophomores of the impending peril. 

Seated in the sleigh were three men whom the assembly speedilyrecognized as members of the freshman class, and their own fears for amoment doubtless caused the sophomores to magnify the numbers as well asthe danger. 

"Look out, fellows! Here they come!" said one in a low voice whom Willand Hawley recognized. It was Mott, who was again the spokesman andleader of the little band. 

"Let's get out of this, " responded one whose voice Will could notdetermine, and as if a sudden panic had seized upon them the young menturned and began to run swiftly. 

"Hold on! Hold on, fellows!" called Mott savagely, although his voicewas not loud. "Hold on! What are you running for? There are only threeof them, and we're good for any three freshmen in Winthrop. Don't run. Come on back!"

Mott's appeal served to restore a measure of confidence among hiscompanions, and instantly the flight was abandoned and all turned slowlyback toward the yard. Neither Will nor Hawley had yet moved from hishiding-place, though they were leaning farther out from the corner ofthe barn in their eagerness to discover what was occurring in the yardbefore them. They could see that the driver in the sleigh was Foster, and he had leaped out and was now as calmly tying his horse andfastening the blanket upon it as if never a thought of his rival classhad entered his mind. Beside him two young men were standing, but in thedim light it was impossible to determine just who they were. Thereturning sophomores were now near the new arrivals, and the genial oldminister could also be seen, still standing on the piazza and evidentlynot uninterested in the sight and presence of the young men before him. 

"What are you doing here, Bennett?" demanded Mott of Foster. 

"Oh, we're out for a sleigh ride, " responded Foster glibly, "and we juststopped here to see the fun. What are you doing here?"

"Oh, we stopped to see the fun too, " responded Mott gruffly. "It's worthgoing miles to see freshmen who don't know any more than to gosleigh-riding on bare ground. Had a good time, freshman?"

"Yes. Have you?"

"We're all right. If you've come for the canes you're too late. "

"Have you just found that out?" replied Foster with a loud laugh. It wastrue that he was not aware that the canes had been taken away, but hewas not minded to betray his surprise to the members of the rivalclass. 

There was a brief interval of silence which was broken by the oldminister, who said, "I shall be very glad, young gentlemen, to have youcome into the house. The night air is cold and you must be thoroughlychilled. A little while ago I may have appeared somewhat lacking inhospitality, " he added, turning to Mott as he spoke; "but now I canassure you I shall be very glad indeed to receive you. "

"Thank you, " responded Foster. "We shall be glad to come in if theothers will come too. "

"We can't very well to-night, " said Mott glumly. "We've got to go--"

Suddenly there broke in a wild yell upon the silence of the night. Thesound was made by only two men, but these two were possessed of a lungpower that was well-nigh phenomenal. Hawley who with his companion hadbeen watching the events that were occurring before them had suddenlyturned to Will and whispered, "Let's go in and take a hand! Yell, Phelps! Make them hear you clear over in Winthrop!"

"Hi-i-i-i!" the two lusty freshmen had shouted together as they leapedforward, and the prolonged yell was repeated when all the assembly hadinstantly turned and for a moment in sheer astonishment were gazing atthe startling approach of men from behind the barn. 

"Come on, fellows!" shouted Hawley again. "Come on! We'll get every oneof them! Come on! Come on!"

To the startled sophomores it seemed as if myriads of their foes wererushing upon them, and after a momentary confusion every one had startedswiftly across the narrow field that intervened between the yard and theroad that approached Coventry Center from another direction. 

"Come on, Foster! Come on all you fellows!" shouted Hawley. "Come on!We'll get every soph that's here and will put 'em where they won't doany harm till long after St. Patrick's Day. "

Obediently every freshman started to follow Hawley, and across therough, plowed field they ran swiftly toward the road where thesophomores had already disappeared from sight behind the bushes thatwere thick and high by the roadside. When once they had gained the roadthey could see the forms of two men speeding away in the distance, andwith a renewed shout the freshmen started in swift pursuit. 

On up the long hill they sped until at last they stood together on thesummit. Not a sight of their rivals was to be seen, and blankly thefreshmen stood and stared about them till Hawley said:

"No use, fellows. They've got away and we might as well go back. Foster, " he added, "did you know the canes were gone?"

"Gone? Gone where?" replied Foster blankly. 

"I haven't the slightest idea. All I know is that Mr. Whitaker told Mottthat the canes _had_ been in his house but they had been taken away. "

"Who took them?"

"I haven't the slightest idea. "

"You don't suppose the sophs got them, do you?" said Foster hastily. 

"I hadn't thought of that. It never entered my mind that anybody but ourown fellows had come for them. "

"I don't believe it was anybody else that got them, " said Will. "Youought to have heard Mr. Whitaker talk to Mott and the other sophs. Theywere just determined to go into his house, but the old man would not letthem. No, you can rest easy about it, Mr. Whitaker never let the canesgo out of his house without knowing who had come for them. No, sir. Notmuch. "

Somewhat comforted by Will's positiveness, the boys began to retracetheir way down the long road, and after a moment Hawley said, "We'llfind out all about it anyway, for Mr. Whitaker will tell us. He's all onour side. That's what comes of having his grandson in our class. Say, fellows, you just ought to have heard Mott rake over our class. He hadthe nerve to stand there and tell Mr. Whitaker that we were the worstlot that had ever entered Winthrop. "

"I wish we had caught him!" said Foster warmly. "We would have made himcome up in his estimate of the freshmen. "

"Oh, he was just talking to hear himself, " said Will Phelps lightly. "Heknows who we are all right enough, and he isn't going to forget us rightaway either. But I wish we had caught him. "

"Here we are, fellows, " said Hawley, as the five young men clamberedover the fence and once more were in Mr. Whitaker's yard. "Let's go inand ask him about it now. "

"All right, " responded Foster as they started toward the door. "Hold ona minute. Let me take a look at my horse first. I'll be with you in aminute. Gre-a-at--" he suddenly began. "The horse is gone!"

