American library books ยป Fiction ยป Walter Sherwood's Probation by Jr. Horatio Alger (good romance books to read txt) ๐Ÿ“•

Read book online ยซWalter Sherwood's Probation by Jr. Horatio Alger (good romance books to read txt) ๐Ÿ“•ยป.   Author   -   Jr. Horatio Alger



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Then the students, tired, perhaps, of the fare at the college commons, dropped in often and ordered a dinner. So, take it all in all, Euclid Hotel benefited largely by the presence of the college. No students, however, were permitted to board there, as it was thought by the college professors that the atmosphere of the hotel would be detrimental to college discipline and the steady habits they desired to inculcate in the young men under their care.

โ€œI wonder,โ€ thought Doctor Mack, after supper was over, โ€œwhether I had better go round to the college and make an evening call on Walter?โ€

He was tempted to do so, for he was fond of his young ward and would have enjoyed seeing him. But then he wished, unobserved, to judge for himself whether Walter was making good use of his privileges, and this made it injudicious for him to disclose his presence in the college town.

He strolled out into the tavern yard, and observed a young man engaged in some light duties.

โ€œGood evening, sir,โ€ said the young man, respectfully.

โ€œGood evening, I suppose you are connected with the hotel?โ€

โ€œYes, sir; but I would rather be connected with the college.โ€

โ€œThen you have a taste for study?โ€

โ€œYes, sir. I began to prepare for college, and had made some progress in Latin and Greek, when my father died, and that put an end to my prospects.โ€

โ€œThat was a pity. Has it destroyed your taste for study?โ€

โ€œNo, I spend an hour after I am through work in keeping up my Latin and Greek, but of course I make slow progress.โ€

โ€œNaturally. Now I have no doubt there are many students who do not appreciate their privileges as much as you do.โ€

โ€œI know it, sir. There are pretty lively boys in college. Have you a son there?โ€

โ€œNo.โ€

โ€œI didn't know but what you might have.โ€

โ€œWhat do you mean by lively?โ€

โ€œI mean they care more to have a good time than to get on in their studies.โ€

โ€œWhat do they do?โ€

โ€œWell, some of them belong to societies, and have a good time whenever they meet. Frequently they give little suppers at the hotel here, and keep it up till a late hour.โ€

โ€œDo the faculty know of this?โ€

โ€œThey may surmise something, but they don't interfere. Of course, it pays Mr. Daniels, the landlord, for he charges a good round sum, and, as there is no other place for the boys to go, they must pay it. There's going to be a supper here to-night.โ€

โ€œIndeed!โ€

โ€œIt is given by one of the sophomores, Walter Sherwood.โ€

โ€œWhat name did you mention?โ€ asked Doctor Mack, startled.

โ€œWalter Sherwood. Do you know him?โ€

โ€œI know a family by the name of Sherwood,โ€ answered Doctor Mack, evasively. โ€œWhat sort of a young man is he?โ€

โ€œI don't call him a young man. He is only seventeen or eighteenโ€”one of the youngest members of the class. He is very popular among his matesโ€”a regular jolly boy he is.โ€

โ€œDoes he stand well in his scholarship?โ€

The young man laughed.

โ€œI don't think he troubles himself much about studies,โ€ he replied, โ€œfrom all I hear; but he is pretty smart, learns easily, and manages to keep up respectably.โ€

Doctor Mack's heart sank within him. Was this the best that could be said about his ward, the son of his old friend?

โ€œDo you think he is dissipated?โ€ he asked, uneasily.

โ€œNot that I ever heard. He is fond of having a good time, and drinks wine at his suppers, but he isn't what you would call intemperate. He would do better work in college if he wasn't so rich.โ€

โ€œSo he is rich, then?โ€

โ€œHe must be, for he spends a good deal of money. Pendleton, one of his classmates, told me that he spent more money than any one in the class.โ€

โ€œThat is why he needs so many extra checks,โ€ thought the guardian soberly.

โ€œI am sorry he doesn't make better use of his privileges,โ€ he said aloud.

โ€œYes, sir, it is a pity. If he didn't care so much for a good time he might stand at the head of his classโ€”so Pendleton thinks.โ€

โ€œIf he were a poor boy, now, you think the result would be different?โ€ asked Doctor Mack, thoughtfully.

โ€œYes, sir, I have no doubt of it.โ€

โ€œWhen does the supper commence?โ€

โ€œAt half-past eight o'clock.โ€

โ€œHow long will it keep up?โ€

โ€œTill near midnight. The landlord makes it a point to have them close before twelve. I hope they won't disturb you, sir.โ€

โ€œAre they likely to make much noise?โ€

โ€œWell, sir, they make speeches, and do a good deal of singing. Then, college songs are naturally noisy.โ€

โ€œYes, so I hear.โ€

โ€œWhat is the number of your room?โ€

โ€œNumber nine.โ€

โ€œWhy, you are nearly opposite the room where they will have their supper. I am afraid you won't stand much chance of sleeping early.โ€

โ€œOh, never mind! I shall get an idea of what a college supper is like.โ€

โ€œSo you will. If you open the transom over your door you will have the full benefit of all that goes on.โ€

โ€œThat will suit me very well,โ€ thought Doctor Mack.

โ€œIf you would like to be farther away, the landlord would no doubt change your room.โ€

โ€œOh, no,โ€ said the doctor hastily. โ€œIt will suit me very well for once to listen to college songs and get an idea of how college boys enjoy themselves.โ€

โ€œA very sensible old gentleman!โ€ thought James Holden. โ€œSome men of his age would make a fuss.โ€

A little before the time when the students were expected to arrive Doctor Mack shut himself up in his room, taking care to open the transom. He had ascertained from the young man, his informant, that supper had been engaged for twelve, and that the price charged per plate was two dollars and a half, all

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