Read Chester Rand; or, The New Path to Fortune Page 28

  CHAPTER XXVIII.

  PROF. NUGENT.

  Chester still went three times a week to the house of Prof. Hazlitt. Hewas getting on fast with the professor's work.

  "I think I shall go to press with my book before the end of the year,"said the professor, one evening, as Chester was taking his leave. "Inmy preface I shall mention your name, Chester, as my artisticcollaborator."

  "Couldn't you mention my name, too, Uncle Edgar?" asked Arthur Burks.

  "In what way?" inquired the professor smiling.

  "You can say that I supervised the illustrations," answered Arthur,demurely.

  "I am afraid you will have to wait till you are better entitled tocredit."

  "Now, that's mean, Uncle Edgar. I know how I'll get even with you."

  "How?"

  "I will write a rival book, and get Chester to illustrate it betterthan yours."

  "It would need better illustrations, since there would be nothing elsein the work worthy of attention."

  "Your uncle has got you there," said Chester.

  "You'll illustrate my book, won't you?"

  "Certainly; that is, if I can depend on prompt payment."

  Chester and Arthur Burks were fast friends. Arthur did not shine inscholarship, but he was fond of fun, and was a warm-hearted andpleasant companion, and a true friend.

  One afternoon he called on Chester at his room.

  "I bring you an invitation to dinner," he said. "Uncle has a friendfrom Oregon visiting him, and as he is an interesting talker, you willenjoy meeting him. I believe he is a professor in WilliametteUniversity."

  "Thank you, Arthur; I shall be very glad to come."

  "Come with me now, if you have got through your day's work. You canhave a little scientific conversation before dinner."

  "It will be the science of baseball and tennis, I suspect, Arthur."

  "No doubt you will find me very instructive."

  "You always are, Arthur."

  "Thank you. I like to be appreciated by somebody."

  At the dinner table Chester was introduced to Prof. Nugent.

  "This is Chester Rand, the young artist who is illustrating myethnological work, brother Nugent," said Prof. Hazlitt.

  "What--this boy?" Prof. Nugent exclaimed, in a tone of surprise.

  "Yes. Boy as he is, he is a salaried contributor to _The Phoenix_."

  "You surprise me. How old are you, Mr. Rand?"

  "Sixteen."

  "I suppose you began your art education early?"

  Chester smiled.

  "No, sir," he answered. "Four months ago I was the boy in a countrygrocery store."

  "This is wonderful. I shall subscribe to _The Phoenix_ before I go backto my Western home."

  "I am afraid, sir, it will be too light to suit your taste."

  "My dear young friend, don't suppose I am always grave. What says theLatin poet:

  "_'Dulce est desipere in loco.'_

  "If you don't understand it, probably Arthur can enlighten you."

  "What does it mean, Arthur?"

  "It means, 'When all your serious work is done, 'tis best to have alittle fun,'" answered Arthur, promptly.

  "Bravo, Arthur," said Prof. Nugent, clapping his hands. "So we have ayoung poet as well as a young artist here."

  "Oh, yes," answered Arthur. "I'm pretty smart, but few people find itout."

  "You'd better ask the professor about Tacoma," suggested Arthur, duringa pause in the conversation.