The Argosy, Vol. XI No. 20 — page 2: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

306 ‘* Most likely he isto be a new hall boy or under janitor,” satd an aris- tocratic looking and rather over Gressed young man, who had been eying the stranger rather contemptuously ever since be bad jotned the party. ‘Well, Lam going to find out,” answered the first speaker promptly, and he moved to the front of the omnibus just belund the young Stranger. Leaning forward, he touched him on the arm, ‘Are you gomng to Hosmer Hall 2?’ he asked. Yes," was the answer. ‘Asa student 2?” ‘*T believe so.” ‘You believe so. Don't vou know ? The young stranger smiled. “Well, to tell the truth, my coming was settled so suddenly, and everything was arranged so quickly, that Tohardly know how 7 stand in the matter, To was hurried off: here by a gentleman in New York City who has been a sort of guardian to me of late vears. Tle told me there Was a vacancy at Hosmer, and that Tmust take advantage of it to get an education, He vave me a nete to Dr, Hope. Tsa’t there a man of that name here ?” “Dr. Hope is the principal of the academy.’ “Ves, [thought so, Well, Me. Parker told me——" “Mr. Raymond Parker ?”' "Yes, Do vou know him 2” “Why, he is one of the most promiment lawvers in New York,” "Well, Pve only known him oas aomichty good friend and. guardian—as much of a father, in fact, as To ever had, and was sure Powornld be admitted to the acadeniw.’ Ts he 2” responded the vote stranger sunmply, He said he knew Di, Hope very well, "The academy ts linited to twenty scholars, but there is one va- canes Just now, and Dodonm't thiak vor wall flud any trouble m getting ya, wath Mr. Parker’s recommendation” TP hope not, for Pye come over with ny mind made up to give the place a trial. for I've never been to school in niw life.” Dna not so sure that Peatomake much out of it, though, These words were preeted by a look of astonishment, "Noo continued the stranger: *' lve had mo time nor chance for Of cottrse PE kuow how to cechool TPve been on the move all tov life. retell Old Captain Ronn taught mre that years ago on nav first trip to Australia The listener gave ano invelauutary gasp, ‘This voune stranger had actttily been to Nustratia, and uotcenty that, but alluded mdifferently to lis fesf trip, like an old tar, ' You must have traveled a creat deal “he sae. ‘Tt has been [ have read a few stories “Tcant remember anvaline else, was the answer, nothing but travel, travel, travel alli life. like § Robinson Crosoe. but sou don't flbd nanny books on board a sail- Ing vessel, sory book kKuowledge is mighty slim. So when Mr. ?arker met ine a week ago, when we came in to New York, he toid me TP must not miss achapce like Us; that To would have to cive up wandering [odlidavt like the idea at first. I told him Powas aftaid Peouldo’t stand being: cooped up ina little eabin around, and try to learn something, of a schoolhouse y but he said itwas amighty snug place out here, and that Poucht to doat, se DP promised to give dt atrial, andof bP could get alone allbvrght, Powould heave to and anehordrere for caedile His tone ticheated a self rellant, mdependent spirit that visibly in- creased] the listener's respect, The straneer now turned questioner, “AV bat sort of place is Hosmer 2” Very mice was the answers “nest to home. inimey mind, We all Nike to come back after vacation, especiilly an account of Dr. Hope. The academy would be nothing without him, litera every boy is fond of Are the studies hard 2" “No. | You see, the number is se small here that, although there is a four veers’ course, we are not divided into repular classes. Every bov is treated accarding to his special needs.” The stranger shook lis head, “TF that's the case," he said, ' Pil have te be put ina class all by mivself.” “Ob, ne You know how to read and write, and T suppose, if vou have satled much, sou must know something about Miatheniaties,” oO, [learned how to figure about as soon as T learned to read,” said the stranger. svou're all rieht, Ves, THE ARGOSY “Well, you will find you know more than vou think, You needn't fear any trouble on that score,” was the encouraging: response, This conversation had taken place tn low tones, but a few words here and there had been overheard by the rest—sufficient to arouse in- terest, and to start numerous and various opinions ; so that, by the time the omnibus had climbed the hill on the outskirts of Bramtord and rolled in through the large gateway of Hosmer, curiosity was raised to a high pitch. The arrival of a new boy at Hosmer was an incident of unusual im- portance, and all were anxious to know who he was and whence he came. As the omnibus drew up before the large piazza that skirted the front of the Hall, a number of the boys who had arrived on earlier trains ran out with shouts to welcome their companions, During the confu- sion of greetings the boy who aad held the conversation with the Stranper took the Jatter by the arm, and leading him into the large hall, pointed to the door on the right, eThat is the reception room,” he satd; ‘ vou will find Dr. Hope in there. To must hurry out to look after my baggage now. I will see vou again soon, for you will probably be my roommate, in place of Harry Seguin, who left. My name is Perry Landon, If T caa_ help you many way, let me know, and 1 will do it.” The yvounp stranger turned to thank his) friend, but the latter had disappeared, so he entered the door indicated, and found himself. in the reception room, where all the boys in a few moments assembled. CHAPTER IT. THE NEW BOY TS IN FRODUCED. OSMER HALL was originally the residence of the first owner H of the preat estate on which it stood. This pentleman, Regi- nald Hosmer by name, had always been a liberal and public spirited man, with a special interest in the cause of education, He had often dwelt upon the need in that section of the State of a well equipped academy for the higher education of bovs. He determined, therefore, to found an academy that would not only train bovs well in the usual branches of study, but in which they would be brought under the best sort of home influences, and where care should be taken to de- velop the best (hat was in each bov. Latin and Greek are all right,” he used to say, ‘and T believe in teaching them, but T want my academy to do more; [want it to turn out fine men, with high ideals of honor and right living.” For the accomplishment of his purpose it was of course necessary tu secittre the right sort of a principal, and ino this Mr. Hosmer had been fortunate, for in Dr. Hope he found a man in complete sympathy with his ideas. Accordingly, when somewhat past middle age, Mr. rlosmer built a new residence at another part of his estate, refitted his old house for service as the Hall and dormitory, and erected close by another butld- ing two stories high, the first floor of which formed the great recita- tion room, while the second was made into a gymnasium. The academy soon gained a wide reputation, Parents everywhere were anxious to place their sons where they would receive such good attention, and the boys were eager for the honor of being enrolled as members of the select twenty known as Hosier boys: Everything ran smoothly for a number of years. Suddenly Mr. Hosmer died of heart failure. When his affatrs were settled up, the fact became known that no will had been made by him later than eighteen years back. This was shortly after the founding of the academy. Jt bequeathed the estate to lits son Edward, leaving, how- ever, the affairs of the academy and that part of the property on which it stood in the hands of trustees, by whom it should be continued on the same principles that had been prominent in its foundation, This son Edward had had a serious difference with his father shortly after the date of the will. The exact character of Uhts trouble was not renerally known, but he had suddenly left home, and it was announced some two years later that he was dead: so, on the decease of Mr. Hosmer, the estate went to his sister’s son, a man of about forty years of age, with a family consisting of a wife and son, The arrival of this nephew, Mr. Gordon Ivers by name, made a preat difference in the place. He was a selfish man, proud and over- bearing in manner, and troublesome in disposition, Previous to his entrance upon the ownership of the estate, his life had been somewhat varied on account of his fondness for wildcat business speculations, Ma. Hosmer had alwavs helped hint liberally when in difficulties, chiefly on account of his sister, Mr. Ivers’s mother; and toward Mr, MICOOOKS (SO) LY | | (CO)