Winning His W | Page 9

sorry for is the one who has had and lost, not the one who never had.
Now look at Peter John, and Hawley. Their room isn't so good as ours,
but it probably is just as good as they expected, or have been used 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 have to
say."
"But it's the true way," said Will glibly. "There's one thing I'm mighty
glad of for Peter John's sake."
"What is it?"
"That he rooms with Hawley. I don't believe the sophs will bother him

very 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 on his
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 in that,
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 and
Napoleon were not big men, but I think you'd sum up that they were
great."
"Great butchers, if that's what you mean. You always spin it out too
fine for me, Foster."
Foster Bennett laughed and both boys entered their room to prepare for
dinner. They still were taking their meals at the hotel, as their
boarding-place had not been selected. In the thoughts of both it was a
selection of too much importance to be made hastily, and they were
therefore waiting until they became more familiar with the details of
their new life.

It was all novel and interesting, and on the following day the first class
meeting was held. A dignified junior presided at the meeting, and after
explaining what was expected and that the class officers to be selected
were to serve only for a month, when it was thought that the members
of the class would have become sufficiently acquainted with one
another to enable them to act with becoming wisdom, he called for
nominations 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
to the platform and stand where all the class could see him. The young
giant obediently advanced and taking his place beside Spencer, who
also was nominated for the office, awaited the verdict. There were
cheers when it was announced that Hawley had won, and the junior
then called for 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-mate
at once had seconded the nomination, and he was compelled to advance
to the platform and stand beside Farmer and McVey, whose names
were also presented for the same office. There was some confusion for
a time, but quiet 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 his
class, the choice having been made chiefly because his appearance, as
he stood on the platform, pleased his classmates, and not because of
any general acquaintance that had been formed. And yet his election
had brought him at once into a certain prominence, and doubtless Will
was duly appreciative of the honor bestowed upon him.
The member of the junior class to whom had been entrusted the

organizing of the freshmen now rose to give some general words of
advice before the meeting was adjourned. "There are some things in
college," he was saying, "that have the force of laws. Some of them
will appear foolish to 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 in the evening, it would be decidedly better for them not
to display on their caps or jersey the letters or numerals of the schools
from which they have come, and they must not tack their cards on the
doors of their rooms." Walker, the junior, continued his directions until
he thought he had covered most of the details of the life upon which the
incoming class was entering, but his remarks were not completed when
Peter John Schenck arose from his seat and stood facing the president.
There was a momentary pause as Walker ceased speaking, and the eyes
of all the class were turned toward