Walter Sherwood's Probation Read online

  "Something must be done!" reflected Doctor Mack. "Desperate diseasesrequire desperate remedies."

  Again the chairman rapped for order, and again Walter's voice was heard.

  "Brothers," he said, "the material part of our banquet is ended. We havegratified our appetites with the savory dishes provided by our friendDaniels. We have quaffed the rare Falernian wine, of a vintage unknownto Horace; we have quickened our wits, as I trust, under those favorableconditions, and the time has now come for the feast of reason and theflow of soul. Exhausted as we are by our labors in the classroom"--greatlaughter--"we have sought refreshment in the way that is most agreeable.It's a way we have at old Euclid! Sing!"

  Immediately the assembled company started up the well-known collegesong:

  "It's a way we have at old Euclid, It's a way we have at old Euclid, It's a way we have at old Euclid, To drive dull care away. It's a way we have at old Euclid, It's a way we have at old Euclid, To drive dull care away.

  "And we think it is no sin, sir, To take the Freshmen in, sir, And ease them of their tin, sir, To drive dull care away. It's a way we have at old Euclid, It's a way we have at old Euclid, To drive dull care away."

  There were other verses, but these will serve as specimens. All joinedin the chorus, and Doctor Mack, who remembered his own college life,felt almost tempted to add his voice to those of the young men in theopposite room.

  "But, pshaw!" he thought. "What would Walter and his friends think tohear an old graybeard like me taking part in the convivial songs? Thereis no great harm in singing college songs, if it is accompanied by goodwork in the recitation-room."

  "Brothers," resumed Walter, "we will do our best to drive dull careaway. Let us forget, this happy evening, that there are such things aslogarithms, and sines, and tangents, and Greek tragedies. To-night ourhearts shall be uplifted by sentiment and song. Brother Corbett, youwill oblige us with 'Rumsty Ho!'"

  A young man with a pleasant voice sang this song, one unfamiliar to thedoctor:

  "A beggar man laid himself down to sleep, Rumsty Ho! rumsty Ho! A beggar man laid himself down to sleep By the banks of the Mersey, so high and steep, Rumsty Ho! rumsty Ho!

  "Two thieves came walking by that way, Rumsty Ho! rumsty Ho! Two thieves came walking by that way, And they came to the place where the old man lay, Rumsty Ho! rumsty Ho!

  "They stole his wallet and they stole his staff, Rumsty Ho! rumsty Ho! They stole his wallet and they stole his staff, And then broke out in a great horse-laugh, Rumsty Ho! rumsty Ho!"

  There was more of this song, too. Next came "Crambambuli," and then"Cocach-lunk" both of which were familiar to the doctor.

  Then Walter said: "Brothers, I have great pleasure in stating thatProfessor Griggs has concluded to honor our dinner by his learnedpresence, and has consented to address us. Permit me to introduceProfessor Theophilus Griggs."

  One of the company had made up as the mathematical professor. In a nasaltone he made a rambling speech, in which he introduced mathematicalallusions, and used some of the favorite phrases of the rather dulland prosy instructor, with whom all the students were familiar, some totheir sorrow. It seemed to be very amusing to the boys present, as shownby their hearty laughter, but of course Doctor Mack could not appreciateit.

  Other songs and other speeches followed. Though for the most partcollege songs, there were some of a more serious character. Time slippedby, and at length Doctor Mack saw by his watch that it was half-pasteleven.

  "How long will they keep it up, I wonder?" he asked himself. "I feeldrowsy."

  He was answered by the chairman.

  "Brothers," he said, "time waits for no man. The hour has arrived when,according to agreement, we must wind up our festivities. Hand in hand wewill sing 'Auld Lang Syne,' hoping, at some auspicious season after thecoming vacation is over, to have another good time. I thank you all foraccepting my invitation, and hope you have enjoyed yourselves."

  "Three cheers for Sherwood!" cried one of the company.