"What!" exclaimed Will in astonishment. 

No heed was given his expression, however, as all five ran quickly tothe post to which the horse had been tied. But the horse and sleigh weregone, and not a trace remained to show in which direction they haddeparted. 

"Sure you fastened him all right?" inquired Hawley anxiously. 

"I know I did, " replied Foster. 

"If you did then he couldn't have got loose. I wonder if Mott and thesophs could have done it? Come on! We'll go in and tell Mr. Whitaker andhe may be able to give us a point or two. There's a light in thekitchen, and we'll probably find him there. Come on, fellows!"

Hastily the boys ran to the kitchen door, and in response to their knockMr. Whitaker himself opened the door and stood before them. 

"Mr. Whitaker, " began Foster, "do you know who took our horse andsleigh?"

"Why! Why, I supposed that you did. Two young men came into the yard notmore than three minutes ago and took them away. "

"They did? Then it _was_ the sophs, " said Foster turning to hiscomrades. "We'll never hear the last of it. We can't get a horse here, can we, Mr. Whitaker?" he inquired eagerly. 

"I fear not. I have none of my own, and there are not many to be hadhere anyway. "

"Did they start toward Winthrop?"

"I think so. They turned toward the lower road. "

"Let's get after them, " suggested Foster. 

"A long way after them, " said Will grimly. "We never could catch up withthem. "

"Mr. Whitaker, " said Hawley, "how long ago were the canes taken awayfrom here?"

The good man hesitated, and the freshman without waiting for him tospeak began again. "We belong to the same class as your grandson. We'refreshmen and we don't want the sophs to get those canes. "

"I regret exceedingly that I had anything to do with it, but my grandsonover-persuaded me and so I consented. I should say that it was about anhour ago when they came for the canes. "

"Who came?"

"There were two young gentlemen, and they brought me a note whichinformed me that I was to let them take the canes away. "

"A note?" demanded Hawley. "What did it say? Who signed it?"

"It was signed by Hawley--Albert Hawley, if I recollect aright, and alsoby my grandson. "

"My name is Hawley and somebody forged it. The sophs have the canes andI'm afraid it's too late--"

"Too late nothing, Hawley!" said Will impulsively. "What kind of a rig, I mean wagon or sleigh or whatever it was, did they have?" he inquiredof the minister. 

"It was a box wagon, a farm wagon, and they had a farmer to drive forthem. "

"Did you know the man?" demanded Will. 

"No. I cannot say that I did. He was a stranger to me. But the note--"

"Probably some soph disguised as a farmer. Did he have any other load inthe wagon box?"

"Yes. I noticed some bags of meal. "

"Good. And you say they took the lower road?"

"Yes. I recollect that distinctly. "

"Isn't there a short cut? Can't we cut across lots and head them off?They would have to go slow, and it might be that we could head themsomewhere and get those canes away from them. "

"Yes, " replied Mr. Whitaker. "I don't know that I am doing right to tellyou, but inasmuch as the canes were secured by a forgery I shallcertainly tell you all I know of the matter. If you go down to thatlittle valley, " and as he spoke he pointed in a direction in the rear ofthe barn, "you will find a pathway that leads beside the brook almost ina straight line to what we call the ford. It saves between three andfour miles to Winthrop, and whenever I walk I take the path. I--"

"Thank you! Thank you, Mr. Whitaker! Come on! We'll try it anyway, fellows. We've nothing to lose and everything to gain. Good night, Mr. Whitaker! Thank you for what you've told us, " called Will Phelps, as hequickly turned and began to run. 

Obediently the boys all followed Will as he ran swiftly across thefield, and in a brief time they discovered the pathway to which the oldminister had referred. There was no conversation now, for the fear inevery heart was that they would arrive at the ford too late to avail. Besides, there was the likelihood that the canes would be disposed ofbefore the wagon had gone very far from Mr. Whitaker's house. Amultitude of fears possessed them, but they ran swiftly along the pathwhere Will Phelps, eager and strong was leading the way. Not once didthey stop for rest. The night air was chilling, and the clouds thatswept across the face of the sky did not hide the light of the moon. 

On and on they sped, steadily maintaining the dogged pace which theleader was setting for them, until at last, well-nigh winded andthoroughly tired by their exertions, they arrived at the place where thepathway joined the road and they knew that Winthrop was not more thanthree-quarters of a mile away. There they halted, but they had notrecovered from the effects of their long run when they perceived a farmwagon, apparently filled with bags, coming down the hill that was nearthem. 

CHAPTER XXV

ON THE TRAIL

As the eager freshmen peered out at the approaching wagon the suppressedexcitement threatened to break all bounds. "Let's stop him and get thecanes, " suggested Hawley in a whisper. 

"No. What'll be the good of that? It'll be better to follow up the wagonquietly, and then if we can find out where they put the canes, maybe alittle later we can get them away without the sophs knowing anythingabout it. Don't you see we'll be making it all the worse for them. "

"We don't _know_ that the canes are in the wagon, " suggested Foster. 

"Of course we don't, and it's all the same whether we try to find outnow or follow it up and find out a little later. "

"Phelps is right about it, " said Hawley. "If the canes shouldn't befound in the wagon, we would be making fools of ourselves if we stoppedit, but if we let it go on and follow it up we'll be all the better. "

Meanwhile the wagon itself had passed the place where the boys wereconcealed, and groaning and creaking had begun the ascent of theopposite hill. Only the driver was to be seen, and his appearance andactions were unmistakable. He was a farmer and well advanced in years, and if he was aware of the contest that was being waged between therival classes in Winthrop it was evident that he had no share in theexcitement. 

