Richmond Palladium (Daily), Volume 36, Number 38, 17 December 1910 — Page 2

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I OUR SflQRT STOKT BMW. I i DIPLOMAS i aMNrv I "Y Jean!- crltd Mrs. Pearson, ti she "i - f iZJ-' 11 V LAZi J J Vf rponded to the bell. "This it a 4 " vSTV V pleasant surprise." Q f ' 1 It was a surprise to which she must I " w """TJ "i"" f(0 p. hare been growing accustomed, for I v4l fxVjV V i J" J Ellahfth and I bachelor maidens. U f IVL ,J V

responded to tbe bell. pleasant surprise." It was a surprise to whkh she must have been growing accustomed, for 'Elisabeth and I bachelor maidens. and fiercely Independent as became our at a to at 1 11 craved the companionship of an older, wiser woman and tbe magic of a home. We found them all at the Pearson', and we spent our disengaged Sunday and generally an evening or so a week in tbe haven of serenity which they bad contrived by tilling tbe drawing-room and tbe dining-room of their, flat with low chairs, deep and soft; a flood of pillows; a few divans; n piano; some prints; some lamps, and the war incut, kindliest, most genuine hospitality to be found within a ten-mile radius of the campus. There was no surer help In times of trouble; no heartier congratulations In times of Joy; no steadier friendship than the Pearsons gave to such of us as were so fortunate as to know them. Trouble and responsibility seemed to touch them only through their friends, yet I knew, nud so did Elizabeth, that It was n hazardous and spirit-wearing task to maintain two, sniAll children ami an open house upon the salary attached to an assistant professorship. "I think," she went on, as she closed the door and led us Into the tobacco-clouded living room, "that you ought to know everybody here. They're all college people. I'm not speaking of Billy Blight," she amended, as tbe tall figure of that young man, with a twin Pearson clinging to each leg, arose to salute us, "you ought not to know him, of course, but I'm afraid you do." "What's he been doing?" asked Elizabeth, when we had greeted tbe other members of tbe party and taken our places upon a big divan. "He's abused our hospitality," Mrs. rear son answered. "You know how we've given him the freedom of our new house, the 'Castle in Spain How we're let htm wander about from room to room and look out of all the windows. Ton know how I even promised to let blm, paint frescoes on the nursery walls." "Good, safe place that," laughed Marthana Carruth. "The babies are too young to say what they think." "But I must protest." said Professor Berger, a dear old chap from Jena who had come to study American Institutions, and whom "rrexy" had shifted to Pearson's rare for the afternoon. "It Is important to the vitals that tbe young eye of tbe child shall not distorted be." "Of course, of course," agreed all of us who retained the power of speech. Pearson did his young guest the Justice and the honor to say: "Young Blight hns won more medals nnd created more beauty than many an artist twice ills age." . , , "But that does not excuse him," Mrs, Tearson interrupted. "Ills art may be good, but bis manners .are rtroclous. You know, dears." she went on, "how I've kt him play billiards in tbe billiard room and read in the library." Wt assured her that we did know. Billy had enJoyed, even as Elisabeth and I had, free range of the blue prints from the architect's plana for the Pearson's proposed house at West Farms. Mrs. rearson got the plans and spread them for our Inspection. "See whst he's doner she cried dramatically. "Oh! that too bad of him." cried Elizabeth. "Marthana, Mr. Rollins, do come and see what Billy Blight's done to the very best bedroom In the house." We gathered round her, and there we read across the fair space of tbe room over the library : "Ueserved for the exclusive use of William Blight, Esquire." "Oh. really, Billy, that is too bad of you,"' I cried. That's the room I fixed on for myself." -An I," said Elizabeth. - , -And I." echoed Marthana. -And we,? said ' Mrs., Pen r son. v. "That's right; butting In. all of you." growled Billy. -No privacy, even In n chap's own room. I'll not visit you at all. Tbe luhospitallty and tbe selfishness with which I bare been treated this day are the last two straws ":',-,-. jf - At that Jobn came In. John is John Wentwortb. Professor of Philosophy at our college, and my promised husband, lie Is younger than Mr. Pearson, but the two are great friends, and I think that It Is partly on