Walter Sherwood's Probation
Alger, Horatio, 1832-1899
English
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WALTER SHERWOOD'S PROBATION
BY
HORATIO ALGER, JR.
Author of "Facing the World," "Hector's Inheritance,"
"Helping Himself," "Jack's Ward," Etc., Etc.,
CHAPTER I
WALTER SHERWOOD'S LETTER
"Here's a letter for you, Doctor Mack," said the housekeeper, as she
entered the plain room used as a library and sitting-room by her
employer, Doctor Ezekiel Mack. "It's from Walter, I surmise." This was
a favorite word with Miss Nancy Sprague, who, though a housekeeper,
prided herself on having been a schoolmistress in her earlier days.
"Indeed, Nancy. Let me see it. Walter is really getting attentive. His
last letter came to hand only two days since. He hasn't forgotten his
old guardian."
"Oh, no, sir. He'll never do that. He has a predilection for his old
home. His heart is in the right place."
"Just so. I wish I felt as sure about his head."
Doctor Mack adjusted his spectacles, for he was rising sixty, and his
eyes required assistance, and opened the letter. As he read it his
forehead contracted, and he looked disturbed. A perusal of the letter
may help us to understand why. It ran as follows:
"DEAR GUARDIAN: You will be surprised at hearing from me so soon
again, but I am really forced to write. I find college life much more
expensive than I supposed it would be. A fellow is expected to join
two or three societies, and each costs money. I know you wouldn't have
me appear mean. Then the students have been asked to contribute to a
fund for the enlargement of the library, and almost every day there is
a demand for money for one object or another. As it is nearly the end
of the term, I calculate that with a check for an extra hundred
dollars I can get along. I am awfully sorry to ask for it, but it will
come out of the money father left me, and I am sure he would wish me
to keep up appearances, and not fall behind the rest of the boys.
"I stand fairly well in my studies, and I expect to be stroke oar of
the college boat club. Besides this, I have been elected catcher of
the college baseball club. I am thought to excel in athletic sports,
and really enjoy my college life very much. Please send me the check
by return of mail. Affectionately yours, WALTER."
Doctor Mack laid the letter on the table, and slowly removed the
glasses from his nose.
"One hundred dollars!" he repeated. "That is the second extra check he
has written for, this term. Then his regular term bills will come due
in two weeks. He is spending more than three times as much as I did
when in college. Forty years have made a difference, no doubt, but not
so great a difference as that. I hope the boy isn't falling into
extravagant habits. I care for that more than for the money. His
father left a good fortune, of which fact he is unfortunately aware,
but I don't mean that it shall spoil him. Now, what shall I do. Shall
I send him the check or not?"
Doctor Mack leaned back in his chair, and thought busily. He felt
anxious about his ward, who had entered college early and was now only
seventeen. Walter Sherwood was a boy of excellent talent and popular
manners, but he was inclined to be self-indulgent and had a large
capacity for "enjoyment." His guardian had fondly hoped that he would
lead the class in scholarship, but instead of this he was only doing
"fairly well" in his studies. To be sure, he excelled in athletic
sports, but, as Doctor Mack reflected, this was not generally
considered the chief aim in a college course, except by some of the
students themselves.
"I wish I knew just how Walter is making out," thought the doctor.
Then, after a pause, he resumed, with a sudden inspiration: "Why
shouldn't I know? I'll go over to Euclid to-morrow with out giving
Walter any intimation of my visit, and see for myself."
It may be stated here that Walter Sherwood was a member of the
sophomore class in Euclid College, situated in the town of the same
name. If the reader does not find Euclid in a list of American
colleges, it is because for special reasons I have thought it best to
conceal the real name of the college, not wishing to bring the
Institution into possible disrepute. There are some who might misjudge
the college, because it contained some students who made an
unprofitable use of their time.
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