"How'll we do it, fellows?" inquired Hawley anxiously. "He'll get awaybefore we get our eyes open, if we don't look out. "

"Let's follow him, " said Will Phelps quickly. "We mustn't go in a bunch, but string out. But we mustn't be so far apart that we can't hear if oneof us calls or whistles. "

"Come on, then, " said Foster. "You go ahead, Will, and we'll come along. You're a runner, and if the old fellow begins to start up his horses youcan follow him better than any of us can. But we'll have to do ourbest. "

Quickly the suggestion was adopted, and Will ran swiftly along the roaduntil he discovered the wagon not far in advance of him. It was movingat the same monotonous pace as when it had passed the hiding place ofthe boys. Will Phelps, when he came within a hundred yards of the wagonhe was following, decreased his own speed and endeavored to keep closeto the fences by the roadside, so that he would not be seen by thedriver if he should chance to look behind him. 

They were soon within sight of Winthrop, and the shadowy towers of thecollege buildings could be discerned in the distance. It was long pastmidnight, and the only lights that could be seen were those of thetwinkling stars and the occasional flash of the moonlight when thebroken clouds that were moving across the face of the sky partedsufficiently for the face of the moon to be seen. 

Suddenly Will was aware that the wagon had stopped at a corner where aroad or street that led to the lower part of the village joined the roadthat led past the college buildings. He darted behind a huge tree thatgrew close to the roadside, and eagerly peered forth to discover whatthe next move of the farmer would be. He could see that some oneapproached the wagon, and after a brief delay climbed up on the seatbeside the driver and then the team started on once more. Will waskeenly excited by this time, and his suspicions were confirmed that thecanes were indeed in the wagon before him. He was eager to followswiftly, but he quickly decided that it would be wiser to wait untilHawley came up to the place where he himself was waiting and explain tohim the change in the direction of the party they were following. 

The huge form of Hawley soon appeared, and impatiently Will ran out intothe road to meet him. "They've turned in here, " he said excitedly, "andyou must stop here and tell the fellows. I'll run on ahead and find outwhere the wagon goes. "

Quickly Will darted across the fields and soon came into the lower road. The wagon could be seen not far in advance of him, and was still movingat a slow pace from which it had not varied since it first had beenseen. It was evident that the sophs were either indifferent orabsolutely confident, Will could not determine which. For a moment hisheart misgave him. What a plight he would be in if it should appear thathe and his classmates had been following a purposely designed trick oftheir rivals. The thought was by no means reassuring, but there was notime afforded for reflection, for the wagon he was following even thenturned into a lane that led to a farmhouse and barns that were not farfrom the road. The climax had almost been reached and it would be soonknown what the issue was to be. 

Will waited now for his classmates to join him. The wagon could notescape, for the lane came to an abrupt end in the yard, and if it shouldturn back it could not pass the place where he was waiting without beingseen. 

It was not long before Hawley joined him, and, as he approached, Willsaid: "They've gone down this lane. Somebody was waiting here and hasgone with the driver. There may be a good many others down there by thebarn for all that we know. What do you think we'd better do?"

"There's a haystack out there by the barn, " said Hawley, pointing to astack of some kind that could be seen in the rear of the nearest barn. "If you could only get behind that you could see what was going on. "

"I can, all right enough. But where will you fellows be? I may need yourhelp if I get into trouble. "

"I don't know. We won't be far away. Whistle if you want us and we'llmake a break for you. Don't let them see you, " he added warningly, aswithout waiting to reply, Will started at once, running swiftly alongthe ground near the crooked rail fence that extended the entire distancebetween the main road and the farm buildings. 

He was convinced that he had not been seen when at last he gained theshelter of the haystack, and, crouching within its shadows, he peeredforth at the wagon and the group of four men that were standing near it. He was positive that one was Mott, but his greatest surprise came whenhe perceived a horse and sleigh in the barnyard which he instantlyrecognized as the very ones with which Foster and his two classmates hadgone to Coventry Center. He reached forward and strove to hear what wasbeing said, for the little group were conversing eagerly but in tones solow that Will was unable to hear a word. He could see what was done, however, for after a brief delay the four men turned to the wagon, several sacks were lifted from their places in the load, and then twoother sacks were taken from the wagon and carried by Mott and anotherman into the barn. Several minutes elapsed before Mott came forthagain, and when he did he was alone. The sophomore stopped for a momentwith the men, handed some money to the farmer, and then he and thefourth man, whom Will fancied he recognized as another sophomore, climbed into the sleigh and at once started back up the lane, therunners of the sleigh screeching as they passed over the bare places asif they were doing their utmost to alarm the neighborhood and to protestagainst what was being done. The farmer too, soon followed and passed upthe lane, but his departure was of slight interest to Will, who waspuzzling himself about the man who had entered the barn with Mott andhad failed to reappear. To Will's mind there was but one explanation, and he was eager to confer with his own classmates, but he dared notleave his hiding-place for fear that the man in the barn might comeforth and depart without being seen. 

For a half-hour he waited but the stillness of the night was unbroken. He was becoming chilled and he dared not remain longer where he was. Atlast he decided to return to the place where he had left his ownclassmates and report to them what he had seen. 

Hastily withdrawing from his shelter he ran swiftly across the fieldsuntil he came to the corner, and then whistling softly was rejoiced whenhe perceived his friends rise from the ground in an angle of the crookedfence and advance to meet him. 

"Is that you, Will?" said Foster in a low voice. "We didn't know whathad become of you. What's up? What's wrong?"

Will hastily described what he had seen and then said, "I'm dead sure, fellows, that that soph has been left in the barn to watch those canes. "

"Why didn't you run away with the horse and sleigh?" inquired Hawley. 

"I did think of trying it. But I made up my mind that even if I shouldsucceed in doing it, it would give the whole thing away. They'd knowthat we'd found out where they had hidden our canes and there wouldn'tbe much use in our trying to get them again. Now we know where they areand the sophs don't even know that we know. "

"You mean you think they don't know that we know, " suggested Foster. 