this nccouut that Mrs. Pearson is so good to me. She knows that I shall some day be a faculty wife, and she already treats me with the confidence and friendship which characterize most of the men and women who supply the mental grist to our mill. They are nearly all young; they are all ambitious; and they are more Independent than stich a body generally la because "Prexy" la so much away from tbe college, lie is our publicity man every institution in these Says must hare one and be Is always off lecturing, attending conferences, serving on commissions, getting us new trustees or endowments. This leaves the ordinary, day-by-day, administration of affairs in the hands of the other professors and brings them Into frequent and Intimate association with one another. So when John bad smoked a quiet pipe and entertained our Germanic friend for half an hour, It swmed quite uatural that Mr. Pearson and he should estreat to a tiny room, called by courtesy the study, la which our host kept a few books and bones. Pearson's specialty was zoology. Presently Mrs. Tearson Ud I were summoned to Join them, and Professor Berger was left to be amused and mystified by tbe youngsters. -Dear friend, said Mrs. Pearson, when the door ran closed, -we bare c news. Tou know bow long we're had those plans and yrt bow far we Named from laying the corner-stone, so to speak." .' -Of course they do, dear," Tearson Interrupted. "Don't tbey know wVre always spoken of It as tbe Cast! la BpalnT "Blass it," cried tfca future chatelaine. 4 t -Well" coo tinned Pearson, and his earnest face and a little break la bis voice made the words beautiful

to us who were so fond of him, "I see my way clear at last, and I've signed the contract. I'm to pay for the castle In two years. If we're careful " "Oh! we shall be careful," cried his wife. "We may own It all in eighteen months." Of course we congratulated them Jubilantly, and Pearson went on: "It's all on account of that course of zoology which the president Is listed to conduct. I'm to have that next year. He spoke of it last week. That will raise me to a full professorship. My salary will Increase by $2,000. I shall be the head of the science department, and just about the proudest and happiest fellow between here and Tiinbuctoo." Again we tumultuously congratulated him. "And It Isn't only that," be went on, "not only tbe money, though God knows that will be welcome enough; not the house, though that will be precious enough; not the position, though that will be fine enough. But It's tbe work. Tbe chance. A great big chance to do great big work. I'll make the department a wonder. I'll make the chaps in other universities aye, and In other countries, like that Berger there I'll make 'em sit up and take notice. And the students I'll turn out!" "No, Robert," cried bis wife, taking bis hand in hers, "you'll never turn out any students at alt. You'll get so attached to them and so interested in in m III X u 'The Routine of Our Daily Lives was Upset by John's Arrival in the Afternoon.'' them, and they'll get so deroted to you that you'll all stay there together, one great happy family dabbling In tbe Internal workings of the animal .kingdom. What makes you look so serious, Marian? she asked suddenly, turning to me. "What's the matter, child?" "I'm thinking how I should love to be there," I answered. ' "But I was born too- soon,' . I'm a senior you know, and all these plans are for next year when I shan't be there. And wq're having tuch an awful time. 'Prexy' away and tbe most horrible substitute doing the work." They all knew that we suffered under Dr. Archibald. He was unquestionably learned, but he was no less unquestionably Incapable of Imparting bis learning. His lectures came late In the afternoon of Monday, Thursday and Friday a bad time for even a proficient Instructor, but fatal to a bad one. Everyone was always Ured, and weariness, acting on our natures in different ways, reduced the senior class to a mixture of Irritability, frivolity, physical exhaustion. Indifference and animosity. Dr. Archibald's platitudinous statements fell upon this remarkably bad ground and bore fruit sometimes in an inattentive lassitude, contagious, overwhelming and Impenetrable, and sometimes In acrimonious criticism or rotort leading to general uproar. Now, neither Elizabeth nor I cared very much whether we made our eYftut in the world learned or unlearned in zoology. We were students in the art department, and the course was