Walter Sherwood's Probation by Jr. Horatio Alger (good romance books to read txt) ๐
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- Author: Jr. Horatio Alger
Read book online ยซWalter Sherwood's Probation by Jr. Horatio Alger (good romance books to read txt) ๐ยป. Author - Jr. Horatio Alger
โI wonder,โ thought Doctor Mack, after supper was over, โwhether 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.
โGood evening, sir,โ said the young man, respectfully.
โGood evening, I suppose you are connected with the hotel?โ
โYes, sir; but I would rather be connected with the college.โ
โThen you have a taste for study?โ
โYes, 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
โThat was a pity. Has it destroyed your taste for study?โ
โNo, I spend an hour after I am through work in keeping up my Latin and Greek, but of course I make slow progress.โ
โNaturally. Now I have no doubt there are many students who do not appreciate their privileges as much as you do.โ
โI know it, sir. There are pretty lively boys in college. Have you a son there?โ
โNo.โ
โI didn't know but what you might have.โ
โWhat do you mean by lively?โ
โI mean they care more to have a good time than to get on in their studies.โ
โWhat do they do?โ
โWell, 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
โDo the faculty know of this?โ
โThey 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
โIndeed!โ
โIt is given by one of the sophomores, Walter Sherwood.โ
โWhat name did you mention?โ asked Doctor Mack, startled.
โWalter Sherwood. Do you know him?โ
โI know a family by the name of Sherwood,โ answered Doctor Mack, evasively. โWhat sort of a young man is he?โ
โI don't call him a young man. He is only seventeen or eighteenโone of the youngest members of the class. He is very popular among his matesโa regular jolly boy he is.โ
โDoes he stand well in his scholarship?โ
The young man laughed.
โI don't think he troubles himself much about studies,โ he replied, โfrom 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?
โDo you think he is dissipated?โ he asked, uneasily.
โNot 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
โSo he is rich, then?โ
โHe 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
โThat is why he needs so many extra checks,โ thought the guardian soberly.
โI am sorry he doesn't make better use of his privileges,โ he said aloud.
โYes, sir, it is a pity. If he didn't care so much for a good time he might stand at the head of his classโso Pendleton thinks.โ
โIf he were a poor boy, now, you think the result would be different?โ asked Doctor Mack, thoughtfully.
โYes, sir, I have no doubt of it.โ
โWhen does the supper commence?โ
โAt half-past eight o'clock.โ
โHow long will it keep up?โ
โTill near midnight. The landlord makes it a point to have them close before twelve. I hope they won't disturb you, sir.โ
โAre they likely to make much noise?โ
โWell, sir, they make speeches, and do a good deal of singing. Then, college songs are naturally noisy.โ
โYes, so I hear.โ
โWhat is the number of your room?โ
โNumber nine.โ
โWhy, 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
โOh, never mind! I shall get an idea of what a college supper is like.โ
โSo you will. If you open the transom over your door you will have the full benefit of all that goes on.โ
โThat will suit me very well,โ thought Doctor Mack.
โIf you would like to be farther away, the landlord would no doubt change your room.โ
โOh, no,โ said the doctor hastily. โIt will suit me very well for once to listen to college songs and get an idea of how college boys enjoy themselves.โ
โA very sensible old gentleman!โ thought James Holden. โSome 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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