"I know it!" asserted Will positively. "Now what shall we do?"

"Put straight back to the barn, tie up the soph and take the canes awaywith us, " said Hawley promptly. 

"I've thought of that, " replied Will. "But do you think that's the bestplan? If we take the canes away we may lose them, for St. Patrick's Dayisn't till day after to-morrow, you know. If this soph, I don't know whohe is, has been left as guard he'll be relieved, and if they find he'sgone and the canes too, why it'll be all the harder for us. "

"What do you suggest, Phelps?" inquired Hawley. 

"How will this do? Some one of us can creep back there into the barn andkeep watch the same as the soph is doing. He can be relieved in themorning and then some one else can take his place. If anything happensin the barn he'll be pretty likely to know it, and if anything doesn'thappen then we can get up a good-sized crowd and go down there to-morrownight and get the canes. We can distribute them among our fellows andthen the next morning every fellow in the class can march into chapelwith his cane. "

"Good! Good! That's the idea!" said Hawley warmly. "Who'll go down inthe barn and be guard for the night?"

"Who's got the most cuts to spare?" inquired Will. 

"I have, " said Foster promptly. "I have taken but four. "

"Then I should say you were the one to stand guard to-morrow, " saidWill. "I'll go to-night myself, " he added. "Come down just before it'slight in the morning, and come to the door in the rear of the barn. Rapthree times softly, and then if that doesn't work, whistle, but not tooloud. "

There was some demurring on the part of his classmates, each of whomdemanded for himself the privilege of taking the first watch, but Willinsisted, and then somewhat reluctantly he was left to make his way backto the barn and all the others soon returned to the dormitories. 

When Will Phelps arrived at the rear door of the barn he discovered thatit was locked on the inside and he was unable to gain an entrance there. He was fearful that to enter by the front door would be but to proclaimhis presence, but at last he perceived that there was an entrance by asmall door that was partly open above the roof of the little lean-to onthe side of the barn. Carefully he climbed up on the roof and cautiouslymade his way to the door. He peered within but it was dark and at firsthe was unable to discern anything. He waited until his eyes becamesomewhat accustomed to the dim light and then saw that there was a barefloor before him and that adjoining it was the haymow. 

With his utmost care he stepped inside, and his fears increased when hediscovered that the loose flooring creaked and groaned beneath his feet. With every step he halted and listened intently. It seemed to theexcited freshman that he never had heard such sounds as those boardsemitted that night. So slowly and cautiously did he proceed that itseemed to him that hours must have elapsed before he succeeded ingaining the border of the low mow. Even then he halted and listenedintently, but not a sound broke in upon the oppressive stillness thatpervaded the barn. 

He next carefully and cautiously stepped over into the mow. A faintglimmer of light came from one corner and there he concluded the laddermust be which led to the floor below. If he could gain a place nearthat, he assured himself he would be able to know if anything occurredbelow, and at the same time he himself would be secure from observation. 

Once more he slowly and with the utmost care began to creep forward, andat last he stretched himself at full length upon the hay and peered downthrough the opening. It was too dark to permit him to see much and not asound could be heard. 

Satisfied that he had been successful he resigned himself to his watch. The long hours dragged on until at last Will found it almost impossibleto keep himself awake. Desperately he strove to keep his eyes open, buthis feeling of drowsiness increased until at last it overpowered him andthe weary freshman was fast asleep. 

He was rudely awakened by sounds that came from the room below. He satquickly erect, and though the light was clearer now he at first couldnot collect his thoughts sufficiently to show him where he was. Quickly, however, as the sounds from below became louder, it all came back tohim, and he ran to the ladder and peered through the opening. What hesaw evidently startled him, for instantly he threw himself upon theladder and almost leaped to the floor below. 

CHAPTER XXVI

ST. PATRICK'S DAY

The door in the rear of the barn was open and on the floor before itstood Foster and Mott facing each other. Whether or not the sophomorewho had been left as a guard was still in the barn Will could notdetermine, but, without waiting to find out, he almost leaped to thefloor below, and before Mott could recover from his surprise he washelpless in the hands of his enemies. It was but the work of a momentsecurely to bind his hands and feet, and the leading spirit of thesophomore class was soon a helpless captive. 

Excited though the boys were, the entire adventure was completed in avery brief time, and Will and Foster were both laughing when they gazedat their helpless prisoner. Even Mott smiled as he said ruefully:

"You've scored, freshmen. What are you going to do with me?"

"Nothing, " said Will quickly. 

Mott drew down the corners of his mouth and then a sudden light appearedin his eyes that caused Will to look keenly at him for a moment. "Comeon, Foster, " he said simply; "let's put this fellow where he won't doany more harm, at least until after St. Patrick's Day. "

"Where'll we put him?" inquired Foster. 

Will turned and looked about him and perceived a small harness room onthe ground floor near him, and upon his suggestion the helplesssophomore was placed within it for safe keeping. 

"Now then, Foster, " said Will when he had closed the door of the room, "we've just got to find the place where these canes are hidden. Mott hascome here to take the place of the guard that was here last night andnobody knows how long it'll be before some one else comes. Come on, let's get about it. "

At once the two freshmen began their search. Beginning near theentrance, they examined every bin and peered into every possible placeof concealment. Even in the mangers before which the horses were tiedthey peered and searched, but when they had carefully examined theentire floor they had not been able to discover the place where thecoveted canes had been concealed. 

"What are we to do, Will?" demanded Foster at last. 

"Let's ask Mott. "

"He'll never let on. "

"Try it, anyway. "

The two boys returned to the harness room and Will at once addressedtheir prisoner. 

"Mott, " he said, "where are those canes?"