  They were given with a will. Then the parting song was sung, and thestudents retired to their rooms in one of the college dormitories.

  Doctor Mack went thoughtfully to bed.

  "It is well I came," he reflected. "Walter has done nothing decidedlywrong as yet, but it is evident he is not improving."

  "Well," said James Holdens as he met Doctor Mack the next morning, "didyou hear the boys last night?"

  "I couldn't very well help it," answered the doctor, smiling. "Thatyoung Sherwood seems to be very popular."

  "Yes, sir; he is very free with his money."

  "In what other way does he spend it?"

  "Mr. Daniels keeps half a dozen horses to let to students and others.Sherwood hires a team at least twice a week, and of course it countsup."

  "I was not able to spend money in that way when I attended college."

  "Then you are a college graduate?" said Holden.

  "Yes."

  "Did you graduate at Euclid?"

  "No; I am a Yale man."

  "I congratulate you, sir; I should like to graduate from Yale.

  "I hope you may, some time, my young friend. You would derive morebenefit, I'll be bound, than those young roysterers of last evening."

  "I hope they didn't keep you awake, sir."

  "They certainly did as long as they stayed. I should have gone to bedsoon afterward, but that I had something on my mind. By the way, don'tmention to any of the students that they had an unseen listener."

  "No, sir."

  Doctor Mack took the first train after breakfast, and returned to hishome without seeing his ward.

  Nancy Sprague questioned him eagerly.

  "And how is Master Walter?" she asked.

  "Very well, indeed, Nancy."

  "Was he surprised to see you?"

  "He didn't see me, Nancy."

  "He didn't see you!" ejaculated the housekeeper.

  "No; the fact was, I went away on a matter of business, and it was notconvenient to call on Walter. But I heard him."

  "I don't see how you could have been near him without seeing him."

  "I shall see him soon, Nancy, and so will you. In two weeks vacationwill be here. Examinations are near, and I might have interfered withhis studies," the doctor added, with a little innocent evasion.

  "To be sure, sir! To be sure! I make no doubt Master Walter is a greatscholar."

  "I have very strong doubts on that point myself," thought Doctor Mack,but he did not care to express himself thus to Nancy.

  "I am so glad the dear boy is coming home soon," murmured thehousekeeper. "He has been studying so hard he needs a good long rest. Iwill make some cookies expressly for him after he comes. I don't believehe gets any at college."

  "I wonder what Nancy would say if she could have seen Walter presidingat the supper, and heard the songs?" thought Doctor Mack.

  CHAPTER IV

  THE DAY AFTER THE FEAST

  The same morning, in a comfortably furnished room in Simpson Hall, sat,or rather lounged, Walter Sherwood.

  "I feel sleepy this morning, Gates," he said to his chum. "I can't fixmy mind on this confounded logic."

  "No wonder, Sherwood. You have good reason to be tired after lastevening."

  "That's so! We had a good time, though. I am sorry you couldn't acceptmy invitation."

  "I couldn't afford it, Sherwood. You know we are very differentlysituated. You are rich, while I am the oldest son of a country minister,with all I can do to get through college. As it is, I shall be in debt."

  "Why not be in debt to me? You never would accept anything from me."

  "Yes, I did. I have let you go to the entire expense of furnishing thisroom, though I have an equal share in it."

  "Oh, that's nothing! You pay me in helping me through my lessons whenI am behind. If
you hadn't read my Horace to me the other day I shouldhave flunked as sure as can be."

  "It would be better for you to get your own lesson, Walter."

  "Well, I suppose it would," answered his roommate, yawning. "I wish youcould drive this logic into my head. I suppose I am unusually stupidthis morning."

  "Suppose we go over it together."

  Fifteen minutes later Walter said complacently: "Thanks, old fellow; youhave made it as plain as a pikestaff."

  "And very likely you will get a higher mark at the recitation than I."

  "Well, perhaps so," laughed Walter. "I suppose it is because I have morecheek than you."

