Walter Sherwoods Probation

Walter Sherwood's Probation

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Title: Walter Sherwood's Probation
Author: Horatio Alger
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*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WALTER
SHERWOOD'S PROBATION ***

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WALTER SHERWOOD'S PROBATION
BY
HORATIO ALGER, JR.
Author of "Facing the World," "Hector's Inheritance," "Helping
Himself," "Jack's Ward," Etc., Etc.,
CHAPTER I
WALTER SHERWOOD'S LETTER
"Here's a letter for you, Doctor Mack," said the housekeeper, as she
entered the plain room used as a library and sitting-room by her
employer, Doctor Ezekiel Mack. "It's from Walter, I surmise." This was
a favorite word with Miss Nancy Sprague, who, though a housekeeper,
prided herself on having been a schoolmistress in her earlier days.
"Indeed, Nancy. Let me see it. Walter is really getting attentive. His last
letter came to hand only two days since. He hasn't forgotten his old
guardian."
"Oh, no, sir. He'll never do that. He has a predilection for his old home.

His heart is in the right place."
"Just so. I wish I felt as sure about his head."
Doctor Mack adjusted his spectacles, for he was rising sixty, and his
eyes required assistance, and opened the letter. As he read it his
forehead contracted, and he looked disturbed. A perusal of the letter
may help us to understand why. It ran as follows:
"DEAR GUARDIAN: You will be surprised at hearing from me so
soon again, but I am really forced to write. I find college life much
more expensive than I supposed it would be. A fellow is expected to
join two or three societies, and each costs money. I know you wouldn't
have me appear mean. Then the students have been asked to contribute
to a fund for the enlargement of the library, and almost every day there
is a demand for money for one object or another. As it is nearly the end
of the term, I calculate that with a check for an extra hundred dollars I
can get along. I am awfully sorry to ask for it, but it will come out of
the money father left me, and I am sure he would wish me to keep up
appearances, and not fall behind the rest of the boys.
"I stand fairly well in my studies, and I expect to be stroke oar of the
college boat club. Besides this, I have been elected catcher of the
college baseball club. I am thought to excel in athletic sports, and really
enjoy my college life very much. Please send me the check by return of
mail. Affectionately yours, WALTER."
Doctor Mack laid the letter on the table, and slowly removed the
glasses from his nose.
"One hundred dollars!" he repeated. "That is the second extra check he
has written for, this term. Then his regular term bills will come due in
two weeks. He is spending more than three times as much as I did
when in college. Forty years have made a difference, no doubt, but not
so great a difference as that. I hope the boy isn't falling into extravagant
habits. I care for that more than for the money. His father left a good
fortune, of which fact he is unfortunately aware, but I don't mean that it
shall spoil him. Now, what shall I do. Shall I send him the check or

not?"
Doctor Mack leaned back in his chair, and thought busily. He felt
anxious about his ward, who had entered college early and was now
only seventeen. Walter Sherwood was a boy of excellent talent and
popular manners, but he was inclined to be self-indulgent and had a
large