The sophomore laughed loudly as he replied, "You certainly are the twomost innocent freshmen I have ever struck yet. Perhaps you'd like tohave me help you carry them back to the college. "

"We'll let you go if you'll tell us where they are. "

"Thanks muchly, " replied Mott dryly. 

"Come on, Will, " said Foster. "We can find them ourselves. No use inwasting time here with this fellow. We'll get them ourselves. "

"You're certain they're here?" laughed Mott. 

Neither responded to his question, but both left the room and resumedtheir search. 

"You don't suppose they have really got those canes somewhere else, doyou, Foster? They might be just trying to put us on the wrong trackhere, you know?" inquired Will. 

"It's possible, but I don't believe it, " said Foster positively. "Ifthat was their game Mott wouldn't be here. "

"Probably not, " assented Will. "Let's begin again. We've no time towaste. "

The freshmen now began to search in the loft of the barn. They seizedthe pitchforks that were in the mow, and, thrusting the tines into thehay, they continued their search, working with desperate determinationand throwing the hay about them until the entire mow presented theappearance of having been almost completely overturned. 

But not a trace of the missing canes could they discover. At last, satisfied that their efforts were vain, they ceased and for a momentstared blankly at each other. 

"No use, " said Will despondently. "They've made game of us this time, Foster, just as sure as you live. "

"We won't give up yet, Will. Of course if the canes are here they werenot put where we'd be likely to stumble over them. We've just got tothink it out--"

Foster stopped abruptly as a voice was heard calling up from below. "Imust bid you an affectionate and tearful farewell, freshmen. Keep onwith your good work and remember that perseverance conquers everything. Even the best of friends must part--"

Foster and Will waited to hear no more, but both plunged down theladder, but when they had gained the floor below it was to behold Mottspeeding up the lane as if he was "sprinting" for life itself. For amoment the surprise and consternation of the two freshmen were socomplete that both were speechless. 

"Why didn't you take after him, Will?" said Foster, who was the first tobreak in upon the awkward silence. "What are you standing here for?"

"No use, Foster, " replied Will, shaking his head. "He's got too good astart. I don't see how he ever got loose. "

"Well, he is loose and that's all there is about it. What'll we donext?"

"Find those canes. They're here, I know they are. "

"Just tell me where they are, will you?"

"They won't come to us, that's certain! We've got to look them up. Andif we don't find them pretty soon too it'll be the worse for us. "

Will turned as he spoke and once more opened the lid of a piano box thatwas standing on the floor near them. The box apparently was filled withoats and they had inspected it before, but as it had not presented anyappearance of containing the object of their search they had passed itby and gone on to the loft above. 

This time, however, Will thrust his arm deep down into the oats and in amoment he almost shouted. "Here's something, Foster! Help me clear awaythese oats. There's something down in there!"

Foster seized the scoop that was near the improvised oat bin and withfeverish haste threw the oats up on one side and then said exultantly, "Here's something! Here they are!"

Leaning over the box, he drew forth a bundle of canes carefully tiedtogether and partly hidden from sight beneath the oats. 

"Are they all there?" demanded Will in a hoarse whisper. He hastilyinspected the bundle and then exclaimed, "Here's only a part of them, Foster!"

"Where some are it's likely there are more, " and Will at once resumedhis search. His efforts were speedily rewarded by the discovery ofanother bundle similar to the one that had already been found, and, dropping his scoop, he hastily began to count the canes. 

"Here they are!" he exclaimed joyfully. "Every last one of them ishere!"

"Then the sophs must have been to both places where we had them. "

"Yes, but it's all the better for us. We'll now be--"

Foster stopped abruptly as the farmer that owned the buildings appearedin the doorway and for a moment stared blankly at them. 

"Good morning, " said Will cheerfully. "We're here after these canes. "

"So I see, " replied the farmer. "The freshmans didn't find ye out, then?"

"It's all right, " responded Will glibly. "How much are we to pay you?"

"They paid me last night. I guess 'twas 'beout right. I don't wantnothin' more. "

"We've tumbled your hay over more than we thought, " said Will, as hethrust a bill into the man's hand. 

"I don't know 'beout it, " drawled the farmer, nevertheless thrusting themoney into his pocket. "Putty good pay, but I don't know but I might'swell take it. "

"Of course you're to take it!" said Will eagerly. "All we ask of you nowis not to tell anybody--anybody, " he added with special emphasis, "thatwe've taken the canes away. Don't tell any one of it or the whole gamewill be spoiled. "

"I'll be as mum as a hitchin' post. "

Without waiting for any further words the two boys seized the bundlesand at once departed from the barn. When they came out into the lanethey looked carefully about them in every direction, but no one could beseen and they soon came out into the open road. 

"What are we going to do with them now?" inquired Foster, as they haltedfor a moment. 

"We can't take them back to our rooms, " said Will. 

"No! No! That would never do. "

"I'll tell you, " said Will quickly. "Let's take them down to that oldbridge yonder, " pointing as he spoke toward a rude bridge that spannedthe stream not far away. 

"All right. Come along, then, " responded Foster. 

Instantly the two boys began to run and in a brief time arrived at therude structure, and after a hasty inspection they placed the two bundleson the piers beneath the bridge and then covered them with the driftwoodthat had been cast up on the bank of the stream when its waters had beenswelled by the passing storms. 

When their work was at last completed they departed for Winthrop andarrived just as the final strokes of the bell were given that assembledthe students in the chapel. They hastily passed in with the throng ofstudents and were in their seats in time to receive credit forattendance. 

As they passed out from the chapel when the service was ended they cameface to face with Mott and a group of sophomores, who evidently werewaiting for their appearance; but as neither Foster nor Will betrayedany emotion by the expression upon their faces it was impossible for thesophomores to perceive whether or not the canes had been discovered. 