prescribed for us as a sort of groundwork in general structure and anatomy. We never expected to teach the thing, and to us our marks In It, whether for themes- or even for the final examination looming toward us at tbe end of the year, mattered very little. But the case of tbe majority of the students was very different. They expected, most of them, to fill positions as superintendents, principals, teachers, and even professors, and IKwslbly their diplomas but surely their ability to pass a creditable general examination would be Influenced by their knowledge or Ignorance of the natural sciences. All these things they thought sbout while Archibald read to us his musty lectures, and laid waste foar and a half precious hours a week. Things were at this pass when peripatetic lecturer named Thornycroft bloomed out one day on the

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bulletin board with announcements of an extension lecture on "Embryonic Traits." It was one of those popular illuminated and illuminating things which, the board of trustees arranged for us from time to time, "rrexy" returned from a two months absence Just in time to preside, and the thing was a great success. It was one of a course of three to be delivered at varying Intervals, and It dawned upon one of the Interfering "eds" to write "rrexy" a petition to engage Thornycroft to take our zoilogy class for the rest of tbe year. There was no definite criticism of Archibald, but the implication was there. We were all delighted at the prospect ; we all signed the petition and awaited results. "Prexy" had always been strong on public sentiment and "the pulse of tbe student body." He used to harangue the other men about tbe authority of ro poputi. He, who never stayed with us long enough to hear It. It was two or three weeks after this that the routine of our dally lives was upset by John's arrtval In tbe afternoon, while Elizabeth and I were wrestling with the "Life and Times of Leonard! da Vinci." John hardly ever came to see me in the afternoon, and his face, as Margaret ushered him into tbe little drawing-room, was so grave that Elizabeth prepared to beat a retreat. ! "I want to. talk to you botfi," he began, when we had established him in the Morris chair. "I have sent for Billy Blight; he'll be here presently. There's something very serious in the air." "Has Billy broken out again?" I questioned. John shook his head. "More serious, far," he answered, and just at that moment Billy's boots resounded in our hall. "What's up?" he questioned, with instant concern when be saw our gravity. "I'm afraid rearson's chance Is up," John answered. "I've seen it coming on for two or three weeks ever since 'Prexy came back. But now I'm afraid it's certain." "His chance?" repeated Elizabeth. "I mean his promotion his increase everything. I'm going to tell you three two of you the wildest youngsters in the college, and the third the wisest and dearest a grave faculty secret. My reason is that we four are perhaps the best friends the Tearsons have, and they'll be needing friendship, I'm afraid. You know about that petition to the president. Well, he acted upon it, and Thornycroft has consented on cbnditlon that he be given full professorship next year and be made head of the science department. Now Tearson has never had a definite agreement with the president or the trustees. He was acting entirely on his own responsibility, when he made so' sure of It. There is no reason under the sun why Thornycroft's proposition should not be accepted. He is better known than Tearson. Ills titles will read well in the catalogue." "But haven't you," I asked, "all of you who appre-. elate Mr. Pearson, haven't you remonstrated with Trexy'?" "He ought to have his face pushed," contributed Billy. ' ' ' "Surely, surely," answered John. "We've said all tbat's possible, but the president, when he is riding his rox popull, vox dei hobby is not amenable to arguments. It looks very much as if the thing would go through. "And the 'Castle in Spain,' " wailed Elizabeth. "The darling 'Castle In Spain.'" "Will stay in Spain, I fear," said John, as he rose and put on his overcoat. "I must get back to a lecture. It's not the first time the rox populi has incited murder." For some time after John left us Elizabeth, Billy and I sat in despair. We were sitting dejectedly over the tea and cake which Margaret's hospitality had provided when there entered the one person 'n tbe world whom we were least