character which attracted others to him, with the result that there was

seldom an hour during the day that he had his room to himself. On his

return from the faculty meeting he found a half-dozen of his classmates

there, awaiting his return.

"Well?" they inquired as he entered.

"It's worse than that," said Jimmy, as he unfolded the harrowing details

of what had transpired at his meeting with the faculty. "And now," he

said, "if you birds love me, keep out of here from now until

commencement. There isn't a guy on earth can concentrate on anything

with a roomful of you mental ciphers sitting around and yapping about

girls and other non-essential creations."

"Non-essential!" gasped one of his visitors, letting his eyes wander

over the walls of Jimmy's study, whereon were nailed, pinned or hung

countless framed and unframed pictures of non-essential creations.

"All right, Jimmy," said another. "We are with you, horse, foot and

artillery. When you want us, give us the high-sign and we will come.

Otherwise we will leave you to your beloved books. It is too bad,

though, as the bar-boy was just explaining how the great drought might

be circumvented by means of carrots, potato peelings, dish-water, and a

raisin."

"Go on," said Jimmy; "I am not interested," and the boys left him to his

"beloved" books.

Jimmy Torrance worked hard, and by dint of long hours and hard-working

tutors he finished his college course and won his diploma. Nor did he

have to forego the crowning honors of his last baseball season,

although, like Ulysses S. Grant, he would have graduated at the head of

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