There was no question about their opinions, however, when later in theday it was apparent that the sophomore class was possessed of a feelingof intense excitement. Parties were sent forth in various directions, and there was the keenest interest manifest in the entire college. Willand Foster, however, were too wise to relate their experiences to anyexcept to the three or four leaders of their class; and when night fell, by a circuitous route, and then only after a half-dozen parties had beensent out in other directions to mislead any of their rivals who might bewatching their movements, they proceeded to the bridge, secured thecanes, and bringing them safely back to the college under the protectingshelter of the darkness, distributed them among the members of theclass. 

Great was the elation of the freshmen when on the following morning theyformed in a body near the gymnasium just before the hour of morningprayers in the chapel and then marched to the service every one carryingin his hands one of the coveted sticks. 

The discomfited sophomores endured in silence the gibes of the students, and the exultant freshmen received the applause that greeted theirsuccess with an air that it is to be feared only served to increase thechagrin of their rivals. And Will Phelps and Foster were at once, and bya common though unspoken assent, awarded a place among the leaders oftheir class for their success. 

Of the parade that took place that day Will Phelps did not tire oftalking for many a week. The assembled crowd of students, townspeople, and visitors, the long line of freshmen in the parade and theirgrotesque appearance, the stirring music of a brass band at the head ofthe line, the march to the lower campus where the huge bonfire waskindled, the weird songs and dancing as in dual lines the two lowerclasses with joined hands leaped and danced about the blazing fire, andthen the final consignment to the flames of the huge wooden hatchet thathad been carried in the parade, were all incidents that duly impressedhim. And when at last the fires burned low and the final song was sung, and it was declared that the hatchet was buried forever and all feelingsof animosity between the lower classmen were at an end, the boysreturned to their rooms feeling that a well-earned victory had been won. 

The escapades were doubtless silly, and in after years brought a smileto the faces of the participants when they were then recalled, butnevertheless they had formed a part of the experiences of college lifeand had brought with them the development of certain qualities ofleadership which in other ways and in later days were to play no smallpart in the lives of Will Phelps and his room-mate. 

The coming of springtime in Winthrop was always an occasion of generalrejoicing. The hills were once more covered with their garments of greenand the valleys were beautiful in their verdure. Among the students atWinthrop there was usually a relaxing of effort then, but Will Phelps, though the effort cost him much, still held himself resolutely to histasks. He had been learning not merely what to study but also how tostudy, and in his spring vacation his father had explained to him thatthis was his supreme purpose and desire. If a man did not learn how towork while he was a student in college it was seldom the case that helearned it afterward. And Will had responded. His Greek was stilldistasteful to him, but he was doing somewhat better and was morecontent. 

The crowning ambition in Will's heart as we know was to secure a placeon the college track team. And he had been working quietly yetpersistently under the guidance of Wagner for the desired end. At last, early in May, came the trial meets of the college when the selectionsfor the team were to be made, and when Will donned his running suit andwent down to the track to all appearances he was calmer than hisroom-mate. But in his heart there was a feeling such as he had neverknown before. 

CHAPTER XXVII

CONCLUSION

It was a noisy crowd of students that assembled at the Winthrop athleticfield on that day early in May when the trials for the track team wereto be held. Keen as was the interest in baseball the interest in thetrack team was even keener, for hope was high among the students that achampionship team would be turned out and the competition among theeight colleges that composed the league was at fever heat. The mostformidable rival of Winthrop was Alden, and, as within the past fouryears each of the two colleges had won the championship twice, thecoming contest would decide the possession of the cup which theassociation had voted should be held in the permanent possession of thecollege which had won most of the meets within the limits of the fiveyears. 

Will Phelps was keenly excited although his movements were verydeliberate as he walked about the field clad in his running suit, overwhich he was wearing his bath robe. His desire to secure a place on theteam was so strong that he hardly dared face the possibility of afailure. The disappointments of the year would in a measure be atonedfor if only he might win the coveted honor. He had carefully followedthe instructions of Wagner, the captain of the team, who though, by hisphysician's orders was not to compete, was nevertheless deeplyinterested and for some reason had taken an especially strong liking toWill Phelps. Upon his advice Will had retired early the preceding nightand had secured a rest that made him now feel that if ever he was towin, the present opportunity was the supreme one. 

"Don't do your best in the heats, unless you have to, " said Wagner as heapproached Will on the field and stopped for a moment to chat with him. "Save your strength for the finals. "

Will smiled but did not reply. In his present state of mind he waswondering if he could run at any pace that was not his best. The eventswere being run off now and he was striving to become interested in them. Anything that would call his thoughts away from himself and his owncontest was to be desired, he thought. Foster had tried and failed towin a place and Peter John Schenck too had not been successful. Was hisown chance better than theirs? He could hardly believe that it was, andyet if determination could aid he knew that his lack, if he should befound wanting, would not be due to that cause. 

At last the supreme moment arrived and the call for the first heat inthe hundred yards dash was heard. Will's heart was beating furiouslywhen he cast aside his bath robe and tossed it to Foster who was waitingto receive it. His room-mate smiled encouragingly but was too wise tospeak and Will advanced to the line. He perceived that three others werewith him in the heat, but Mott, whom he most feared, was not among thenumber. That was a source of some consolation, and his hope increasedthat he might at least win a place in the finals. 

As the pistol was fired, Will darted forward from the line, but in amoment the runners were recalled and Will was penalized a yard for hisundue eagerness. Grimly he took his place this time a yard behind theline and when the start was again made he sped down the track as if hewas possessed of the speed of the wind. Easily he was the first to touchthe tape, but when unmindful of the cheers of his classmates he turnedaside to don once more his bath robe, Wagner approached and shaking hishead, laughed as he said, "You forgot what I told you, freshman. "

"What was that?"

"Not to run your best in the heat. You want something left for thefinals. "

"I couldn't help it, " said Will grimly. "What was the time?"