  "You can do better on slight preparation, certainly. You talk like aprofessor when you are on your feet."

  "You want to be a professor some time, Gates, don't you?"

  "Yes," answered his chum, his face flushing, "I should be proud tobecome a professor in old Euclid."

  "It would be awfully slow, I think," returned Walter, stifling a yawn.

  "What then, is your ambition?"

  "I want to go out among men. I want to take an active part in theworld."

  "You will have to work harder than you do in college, then."

  "I suppose I shall. But I am young, Gates. I am only seventeen."

  "And I am nineteen, and look twenty-one."

  "All the better! The older you look the better, If you are going to bea college instructor. I would have to wait a long time if I wanted to,even if I were a good deal wiser than I am now. I am so young, in short,that I can afford to have a good time."

  "It seems to me that is all you think of, Sherwood."

  "Oh, well, I'll reform in time and become a sober old duffer like you,"and Walter Sherwood laughed carelessly.

  "I hope, at any rate, that you will change your views of life. You knowwhat Longfellow says: 'Life is real! Life is earnest!'"

  "Oh, yes, I know that by heart. But it's no use, Gates, you can't makean old man of me before my time. Will it disturb you if I play a tune ortwo on my violin?"

  "Well, to tell the truth, it will. I want to get my Greek lesson, andyou had better do the same."

  "No, I will read a novel, and you can read over the Greek to me when youhave dug it out."

  "I will if you wish, but I am afraid I am spoiling you by doing yourstudying for you."

  "Remember, I was out late last night."

  "You have something almost every evening, Walter."

  "Oh, well, I'll turn over a new leaf next term."

  "Why not begin now?"

  "If you knew how stupid I feel you wouldn't ask."

  Walter stretched himself out on a comfortable lounge, and took up anew novel which he had partially read, while Gates spread the big Greeklexicon on the study-table, and opening his Aristophanes, began slowlyand laboriously to translate it into English.

  Fifteen minutes passed when a knock was heard at the door.

  "Come in!" called out Walter.

  He looked up eagerly, hoping the visitor might prove to be one of hisjovial comrades of the night before. But he did not look so well pleasedwhen, as the door opened, he caught sight of the pudgy figure and shrewdface of Elijah Daniels, the proprietor of the Euclid Hotel.

  "Good morning, Mr. Daniels." he said, rather apprehensively. "So youhave found me out."

  "No, I have found you in," returned the landlord, with a smile. "I hopeI don't intrude upon, your studies, young gentlemen."

  "Well, I am taking a little rest from my labors," said Walter.

  "You were up rather late last evening, Mr. Sherwood."

  "That's a fact, and you gave us a first-class supper, Daniels. You didyourself proud."

  "I did my best, Mr. Sherwood, and I am glad you were satisfied."

  "All the fellows praised the supper."

  "That's good. I know what you young gentlemen like, and I get it, nomatter what it costs. I don't make much on the suppers I give thecollege boys, but of course I like to please them."

  "Your price is quite reasonable, I think."

  "I am glad you do. I have brought in the bill for last night'sentertainment, and if you can let me have the money, I shall be glad."

  "Well, the fact is, Daniels, I haven't got the money by me thismorning."

  The landlord's countenance changed.

  "I like prompt pay," he said. "It is a good deal of trouble, and, as Isaid, there isn't much money to be made."

  "That's all right. You won't have to wait long."

  "How long, Mr. Sherwood?"

  "I expect a check for a hundred dollars from my guardian to-day. I wrotethree days since, for I knew you wouldn't like to wait."

  "A hundred dollars!" repeated the landlord, feeling a little easier inmind.

  "Yes."

  "Perhaps your guardian may object to sending it."

  "Oh, no! He's a nice old fellow, Doctor Mack is. He is very indulgent."

  "What name did you mention?

  "Doctor Mack. Ezekiel Mack."

  "Indeed! Why, we had a gentleman stopping at the hotel last night ofthat name."

