Loyola College - Review Yearbook (Montreal, Quebec Canada)

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18 LOYOLA COLLEGE REVIEW — “Jim,” she replied sadly, are you ashamed to bring your friends to your own home? Whatever has come over you since you've been to college ?” A-ah, it's not that, mother, but— Oh, you don't understand. What will I do? He rushed up the worn carpet- covered stairs and entered the ''spare- room. On one side stood an antique wooden four-poster, brightened by a new crazy-quilt spread of silk. A good carpet was on the floor, and the pic- tures about the walls, though simple and inexpensive, were tastefully chosen. Was it the irony of fate which made him look up and read on an old wall- motto, the lines by Robert Burns: “О wad some power the giftie gie us To see oursel's as ithers see из?” On the other side of the room, near a large white wash-stand with its cum- bersome water-jug, two large bay win- dows overlooked the garden, with Glen Matthew's Garage and Blacksmith shop in the perspective. This last was too much for Jim. “А pretty sight indeed, he thought, for Bob Davis! If he came, how could he ever face him ? Necessity is ever the mother of inven- tion. He rushed over to the grocery on the corner and phoned up Frank Evans, the son of the man who made the town and the owner of the only respectable car there. ‘Hello, that you, Frank? This is Jim Duncan speaking. “I’m іп a deuce of a fix, Frank, and I wish you could help me out of it. Could you have your chau- feur meet the 7.30 train this evening ? Thanks so much. You'll see he doesn't forget? Гі tell you all about it later. So-long, Frank. Two hours later, the baggageman had scarcely time to throw off the first milk can on the platform, when Bob rushed down the steps, ignored the astonished porter, and grasped Jim by the hand. “Gosh, old man, I'm glad to see you! I was all alone at home and I nearly went crazy. Then a puzzled look “-- came over his features. “Why the valise ? he queried. “I’m terribly sorry, Bob, but my kid sister had to contract the mumps. I barely escaped with the car and Frangois over there. However, he can drive us into the cit and we can put up at some hotel for awhile.” Not on your life, dear boy. I’ve had enough of the city. The time- table here indicates a return train in fifteen minutes. Suppose we take it and go to our place? I have it! We'll organize a house-party there that will make the very fish fight to get on the right platter! Let's со!” They did not have to wait long for the 7.45 south bound. To Jim, how- ever, it seemed an age, for he feared that the station master would come up and ask him why he hadn't hauled away those kegs of nails. Finally, however, when he was comfortably settled in his chair in the parlor car, and the express was speeding along towards Melton Heights, he heaved a happy sigh of relief. Everything had turned out as he had planned! Boys, remarked Bob Davis some days later, “were here to make this house-party a source of ambition to our grandchildren. If there's anyone here who still believes that Medicine Hat is a rival firm of Stetson, or that Great Neck is part of the statue of Liberty, let him be anathema! 'Nuff said! 'On with the dance, let joy be un- confined.’ ” Laughter and hearty applause greeted him, for this was quite a long speech for Bob. “You bet we will! they shouted. And they certainly kept their word, for at no time after that was amusement lacking. Jim Duncan was by no means the least popular there. He played tennis, rode well, and was an excellent swimmer, while as a favorite dancing partner, he yielded the palm to Bob Davis alone. As time went on, this caused no small amount of

