Weber State University - Acorn Yearbook (Ogden, UT)

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 Pop's $atfj Alma Pierce had accepted his chance to go to college. He had money enough if he were careful with it. to carry him through that year. The first evening at his new hoarding place, he made the acquaintance of Kent Carl- son. Kent was a man of about twenty-five years. He possessed a strong personality and his expression was that of a polished gentleman. Alma’s first impression of him was that he had passed through much sorrow and dissappointment and was now trying to live on a higher plane. Kent was watched very closely by the people of the boarding house. There was something about him that attracted the attention of nearly every one. and seemed to draw them close to him. There was some mystery about his life that he had not revealed, lie was quiet and seldom spoke, but when he did speak all the house seemed to be hushed to catch each word he ut- tered. Alma, too, found himself often gazing at this man, and watching his actions. Kent always spent his evenings away from the boarding house, lie would go out in a full dress suit, and Alma thought he must be a society man. Alma longed to be a companion to the big man. and go out with him in the evenings, but Kent never once invited him to participate in his pleasures. Alma thought there was some reason for this; maybe it was because he had no dress suit. Well he could buy one. Money was borrowed and a new suit purchased, but this was not hint enough for Kent to ask him to go along. Oh! how he longed just once to accompany his new acquaintance, but was never given the opportunity. One day Kent found himself gazing at lma as he bent over his study. He walked over to him and tapped him on the shoulder. Alma looked straight into the eyes that revealed a big heart and a strong will. Say young man. don t study so hard; you may not get as much good out of it as you think.” Alma was startled at the remark. Kent seldom spoke to him but he had never once said anything like this. ” Yh don’t you get out with the fel- lows, get acquainted and have a good time. he continued. 1 think nearly everyone ought to have a good time and enjoy some luxury. Do you know, litc is an endless search for pleasure, few ever find true pleasure though they search a lite time, so a person should enjoy those pleasures which appeal to him.”

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Sfte ACORN || | Pa e 12 Those few words were enough for Alma. He loved to associate with people, so his evenings were also spent away from home, but each man went his own way. When they returned from their evening’s enjoyment. Kent would often say, “Why, there's nothing like it. it seems to put spirit into a person. And what is college life anyway without a little pleasure on the side?” Alma had now become acquainted with all the fellows, and was truly enjoying himself. But his money was going fast, lie had no thought of living such a life when he entered school. Then the friend from whom he had borrowed the money, asked that it be returned. He could not pay it back, and he told his story to Kent. “How much money do you need to pay it back?” he asked. “Fortv dollars,” was the reply. “Here take this, it will help some and will work no hardship on me. You can pay it back whenever it is convenient, or I won’t mind if you never pay it back,” and he threw a twenty dollar bill on the table. “Oh! thank you. you are a friend in need.” the young man replied as he grasped the hand of Kent and gave it a warm shake. The moncv was paid on the suit, but there was still a debt of twenty' dollars. Alma must do something. Could he afford to let his name get out among the fellows, that lie was trying to cheat some one? No, he never would, lie would get a job and pay it back as soon as possible. The next day found him in the office of the President of the College. He was going to ask for help. The President would help him get a place. But the President was not there. He would return in a few minutes, so Alma decided to wait. It was after school hours, so he stepped into the President’s reading room, adjoining the office. He picked up the first maga- zine he laid his hand on, and as he raised it he spied a twenty dollar gold piece beneath it. He snatched the money from its place, Ah! ah!” he said. “I'll need no job, I can just pay this money on my suit and be square with the world.” And he left the room by the large hall. Little did he realize the half sneering eyes that gazed through the window from the office, at each movement that had taken place in the room. W hen once out of the building Alma halted to consider the act he had just committed. “Well the thoughts of it will wear off in a day or two. he murmured, trying to justify himself. Then the thoughts of the disgrace of it all. How