prepared to face. "Mrs. Pearson, Miss Marian," Margaret announced, and before we could gather our scattered wits she was looking at us out of her friendly, unsuspecting eyes, and seating herself, cozily assured of welcome. "It i luck finding you here," she assured Billy. "I .was going to write you a line to-night. For yoj three dear children and John, of course, Marian must come to Spain on Saturday week for tbe laying of the corner-stone. The 'castle is actually going up." "My God." murmured Billy. , "Stop your profanity, sir," she chided. "I can't imagine what your parents or guardians were thinking of to let you acquire it." ' My throat was actually stiff, but in the dusk I managed to squeeze it and to force myself into some kind of articulation. "Of course we!! all be in Spain when the corner-stone Is laid," I mumbled. "You've got a cold, dear." she broke In, promptly. "I'll have a word cr two with Margaret about you as I go out. You know I hate to think of any(of the students being sick here in town. That's going to be one of my great joys in the castle. I shall always have a convalescent or two sitting out over the port

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cullis and getting well In the sunshine. The moat will be full of formaldehyde. A yellow flag shall float over the battlements; the drawbridge will be always up and the iron-studded oak doors covered thick with scarlet-fever plasters." Elizabeth achieved something which In the darkness passed for a laugh. "And now I'm going. I just dropped in to make sure of you for the corner stone. The babies will be wondering where I am. And if Robert reached home and found no one to greet him but Maria I verily believe he'd go away again and think be didn't live there at alL" Presently she was gone, and we were left together at the mercy of our nerves and our imaginations until Billy Blight broke out with: "I can stand anything but darkness. Let's have a light on this thing" and with the light be found that both Elizabeth and I were crying. I think Margaret fed us. I think Billy stayed to dinner. I think we all talked a little in queer, trailing spurts, but I don't remember anything very distinctly until Billy rose to go away. "And hang it all," he cried, as the personal application occurred to him for the first time, "that bounder of a Thornycroft will work us nil to death. How are we going to do in twelve weeks the work that ought to have been spread over nine months. And if we don't make up the stuff he'll throw us all down on tbe exam. And we'll all be back here next year looking at the dear old Pearsons and knowing that we for didn't we sign that petition have shut them out, of Spain. Oh, lord 1" I' had read of sleepless nights, but I don't think I ever experienced one till then. Hour after hour I revolved the dilemma and studied all of its horrid horns. There seemed nothing to do; absolutely nothing. And yet I was on fire to help my friends and to show Jobn that I could be trusted not only as a safe confidant, but as a resourceful ally. It was six ' o'clock, and the gray morning was looking in through the windows when at last I hit upon a plan and pattered In to awake Elizabeth and discuss it with her. "Now, what I thought is this," I began, as I pulled hor eider-down about .my shoulders; "we'll just frighten these 'eds' away from Thornycroft and back to poor old Archibald.' , "But how?" she questioned. "I got the idea from Billy Blight. You remember what he said, just before he went, about all the extra work and time which the change would involve and the likelihood of our losing our diplomas in the end. Billy generally talks nonsense, but he was as sensible as a judge then. If we can once get the men students and the majority of women students too, for that matter to see this aspect of the case, I think you'll see them flocking back to 'Prexy' and declaring themselves quite satisfied with poor old Archibald, who, even If he does not tench ns very much, certainly makes no unreasonable demands upon our time, and, just as certainly, will give us all an easy exam, and good marks at the end." "You're a darling and a genius," cried Elizabeth. "'You three dear Children must come to Spain on "It shall be done. We'll make 'em cry "for Archibald before the week's over. Now let's sleep a little; it isn't quite time to get up." When public opinion sets strongly in one direction It is no easy thing. for three youngsters, however strong their enthusiasm, to turn it round again. And we had to be very careful- It would never have done to show hostility. We were just plaintively natural ; aware of our mental Inferiority, crushed by It, but resigned to it. "Oh, yes, of course," Elizabeth would sweetly agree, when some enthusiastic "ed" was singing Thornycroft's praises. "Of course it's all very well for you. You're clever, but I know I shall not get my diploma this year. I've beard something of rrofessor Thornycroft's plans." Oh. subtle, sly Elizabeth! "He's going to rush us through the whole subject In the

