Winning His W | Page 7

was to have his room.
"I'd like to know who's to be my room-mate," he said as all three turned
into the low entry and began to mount the worn stairway.
"Probably he's thinking of the same thing too," laughed Will. "Here you
are," he added as he stopped before the door of a room on the third
floor. "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 their
own age, who glanced quickly up from the box which he was
unpacking as they entered.
CHAPTER III
NEW FRIENDS AND NEW EXPERIENCES
"One of you, I fancy, is Schenck, who is to room here with me. I
haven't the remotest idea which one of you is the man, but whichever it
is I'm glad to see him."
The young man laughed heartily as he spoke, and all three of the
freshmen laughed in response so contagious was his good nature. But
his appearance was even more striking than his words, for he stood

before them like a young giant. He was at least six feet and three inches
in height, his shoulders were so broad that they made the very doorway
appear narrow, and as he stood before them without his coat and with
his shirt sleeves rolled back over his arms, the great knots of muscles
could be plainly seen. Altogether he presented a most impressive sight,
and his young classmates were duly impressed by his huge size and
evident physical strength.
"I'm Schenck," said Peter John, after a momentary hesitation.
"Glad to see you," exclaimed the young giant, stepping forward and
grasping his room-mate's hand in such a manner as to make Peter John
wince. "You know what my name is, I suppose. I'm Hawley. 'Cupe'
Hawley they called me in school because I was such a dainty and
delicate little specimen." And again his laughter broke forth. "Friends
of yours, Schenck?" he added, as he glanced inquiringly at the two
companions of his room-mate.
Will Phelps and Foster Bennett were at once introduced, and warmly
greeted their classmate.
"Sorry I can't offer you any seats, fellows," said Hawley, still laughing,
though there was no apparent cause for his enjoyment. "Haven't got
everything unpacked yet; but if you'll just wait a minute we'll find
something 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 in
unpacking their belongings, for neither had been accustomed to such
tasks in the homes from which they had come. Their fathers both were
well-to-do and it had not occurred to either of the boys that the manual
labor in settling their room was something to be expected of them. For
a moment Foster glanced quizzically at his friend as if he was puzzled
to account for his unexpected proffer, but knowing Will's
impulsiveness as he did he was quick to respond, and in a brief time the
few belongings of 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
carpets are luxuries anyway. If we feel like it we can buy one
afterwards. They're dangerous things though," and Hawley laughed as
he spoke. "My doctor says they're the worst sources of contagion in the
world, and whatever else I do I must be careful of my health." Again
the laugh of the young giant rang out, and in its contagion all three of
his classmates joined.
And yet as Will Phelps glanced about the room its appearance was
pitifully bare. The furniture was of the plainest, the walls were bare of
pictures, there were none of the numerous pillows and other tokens of
the warm regard of friends that had accompanied himself and his
room-mate into the new life upon which they had entered. Apparently,
however, Hawley was as delighted over his surroundings as he and
Foster over theirs, perhaps even more, and Will was thoughtful for a
moment as he silently watched his newly made friend.
"How did you happen to come to Winthrop?" he inquired at last when
the task of settling the room was measurably complete and all four had
seated themselves on the rude wooden chairs which made up most of
the furnishings of the room.
"I didn't 'happen' to come." Somehow everything appeared to be a
source of enjoyment to Hawley, and questions or remarks were alike