Walter Sherwoods Probation | Page 4

if he wasn't so rich."
"So he is rich, then?"

"He must be, for he spends a good deal of money. Pendleton, one of his
classmates, told me that he spent more money than any one in the
class."
"That is why he needs so many extra checks," thought the guardian
soberly.
"I am sorry he doesn't make better use of his privileges," he said aloud.
"Yes, sir, it is a pity. If he didn't care so much for a good time he might
stand at the head of his class--so Pendleton thinks."
"If he were a poor boy, now, you think the result would be different?"
asked Doctor Mack, thoughtfully.
"Yes, sir, I have no doubt of it."
"When does the supper commence?"
"At half-past eight o'clock."
"How long will it keep up?"
"Till near midnight. The landlord makes it a point to have them close
before twelve. I hope they won't disturb you, sir."
"Are they likely to make much noise?"
"Well, sir, they make speeches, and do a good deal of singing. Then,
college songs are naturally noisy."
"Yes, so I hear."
"What is the number of your room?"
"Number nine."
"Why, you are nearly opposite the room where they will have their
supper. I am afraid you won't stand much chance of sleeping early."

"Oh, never mind! I shall get an idea of what a college supper is like."
"So you will. If you open the transom over your door you will have the
full benefit of all that goes on."
"That will suit me very well," thought Doctor Mack.
"If you would like to be farther away, the landlord would no doubt
change your room."
"Oh, no," said the doctor hastily. "It will suit me very well for once to
listen to college songs and get an idea of how college boys enjoy
themselves."
"A very sensible old gentleman!" thought James Holden. "Some men of
his age would make a fuss."
A little before the time when the students were expected to arrive
Doctor Mack shut himself up in his room, taking care to open the
transom. He had ascertained from the young man, his informant, that
supper had been engaged for twelve, and that the price charged per
plate was two dollars and a half, all to be paid by Walter Sherwood.
"That makes thirty dollars," he reflected. "No wonder Walter writes for
extra checks. I wonderin this thirty dollars is to figure as a contribution
to the library?"
From his window he could see the students as they approached the
hotel. Finally he caught sight of Walter, with a college friend on each
sides with whom he was chatting gaily.
"What a change!" thought Doctor Mack. "It seems only yesterday that
Walter started for college, a bashful, unformed boy, full of good
resolutions, and determined to distinguish himself in scholarship. Now
he has become a gay butterfly. And, what is worse, he has learned to
deceive his old guardian, and his chief aim seems to be to have a good
time. What can I do to change his course?"

The good doctor's face assumed a thoughtful look.
"I can tell better after what I shall hear to-night," he said to himself.
It was not long before the guests were all assembled and the feast was
to begin.
Some one rapped for attention, and then Doctor Mack recognized the
voice of his young ward.
"Gentlemen," he said, "I am glad to welcome you to this festal board.
After spending ten or a dozen hours in hard study"--laughter and
applause--"we find it pleasant to close our books, to relax our learned
brows"--more laughter--"and show our appreciation of the good things
of life. As Horace, your favorite, says"--I won't insult you by offering
to translate his well-known words--_"dulce est desipere in loco_. That
is what has brought us here to-night We want to _desipere in loco._"
"So we do! Good for you!" exclaimed one and another.
"I regret," Walter continued, "that all the professors have declined my
urgent invitation to be present on this occasion. Professor Griggs"--the
professor of mathematics--"said he would not break away from his
regular diet of logarithms and radicals." Great laughter. "I have
expressly requested Mr. Daniels to provide no logarithms to- night.
They don't agree with my constitution."
"Nor with mine!" "Nor with mine!" echoed one and another.
"I shall expect you all, after the banquet, to do something for the
general entertainment. I stipulate, however, that none of the company
address us in Latin or Greek."--"We won't!" "We won't!"--"Sufficient
for the recitation-room is the evil thereof. But I have spoken long
enough. There are times when silence is golden, and one of those times
is at hand. Brethren, the feast awaits you! Pitch in!"
The speaker took his seat, and then there was