The Mermaid of Druid Lake and Other Stories Part 17

To MR. HUGH IREDELL, College of Physicians and Surgeons.

Baltimore, Nov. 27, 1906.

Dear Sir:

The faculty desires to notify you that your record is unsatisfactory, both in regard to attendance and preparedness in cla.s.s, and it expects you to show improvement therein or suffer the consequences.

Respectfully yours, W. TALBERT, Secretary.

IX.

To MRS. JOHN IREDELL, Summerfield, N. C.

Baltimore, Dec. 2, 1906.

Dear Mother:

I want you to do me a great favor. I do not dare write Father about it, but I find I must have a black dress suit in order to look as well as the other fellows when I go around of an evening. It will cost $40, I learn, and, of course, I cannot pay for it out of the small monthly sum Father sends me for my board. Tell him it is ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY and urge him please to let me have it. If he will not send the money, I shall have to borrow it or get the suit somewhere on the instalment plan.

Your devoted son, HUGH.

X.

To MR. HUGH IREDELL, 641 North Calvert street, Baltimore.

Summerfield, N. C., Dec. 6, 1906.

My Son:

What is this nonsense about you must have a black swallow-tail? You had a black suit when you went away. It was good enough to go to parties here. Are your Baltimore friends so much more aristocratic? Besides, didn't you go there to study and not to play? You are writing home too much about girls and society and dances and theatres, and nothing about work. Remember, I am footing the bills. When I was your age I got up at 4 in the morning and toiled away in the fields till sundown, and then I was too tired to spruce up and play at being a gentleman. If you're going to be a doctor, you'd better take a different course.

Yours, FATHER.

XI.

To MR. CLARENCE ROWAN, Raleigh, N. C.

Baltimore, Dec. 10, 1906.

Dear Old Chum:

You're right for complaining I have neglected you, but I have been having the time of my life. Edith and I have been going it heavy for nearly two months. I am hit harder than ever. She's a wonderful girl. I manage to see her every day--meet her down on Lexington street shopping, take long walks with her out Charles-Street extended, go to church with her, take her to the theatre and elsewhere at night. She has invited me into a euchre that meets every three weeks--fine crowd. You ought to see me in a swell dress suit. Went broke to get it, but it's worth it for style. You wouldn't know me for a country "Tarheel."

Edith's as cute as they make them. Last night, at the euchre, she found a double almond, and we ate filopena for a box of candy against a kiss.

I got caught, of course, but she gave me the kiss on her doorstep as we parted. Then she dropped a hint that it was for a five-pound box. Just think of that! You remember that line out of "A Texas Steer," "I wonder if it cost Daniel Webster a hundred to kiss her mother."

Bye bye, old chap; got a date to bowl with Edith at the Garage tonight.

Ought to be studying for "exams," but simply can't.

Yours, HUGH.

XII.

To MR. JOHN IREDELL, Summerfield, N. C.

Baltimore, Dec. 20, 1906.

Dear Sir:

I am requested by the faculty of the College of Physicians and Surgeons to say that the record of your son is so poor that he cannot be permitted to continue his studies here. He has more than 50 absences charged against him, continued unpreparedness in cla.s.ses and a wretched showing in the recent examinations.

Respectfully yours, C. F. B. EVAN, Dean.

XIII.

(Telegram.)

To HUGH IREDELL, 641 N. Calvert St., Baltimore.

Summerfield, N. C., Dec. 21, 1906.

Come home at once. Letter from faculty.

FATHER.

XIV.

(Telegram.)

To JOHN IREDELL, Summerfield, N. C.

Baltimore, Dec. 21, 1906.

Wire me $75 first. Owe that much board, etc.

HUGH.

XV.

(Telegram.)

To HUGH IREDELL, 641 N. Calvert Street. Baltimore.

Summerfield, N. C., Dec. 21, 1906.

Sell dress suit and p.a.w.n watch. Wait till I see you.

FATHER.