next eleven weeks. Then we're to have one week fc review, and a comprehensive examination to finish off with. It trill finish me dead. There'll be co diploma for me this year. Ah, well, another year seems long, but It will pass." That was all very well for Elizabeth Alford; youag. independent, and with no responsibilities In the world. Her being at college at all was a whim of hers. Her leaving without a diploma and degree, or her staying to work acother year for them were matters cf pleasure or convenience with her no more. But to the men, post-graduates for the most part, with their way to make In the not too affluent world of teaching, the prospect of auother year without appointment and salary was a serious thing. "And I don't think." Elizabeth would add, "that poor old Dr. Archibald is bad enough to make all tb'j necessary. It would be a terrible thing for lxm to'w dismissed like this in the middle of the semester. Aal asn't it seemed to you," she would add, with tie, prettiest air of deference, "that his lectures are jetting a little better? Of course, I'm no Judge. Hn very Ignorant. But don't you think that be la zettrnif In a little more subject matter?" And the "ed" would be forced to agree. Bll'.y, la n last desperate attempt to steer us all to Spain, had Invited Archibald and Pearson to dine with him and had gently started Pearson on his pet theories. It was impossible for anyone to listen to Win unmovwl and unenlightened, and Archibald absorbed clarity and power enough to transfigure his two or tbrre succeeding lectures. We worked quietly, but hard. And gradually the leaders in the movement to oust Archibald found themselves with few followers. Faculty meetings .generally took place on Thursday, nnd on the Thursday preceding the Saturday fixed for the laying of the corner-stone John again surprised mo by calling In the afternoon. "I haven't a niomcut to stay," he explained. "I've, Just come to tell you of a most extraordinary thing. Nearly all the men and several of the women wlu signed poor Pearson's death warrant have gone to the president and asked him to reconsider any Idea of change in the science department." "Vox populi changing its tune," said I, preparing t3 confess to the conspiracy and my part in it, when Elizabeth and Billy Blight, crowned with almost visible laurels, broke In upon us. Billy grasped John's hand and shook It warmly, while Elizabeth gathered me into her embrace. "Isn't it wonderful?" they cried in chorus. "And isn't Marian wonderful?" .Elizabeth added. "What are you two lunatics talking about?" Juba demanded, and Elizabeth was so breathless that she allowed Billy to do the talking, . "Thornycroft's down and out. 'Prexy 'learns that the feeling of tbe undergraduate body has changed. Told us so in a nice little speech in his office when I went in with two or three other chaps to speak my little piece. It would have drawn tears to the eyes of a graven image to hear me telling him how wo had all learned to love Archibald; how it was only his preliminary lecture that went a little above our beads." "Marvelous," murmured John, "marvelous and un accountable." -

Saturday Week for the Laying of the Corner-stone.'" "And we can go to West Farms on Saturday with , easy minds and consciences," cried Elizabeth. Tbe rearsons are safe. If tbe 'castle were finished now we four might crave its hospitality on account of the brain strain It has caused ns.- Oh you dear old Marian V she cried, and again threw her arms around me while Billy again shook effusively John's unresisting hand. "She's a girl In a thonsand." Mr. Blight was pleased to assure my fianc6. She'll make a wife In a million." "I know it," John acquiesced, "but might I troubla you to tiplaln why you hold her responsible for thla change In public opinion?" "Oh, it's only their nonsense, John dear," 1 answered. "We've done nothing at all, except to gtr a few singing lessons to vox populV

to.