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LOYOLA COLLEGE REVIEW 17 — drop down to our country place at Evanstown for awhile, as the folks are all in California. Say, why not pay me that visit while I'm there, before the delay becomes history? I grant you'll find all the arcadian simplicity you are looking for, but just let me know when you are coming and [I'll do my best to chase up some excite- ment. “Thanks awfully” was the rejoinder. “It’s scarcely possible as I’m booked for Europe. But if my folks leave me behind, ГЇЇ send you the odd word. Well, here’s the car, old man. I must be off. Best of luck, and don’t do anything I wouldn’t do!” e 9 6 ее Ө ч Evanstown із just like every other : town of the same size so I needn't tell you about it. Most probably you wouldn't read any further if I did. Neither do serious accidents happen to our modern heroes, so I may state at once, that Jim Duncan arrived safely in Evanstown and has been there a week already since we last saw him. Still interested? Well, then, let's go down to the hardware store and hear what's going on. “James, I purposely sent Doyle with the truck this morning because I wanted to have a little talk with you. What's happened to you, anyhow? You've done nothing else but grumble during the past week. It’s a wonder to me you haven't grouched about your mother's cooking!” But, Dad, — Please wait until I have finished. Long before you were supposed to have sense, your mother and I decided that we would give you the best education we could afford. We've done more than that. For years we endured personal economy and sacrifice that you might go to college. Your allowance, Lord knows what you did with it, placed you on a par with the sons of million- aires, merely because we didn't wish you to feel embarrassed. Incidentally, “-- you might be surprised to know that we gave up our anniversary trip. You received the cheque that would have covered our expenses, “Frankly, James, he continued, “І don’t understand you. If I took an orphan from the gutter and educated him as I have you, he would appreciate it. We have given you more; we have given you our love. Now you come home and deliberately snub good cus- tomers of mine who are the means of your very bread and butter! I tell you, you don’t know when you are well off. You needn’t be ashamed to drive a truck; you are helping your father, and you should be proud to make some return for what he has done for you. Be broadminded! You won't be driv- ing a truck all your life! Further conversation was interrupted by the entrance of the postman. Nuthin' fer you, to-day, Mister Duncan. Telegram fer you, young man. I didn't read it as it ain't allowed, but I reckon as how you're to have a visitor. Сора mornin'. Eagerly Jim opened it, but with a sinking heart, read: “Folks left for Europe without me. Am accepting your invitation. Will arrive 7.30 to- night.—Bob Davis.” You'll excuse me, Dad. I must see mother about this. A chum of mine is coming here this evening.” Certainly, Jim, go ahead. And say,—take home this roll of wire with you. Mrs. Duncan instinctively felt that something was wrong as soon as Jim entered the house. His face confirmed it. Why, Jim, what's happened ? she asked. He handed her the telegram. She read it, looked at her son and knew. She decided, however, to allow him every chance to disprove her doubts of him. “T’m sure he's welcome, Jim. “Mother, I can't have him here. He's the richest fellow in the college!

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LOYOLA COLLEGE REVIEW 19 —- jealousy amongst the male guests. Then, but not until then, they began to wonder,—''Who is this fellow, any- how ? and “Where did he come from 2” One day when Jim was entering the billiard-room, he overheard two of them in conversation. “T can't understand how Bob Davis ever brought him here!’ one re- marked. ''He wears Bob's clothes, spends his money and uses his cars. Has he nothing of his own? I think that he's a confounded imposter. Where is he supposed to live ?” I don’t know. He says his country place is at Evanstown, the other answered. Jim waited to hear no more. Hitherto he had been quite happy here, but now he felt that, no matter where he went, accusing fingers would point him out as a fourflusher and a liar. Two days later he was moodily lounging on a seat near the swimming-pool, when Bob came up to him, busting with news. Say, Jim, forget the undertaking business for a while and smile at the good news. You'd think you were back at college and were wondering whether Tacitus really said half of what he meant or meant half of what he said. And who cares if Horace were really Mark Twain writing under an assumed name? Cheer up! Here's something to think about. We're go- ing to have a ball this week that will be the utmost in Terpsichorean en- deavor. Benson and Cutler are doing all the work and left this morning to make arrangements with the decora- tors. “Great stuff!’ Jim exclaimed as cheerfull y as he could. Yet he ex- perienced a certain feeling of appre- hension. Why had Benson and Cutler volunteered to do this? They were not that sort and besides, these were the two, he remembered, who were talking about him that morning in the billiard- room. But why worry? They were certain of nothing in his past, and he felt that they wouldn’t take the trouble 4 to find out anything definite. Quite satisfied with this reflection, he went in for a swim. A more perfect night for the party could never have been chosen. Benson and his friend were very mysterious, rushing about here and there, promising a big surprise, but keeping everyone out of the secret. Naturally, excitement was at a great pitch. At length the doors were opened and all trooped in. For a moment all seemed puzzled at the scanty but unique decorations, then shrieks of laughter rang out on all sides. The walls were covered with numerous placards and cartoons of varied design. “SEE Honest Jim DUNCAN FOR A SQUARE DEAL IN HARDWARE.” “JIM Duncan Savs—Oun WASHING MaA- CHINES ARE SUPERB.” “Use STAY- AWHILE GLUE—JIm DUNCAN STICKS To His Worb.” All were cleverly illustrated and very humorous. Tacked in conspicuous places on the pillars, several copies of the ‘‘Evanstown Bugle and Examiner” displayed the following headline: “бом or HARDWARE MER- CHANT RECEIVES COLLEGE DEGREE.” To them this was the best joke of all. But where was Jim all this time? Quite happy in anticipation of a good evening’s entertainment, he was in his room putting the finishing touches to his various sartorial appointments. He heard the hearty laughter below and remarked to himself that those two must have lived up to their boast. He hurried downstairs in order not to miss the fun. As he entered the room, a smile of expectancy on his countenance, the laughter suddenly died down and all eyes were turned to him in silence. For a moment he was dazed by the sudden- ness of it all. Immediately before him a large caricature, in which he was the central figure, displayed him selling dishpans from a Ford truck. He glanced about, reading the placards. The blood rushed to his cheeks until they fairly seemed to burn.