  "What!" ejaculated Walter, in astonishment. "Do you mean to tell me thatDoctor Mack--my guardian--was at the hotel last night? It can't be. Hewould have called on me."

  "It may not have been the same man. Now I come to think of it, he didn'tput himself down on the book Doctor Mack. He just put himself down E.Mack. He seemed a plain sort of man."

  "Where did he register from?" asked Walter eagerly.

  "From Albany."

  "Is he at the hotel now?"

  "He went away by the morning train."

  "Then it couldn't have been he," said Walter, in a tone of relief. "Hedoesn't live in Albany. Besides, he would have called on me. No, it musthave been some other Mack."

  "Perhaps you wouldn't have liked to have him catch you at a gay supper,Mr. Sherwood?" said the landlord shrewdly.

  "Well, no, I'd a little rather receive him in my room, with a book openbefore me."

  "He might object to pay out money for such doings."

  "He won't know anything about it. Just leave your bill, Mr. Daniels, andas soon as I get the check I'll call round and pay it."

  "There's another bill, too, a livery bill. I brought that along, too."

  "How much is it?" asked Walter anxiously.

  "Eighteen dollars."

  "I didn't think it was as much as that!"

  "Bills mount up faster than you young gentlemen think for. I suppose,however, you can afford to pay it?"

  "Oh, yes!" said Walter carelessly.

  "Your uncle may think it rather steep, eh?"

  "I wrote him that I had some extra expenses this time."

  "Then I suppose you can't do anything for me this morning?"

  "No, Daniels; just leave both bills, and I feel quite sure that I canpay you in a day or two. I suppose you can change a check?"

  "I'll manage to."

  The landlord retired, leaving the bills behind him.

  "Do you know, Sherwood," said his chum gravely "I think you arefoolishly extravagant."

  "Well, perhaps I am."

  "You are spending three times as much as I am."

  "I'll do better next term. I wish my guardian would hurry along thatcheck."

  Two days later a letter came for Walter in the familiar handwriting ofDoctor Mack. He tore it open hastily, and as he read it he turned paleand sank into a chair.

  "What's the matter?" asked Gates.

  "Matter enough!" answered Walter, in a hollow voice. "My money is lost,and I've got to leave college!"

  CHAPTER V

  WALTER TAKES MATTERS PHILOSOPHICALLY

  Walter's announcement, recorded at the close of the preceding chapter,fell like a thunderbolt on his room-mate.

  "You have lost your money?" repeated Gates, in a tone of incredulity."You don't mean it!"

  "Read that letter, Gates," said Walter, pushing it over to his chum.

  The letter was, of course, from Doctor Mack, and ran t
hus:

  "DEAR WALTER: Your letter asking for an extra check for one hundreddollars came to hand three or four days since. I have delayed answeringfor two reasons. I am satisfied that you are spending more money than isnecessary, and, moreover, I have shrunk from communicating to yousome unpleasant intelligence. Upon me have devolved the investment andmanagement of your property, and while I have tried to be cautious,there have been losses which I regret. In one case three-fourths of aninvestment has been lost. Of course, you didn't know this, or you wouldhave been less free in your expenditures.

  "I am not prepared to tell you how you stand. I think it will be prudentfor you to leave college at the end of this term, and for a year to seeksome employment. During that time I will do what I can to settle matterson a better footing, and perhaps at the end of that time you will beable to return to your studies. You are so young--I think you must beyounger than the majority of your classmates--that you can afford tolose the time.

  "I send you a check for sixty dollars in place of a hundred. I wish youto have your regular term bills sent to me, and I will forward checksin payment. I will see that you leave Euclid owing no man anything. Whenyou come home for the vacation we can consult as to the future. I hopeyou will not be much depressed or cast down by the news I send. Yourmoney is not all lost, and I may be able, in the course of twelvemonths, to recover in a large measure what has been sunk.

  "Your affectionate guardian, EZEKIEL MACK."