"Ten, two. "

Nothing more was said as they all turned to watch the runners in theother heats. Mott with apparent ease won his, and Ogden won the third. The final was to be run off between the three winners and Will stretchedhimself upon the grass to gain such rest as he could obtain before thesupreme test arrived. 

Other events were now run off and a half-hour elapsed before the finalheat was called. "You'll get your place on the team anyway, Will, " saidFoster encouragingly. 

"I'm not so sure of that. "

"I am. I heard Wagner say that three would be taken on the team for thesprints, and even if you come in last you'll be sure of a place. "

"I don't know. I don't want to come in last. "

"Don't, then, " laughed Foster as he reached forth his hand for hisroom-mate's bath robe. Once more Will stood on the line and this timethere would be no "sneaking, " he assured himself. Somehow the keennessof his previous excitement was gone now and he was almost as calm as ifhe had been a spectator and not a participant in the contest. He wasnone the less resolved to do his utmost and when the pistol at last wasfired he leaped from the mark with every nerve and muscle tense. Asilence rested over all as the three runners came swiftly up the track. Will could feel rather than see that he was ahead of Ogden, but Mott wasstill in advance of him, and do what he might he did not seem to be ableto cut down that yard by which Mott was leading. Swiftly the racers spedon and soon Will could see that the end of the course had almost beengained. Only fifteen yards remained to be covered, and then by onesupreme effort Will called upon all his reserve powers and with what thecollege paper afterward described as a "magnificent burst of speed, " hecut down Mott's lead and a moment later the two runners struck the tapeexactly together. 

A mighty shout arose from the assembled students and Foster and Hawleyboth of whom were usually so self-contained ran out and threw their armsabout the neck of their classmate. The enthusiasm increased when thetime was announced as "ten, one. " and Wagner came forward his facebeaming and his hand outstretched as he said: "You did it, freshman! Iknew you could, and I knew you would. "

Words of praise had never sounded sweeter in Will's ears. He had won aplace on the team and that coveted honor at least was his. 

His interest in the trials was mostly ended now and he returned to thedressing rooms, where he donned his ordinary garb and then rejoined hisfellows. Their congratulations were sweet in his ears and the veryappearance of the beautiful valley to him seemed to have changed. He hadwon and the stimulus of success was his. 

In the month that followed Will found himself excessively busy. He tookhis meals now with the team at the training table and every day therewas work to be done on the track. And it was hard work too. But thedemands were almost forgotten in the elation which filled the heart ofthe young student. His father's warm words of congratulation were prizedmost of all, but Will felt that he did not require the caution which hisfather gave him not to permit his success in athletics to interfere withhis work for the classroom. Even "Splinter's" demands had lost a part oftheir unreasonableness, or so it seemed to Will, and even the detestedGreek could be mastered under the glow of success that was his. 

At last the eventful day arrived when the meet between the colleges wasto be held. Will had worked so hard and so faithfully that he was notwithout hopes of winning some points for his college and he was awarehow much they were needed and how eager all the student body was thatthe cup might come to Winthrop. Mott was the only one who had appearedto be at all envious of him, but as Will had heard that the sophomorehad been careless in his training and there had been reports that Mottand Peter John had been drinking heavily again, he felt that he couldwell afford to ignore the slights. And in his heart he knew that he wassincere when he declared to himself that if he could not win he heartilywished that Mott might, for Winthrop would be the gainer in eitherevent. 

The team had been taken to the city where the meet was to be held, onthe day preceding the contest, and that night at the hotel Willendeavored again to follow the advice of Wagner and secure a good sleep. But his excitement and the novelty of his surroundings and thoughts ofthe impending meet were too keen to be entirely overcome by the youngfreshman, and on the following morning his heart was somewhat heavy andhis fears increased. 

When at last the hour arrived when the team, in a huge coach, was takento the field, a measure of calm had returned to him and as he looked outover the great assembly his interest became intense. Students from thevarious colleges had been assigned sections in the bleachers andstreamers and banners with the huge initial letter of the collegeemblazoned upon them were much in evidence. The colors of the competingcolleges were also to be seen among the spectators and with shouts andcheers and songs to be heard on every side Will felt that this was thesupreme moment of his life. He stood gazing at the inspiring sight untilhe felt a touch on his shoulder that caused him quickly to turn about. 

"Why, pop!" he exclaimed delightedly as he perceived who it was that hadtouched him. "I didn't have the remotest idea that you were here. "

"I had to come to see what my boy would do, " replied Mr. Phelps quietly. 

"I'm afraid you won't see much. "

"I shall see him do his best, and that's worth the trip. "

"Come on, freshman!" interrupted Mott approaching. "It's time to dress. "

Will grasped his father's hand for a moment and then hastened to followthe other members of the Winthrop team who were making their way totheir quarters. 

"Alden is going to win all the sprints, " said Mott glumly while theywere dressing. 

"If they're the best runners they will, " assented Will who despite hiseagerness was now in good spirits. 

"Wagner has figured it out and says if they do win the sprints they'lltake the cup. "

Will made no response though he knew that if Wagner had indeed saidthat, then the college would look to Mott and to himself to do theirbest. No praise would be too high if they should succeed, and no blametoo severe if they should fail. And his own determination and desire towin for a moment faltered. What could he in his first great contesthope to do?

The appearance of the team on the field was greeted by a wild shout fromthe Winthrop contingent. The team was cheered and every member of italso was cheered by name. The entire scene was certainly inspiring andWill's determination returned more strongly than before. The first eventwas the four hundred and forty yard dash in which Alden received firstand Winthrop second. In the one hundred and twenty yard hurdles theorder was reversed, and so the record continued through the two-twenty, the two-twenty hurdles, the eight hundred and eighty yards run. Thefield events were also being carried out at the same time and with verysimilar results. Alden was second in the shot put and Winthrop second inthe running high jump while neither scored in throwing the hammer nor inthe running broad jump. But again Winthrop was first in throwing thediscus, but Alden was first in the pole vault; and so the points scoredby each of the two rivals remained the same when at last came the trialsin the hundred yards dash, which as we know was the event in which WillPhelps and Mott were entered. The color had fled from Will's face and hewas hardly conscious of the shouts or presence of the great assemblywhen he advanced to the line, for he was to run in the first heat. Thirty-two men were entered for the race and there were to be six heats, only the winners in each to qualify for the finals. 

