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he guarded jealously the knowledge of even the existence of his secret
world of fancy。
His progress through the grades and the high school was intermittent。
Often he had to stop for months at a time to earn money for their living。 In
turn he was newsboy； bootblack； and messenger boy。 He drove a delivery
wagon for a grocer； ushered at a theater； was even a copyholder in the
proofroom of a newspaper。 Hard work kept him thin； but he was like a lath
for toughness。
Seven weeks after he was graduated from the high school his mother
died。 The day of the funeral a real estate dealer called to offer three；
hundred dollars for the lots in the river bottom bought some years earlier
by Mrs。 Farnum。
Jeff put the man off。 It was too late now to do his mother any good。
She had had to struggle to the last for the bread she ate。 He wondered why
the good things in life were so unevenly distributed。
Twice during the next week Jeff was approached with offers for his
lots。 The boy was no fool。
He found out that the land was wanted by a new railroad pushing into
Verden。 Within three days he had sold direct to the agent of the company
for nine hundred dollars。 With what he could earn on the side and in his
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THE VISION SPLENDID
summers he thought that sum would take him through college。
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THE VISION SPLENDID
CHAPTER 2
I wonder if Morgan； the Pirate； When plunder had glutted his heart；
Gave part of the junk from the ships he had sunk To help some Museum of
Art； If he gave up the role of 〃collector of toll〃 And became a Collector of
Art？
I wonder if Genghis； the Butcher； When he'd trampled down nations
like grass； Retired with his share when he'd lost all his hair And started a
Sunday…school class； If he turned his past under and used half his plunder
In running a Sunday…school class？
I wonder if Roger； the Rover； When millions in looting he'd made；
Built libraries grand on the jolly mainland To honor success and 〃free
trade〃； If he founded a college of nautical knowledge Where Pirates could
study their trade？
I wonder； I wonder； I wonder； If Pirates were ever the same； Ever
trying to lend a respectable trend To the jaunty old buccaneer game Or is it
because of our Piracy Laws That philanthropists enter the game？
Wallace Irwin； in Life。
THE REBEL IS INSTRUCTED IN THE WORSHIP OF THE GOD…
OF…THINGS…AS… THEY…ARE
PART 1
Jeff was digging out a passage in the 〃Apology〃 when there came a
knock at the door of his room。 The visitor was his cousin； James； and he
radiated such an air of prosperity that the plain little bedroom shrank to
shabbiness。
James nodded in offhand fashion as he took off his overcoat。 〃Hello；
Jeff！ Thought I'd look you up。 Got settled in your diggings； eh？〃 Before
his host could answer he rattled on： 〃Just ran in for a moment。 Had the
devil of a time to find you。 What's the object in getting clear off the
earth？〃
〃Cheaper；〃 Jeff explained。
〃Should think it would be；〃 James agreed after he had let his eyes
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THE VISION SPLENDID
wander critically around the room。 〃But you can't afford to save that way。
Get a good suite。 And for heaven's sake see a tailor； my boy。 In college a
man is judged by the company he keeps。〃
〃What have my room and my clothes to do with that？〃 Jeff wanted to
know； with a smile。
〃Everything。 You've got to put up a good front。 The best fellows won't
go around with a longhaired guy who doesn't know how to dress。 No
offense； Jeff。〃
His cousin laughed。 〃I'll see a barber to…morrow。〃
〃And you must have a room where the fellows can come to see you。〃
〃What's the matter with this one？〃
A hint of friendly patronage crept into the manner of the junior。 〃My
dear chap； college isn't worth doing at all unless you do it right。 You're
here to get in with the best fellows and to make connections that will help
you later。 That sort of thing； you know。〃
Into Jeff's face came the light that always transfigured its plainness
when he was in the grip of an idea。 〃Hold on； J。 K。 Let's get at this right。 Is
that what I'm here for？ I didn't know it。 There's a hazy notion in my noodle
that I'm here to develop myself。〃
〃That's what I'm telling you。 Go in for the things that count。 Make a
good frat。 Win out at football or debating。 I don't give a hang what you go
after； but follow the ball and keep on the jump。 I'm strong with the crowd
that runs things and I'll see they take you in and make you a cog of the
machine。 But you'll have to measure up to specifications。〃
〃But； hang it； I don't want to be a cog in any machine。 I'm here to give
myself a chance to growsit out in the sun and hatch an individuality
give myself lots of free play。〃
〃Then you've come to the wrong shop；〃 James informed him dryly。 〃If
you want to succeed at college you've got to do the things the other
fellows do and you've got to do them the same way。〃
〃You mean I've got to travel in a rut？〃
〃Oh； well！ That's a way of putting it。 I mean that you have to accept
customs and traditions。 You have to work like the devil doing things that
count。 If you make the team you've got to think football； talk it； eat it；
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THE VISION SPLENDID
dream it。〃
〃But is it worth while？〃
James waved his protest aside。 〃Of course it's worth while。 Success
always is。 Get this in your head。 Four…fifths of the fellows at college don't
count。 They're also…rans。 To get in with the right bunch you've got to make
a good showing。 Look at me。 I'm no John D。 Rockefeller； Jr。 Athletics bore
me。 I can't sing。 I don't grind。 But I'm in everything。 Best frat。 Won the
oratorical contest。 Manager of the football team next season。 President of
the Dramatic Club。 Why？〃
He did not wait for Jeff to guess the reason。 〃Because our set runs
things and I go after the honors。〃
〃But