CHAPTER XXI
_In which everybody is happy, Will Benton is jocose, and justifies the title of this Romance of the Upper Mississippi._
Some few minutes later, Will Benton, who had been summoned, andClarence were seated in the Rector’s room. To the two Father Keenan readfirst the letter of Wilcox.
“He was a good fellow,” said Will. “I like people who are grateful.”
“It was this gift of one hundred dollars,” said Father Keenan, “whichmade it so easy for me to fit you up, Clarence, and to see that Benreceived decent interment. But now listen to this.”
And Father Keenan read the letter of Mr. Charles Esmond.
When he came to the passage describing Clarence as a “veritable DanCupid up to date,” Will Benton roared with laughter.
“Why, what’s the matter, Will?” asked the Rector.
“Did you hear it? He’s Cupid. Oh, goodness, that’s the best yet.Clarence, you’re Cupid.” And Will Benton laughed more heartily thanever.
“It isn’t such a bad joke,” said Clarence critically.
The Rector then read on to the end.
“Say,” cried Clarence, “I like that. You do a little kindness to a poorboy, and after many years he sends you money to do some more kindness toother boys. You try it out on me, and then my father gets the same ideaand wants you to try it out on somebody else.”
“Kindness is catching,” said Will Benton, the kindest boy in CampionCollege.
“‘Our echoes roll from soul to soul,’” quoted Clarence, “‘and growforever and forever.’”
“The next thing for you to do, Clarence, is to go over to theVice-President’s room and register. Will Benton will take you, and thenhe’ll bring you over to the small boys and let them know you are one ofthem. After that you are free to go with your parents so long as theyremain.”
“Thank you, Father; I’ve got everything in the world I want, and I’m ashappy as a big sunflower.”
On their way to the classroom building there was quite a perceptiblestir among the boys, numbers of whom eyed the two with artless interest.
“What’s the matter with those boys?” asked Clarence. “What are theystaring about?”
“I really think,” answered Will Benton, “that they’re staring at me.John Rieler made such a fuss about the knockout I gave Pete that he’sgot all the little boys crazy. Even a lot of the big boys are stirred upabout it. I’ve been keeping to my room as much as possible these fewdays, because I don’t like people to be making a fuss over me.”
“Say, Will, is this true? I heard that since the fellows heard what youdid to Pete ten boys of the senior division have at last asked to jointhe Sodality, when they wouldn’t do it before.”
“They’d have come in anyhow,” he said.
The Vice-President was in his room, and promptly registered the happyClarence. Then, Will Benton, very nervous, conducted Clarence over tothe small boy’s division.
At his coming, there was great excitement. The boys came flockingtowards the two, and, in a moment, had them surrounded.
“Look at his arm”—“Isn’t that a chest for you”—“His Southpaw dishedthe gypsy for thirty-six hours”—“He did it just like that”—“That’sStrong-Arm for you.” These and a thousand exclamations evinced clearlythat Will Benton was still the hero of the hour.
Will blushed. He was frightened.
“Speech, Strong-Arm, speech,” cried a shrill-voiced youth.
“Speech, speech,” volleyed the others.
And then Will Benton, Strong-Arm, Senior, and Prefect of the Sodality,made his maiden speech, and cracked his first and only joke. Like mostpeople who are immensely popular, Will Benton was not given to joking.He was always smiling, always jolly, always quick to laugh at other’switticisms. But as for himself, he was literal, matter of fact, andserenely serious.
And the joke he got off on this occasion was really such a little joke.It wasn’t even original. But the boys who heard it doubled withlaughter, and howled with delight. They thought it was the finest jokethey had ever heard. Most of them continue to think so. They repeated itto each other, and wrote home about it. They made it a classic inCampion College, in such wise that it promises to go down to posterityalong with the wrench and the blow which made Will Benton famous andimmortal. On this one joke, Will Benton’s reputation as a humorist willlive.
Here are the speech and joke:
“Boys,” he said, holding up his hands.
All grew silent and eager.
“Permit me to introduce a new student.”
Cheers and joyous yelps split the astounded air for full three minutes.Will Benton held up his hand once more.
Again fell the expectant silence.
“Here he is,” cried Benton, his face breaking into smiles, “CUPID OFCAMPION COLLEGE.”
THE END.
PRINTED BY BENZIGER BROTHERS, NEW YORK
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Transcriber’s Notes:
Punctuation and type-setting errors have been corrected without note.Hyphenation and archaic spellings have been retained as in the original.
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