Winning His W": A Story of Freshman Year at College"
letter from
? He ought to have been here
e doesn't seem to have taken that in his cour
does h
gs us to meet him
t tr
wo-sev
to waste. Is he af
raid, al
he afr
everybody, I g
nuine. His friend and room-mate, Foster Bennett, was as sympathetic as he, though his manner was more quiet
rom its course of study, and all three had decided to enter Winthrop College. The entrance examinations had been successfully
aken place they had been in the little college town, arranging their various belongings in the room in Perry Hall, one of the best of all the dormitory b
ter to throw the young students at once upon their own resources rather than to accompany them
ous belongings in their new rooms had kept both so busy that thoughts of the homes they had left were of necessity somewhat rare, and the vis
ir own, but the very fact that all were alike new to the life and its surroundings had made every one somewh
t the time when this story opens their study room was ready for callers, as Will expressed it, and the adjoining sleeping rooms were in a fair way for o
Bennett, possessed. But almost every one who met the young student was drawn to him by the fascination of his winning ways, and realized at once the latent possibilities for good or ill that were his. His success would depend much upon his surroundings, and though Will was sublimely confident in his ability to meet and master whatever opposed him, it nevertheless had been a source of deep satisfaction to his father and mother that he was to room with his classmate, Foster Bennett, for Foster was of a much more sedate disposition than his friend. Taller than Will by three
elements of refinement had been lacking and his familiarity with the ways of the world was much less. Besides, his father had been in humbler circumstances, and Peter John was to room in college in Leland Hall, one of the oldest of the dormitories, where the room rent was much less than in Perry Hall and more in accord with Peter John's pocket. In school he had been made the butt of many a joke, but his fund of good nature had never rebelled and his persistence was never broken. Tall, ungainly, his trousers
joke. But it was soon discovered that in whatever light they might be received by others, to Peter John himself they were the expression of a fixed pur
ere poured into his ears, but so far as his expression of face was concerned, apparently they had been without effect. Nevertheless, deep in his heart Peter John had stored them all and his fear of the class above him had increased until at last just before he departed from home he had written to his friend Will Phelps informing him of his fears and begg
wn to the station, then,
probably believes the sophs will have a brass band and knives and guns and will be
aughed Foster. "But we'll hav
Will as he seized his cap an
te. Wait till I
' Not much! You
y n
n't po
alking about?"
e janitor told me not to, because the sophs will take it as a challenge to break it in.
oster slowly, as he glanced at some huge cracks that we
nitor says so. Come on! Com
ght which greeted their eyes was one that stirred the very depths of their hearts. The very buildings themselves were impressive, some old and antiquated, dating back a century or more and venerable with age, and others new and beautiful, the recent gifts of some loyal alumni. From the huge clock
be seen the faces of students who were leaning far out and shouting their words of greeting to friends on the street below. The September sun was warm and mellow, and as it found its way through the thick foliage it also cast fantastic shadows upon the grass that seemed to dance and leap
is is great! I'm glad I
in his more subdued mann
e was hidden by the enthusiasm of the moment. One group, consisting of twenty or more young men, particularly interested Will, for their noise and exuberance seemed to know no bounds. At last
th afresh and became even more violent than before. Both Will and Foster were curiously watching the group;
res advancing from the midst of his classmates and approaching
Here you are! This way!" responde
he noisy men. "Can't you see I'm engaged with J
you anywhere ye say," re
re you're
ir. Yes
at's all I wanted to know; thank you," he added, politely bowing; then turn
added solemnly, "Let's make it three for our class, t
d abruptly when it was seen that the train, for who