"You've nobody to fear here, " whispered Wagner encouragingly. "Take iteasy. "

"I'll have to come in first if I get in the finals. "

"Yes, but you can do it all right. "

Wagner slipped back and the seven young men took their places on theline. When the pistol was fired Will darted forward and held the leadall the way, touching the tape first of all. 

Wagner again was there to receive him and as Will fell into his arms heturned quickly and said. "What was the time?"

"They'll announce it in a minute, " replied Wagner compelling his friendto don his robe. When the time was announced as "ten three, " Will'sheart sank, but Wagner laughed gleefully as he said, "Good! That's theway to do it. You've got some reserve left. "

Will Phelps was not so confident, but he turned eagerly to watch theother contestants. Mott won his heat in ten two, each of two heats waswon by an Alden man in the same time, and the fifth heat was won by aman from a smaller college of whom no one expected much and who was butslightly feared. 

The mile run, the two mile run, and the half-mile were run off while thesprinters were waiting for their finals and the excitement becameintense when it was known that the score of Winthrop and Alden wasexactly the same. Everything now depended upon the result of the finalsin the hundred yards dash. 

"Phelps, you _must_ get it!" whispered Wagner whose face was as pale asthat of the freshman. Will did not reply and at once took his placebeside his four competitors. 

"On your marks!" called the starter, and the silence that rested overthe field became intense. 

"Get set!" A sigh seemed to rise from the assembly and all werestanding. 

"Go!" The crack of the pistol was heard and instantly the runners werespeeding down the track. 

The day was warm and Will Phelps could feel that his face was as wet asif he had plunged in the river. Never in all his young life had heexerted himself as then. The tread of the running feet on the trackseemed almost like that of one man. On and on they sped, no one lookingto the right or left. Whether he was winning or not, Will was unable todetermine. He knew that all five were "bunched, " for he could feel andhear the others near him. The deafening shouts and the shrill calls andcries sounded faint and dim in his ears. He could see the officialsstanding near the end of the course--an end that seemed far away for allthat the runners were so swiftly approaching. 

Nearer and nearer the runners drew and the shouts increased in violence. Every one in the assembly was standing erect and leaning forward, breathless with interest. Fifteen, ten, then only five yards remained. With one supreme effort Will darted ahead. He felt the tape, and notknowing whether he had won or not he plunged into the outstretched armsof Wagner. 

For a moment everything was dim about him and there was a sound as of aroaring in his ears. Then above the din he heard the wild shout of theWinthrop boys and he heard Wagner say, "The cup's ours, Phelps! We'vegot it! We've won it!"

"Was I first?" inquired Will simply. 

"No, second. "

"I don't see then. Who did win?"

"Crafts from Tech was first and you were second and the Alden manthird, " said Wagner hilariously. "You put us two points ahead of Alden!You've won your 'W' and we've got the cup!"

Before Will could respond a body of the Winthrop boys made a rush uponhim and lifting him upon their shoulders advanced to the middle of thefield followed by the entire body of their fellow-students. Then infantastic steps and winding column they marched about the field, singingtheir college songs and uniting in their college yell for the team andfor Phelps again and again. The interested spectators stopped andwatched the proceedings until at last the team returned to theirdressing rooms and the day was done. 

On the return to Winthrop Will was seated beside his father, and as theydrew near the college town Mr. Phelps, who was not to stop, but was atonce going home, said: "Well, Will, what of the year? It's done now. "

"Yes, " responded Will simply. "It's not been so bad. "

"What about the Greek?"

"Oh, Splinter's not half-bad either, " laughed Will. "I think I'll godown and see him before I come home. "

"I should. And you're not sorry that you didn't give up to Greek?"

"Not a bit. "

"And you think winning the 'hundred' to-day is worth it all?"

"It isn't that. It's the feeling that I haven't given up. Of course I'mglad to get my 'W' and I was mighty sorry not to get my numerals. Butthis makes up for it. I'm glad I won out for myself and more for thecollege. I tell you, pop, Winthrop is the best college in the world!"

"And you wouldn't like to leave now?"

"Leave? Well, I guess not!"

"I hear that Peter John is not to come back, " said Mr. Phelps soberly. 

"Why not?"

"I can't say. I don't even know that he is not to return. I have heardit, that's all; but I fancy you know more about it than I. "

Will was silent till the train was near Winthrop. "Well, Will, " said hisfather, breaking in, "I'm to leave you here. Do you want to know what Ivalue most in your year's work?"

"What is it?"

"That you've learned how to work. When a man learns that, much of theproblem of his life is solved. Some men run from hardness, some endureit, and some overcome it. "

"It hasn't been so hard. "

Mr. Phelps smiled but all he said was, "Good-bye, Will, we'll look foryou soon at home. I think you've made a good investment this year. "

"In what?" inquired Will in surprise. 

But his father only smiled and grasped his son's hand for a moment andsoon the train pulled out from the little station; but as long as thecrowd of students, noisy, boisterous, happy, could be seen as they movedup the street he watched them with shining eyes. Then as he resumed hisseat he thoughtfully said to himself, "Yes, Will has learned it. I didnot know for a time whether he would or not. But he has and I don'tthink Splinter, or Mott, or Peter John, or anything, or any one can takeit away from him now. "

And he resumed the reading of his evening paper, while the noisy trainsped on bearing him farther and farther from Winthrop, but the Winthropcollege boy was nearer to him all the time. 

THE END

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