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By E. A. H. ENDRES
Solomon Framig was a quiet-spoken, : � orthodox individual; with bushy zrly whiskers and a fair-sized fortune, which jiis industry had accumulated despite � innumerable and apparently , insur^ molmtable obstacles. Great independence, determination to-use his own methods, and originality were the <�ut-. standing features of his character.
Neatly framed but without ostentation, the noble words of James Russell Lowell were displayed above Mr. ; Frarmg's roll-top desk. . When tired or overtaken by some-business disappoint-mentphe would sometimes lean back in his swivel chair while his gaze rested on Lowell's framed phrases of wisdom:
"The longer oh this earth we live, And weigh the various qualities of men,-The more we feel the high, stern-
.....* featured beauty
Of plain devotedness to duty. Steadfast and still, nor paid with mortal
. - praise, .'
But finding amplest recompense For life's ungarlanded expense In work done squarely and unwasted days." \
Solomon Framig .especially re!ished the last line,-with" its reference to work and" days that were not wasted.
From 'this .one'fact it may be fairly inferredj that he was a practical man, :wi.th.. a practical uiari's disdain for things which he considered to. be non-essential. Also, in alloting his share of. imagination, Nature had been exceedingly parsimonious. This was one of his mental deficiencies. Another was � excessive prejudice for things he did not like. He lived very happily :vvith -his. wife, who was a sensible woman of excellent qualities.-\ His thirty-year-old daughter, Hilda, was his. only child; whom he had chained to, Hisjieart with the durable links of respect and affection." This girl was worthy of her father. She was aa proud as Juno, as cold as Diana and as accomplished as Minerva. Thanks to her father's influence over her mind, Hilda's philosophy of Jife was built upon the firm belief that; the .imaginative faculties should be rigidly kept under the incessant and watchful control of cold reason. Therefore) her favorite phrase, a German one, was; Gebrauche gesunde Beurtheiliingskraft. . From the preceding remarks you must admit that Hilda, like her Biblical namesake, was an exceptional woman.
ThatV probably the reason she took an exceptional course when a certain rich man's son, David Hirsch, came looking for the hidden charm of life by seeking . her in marriage. It is above stated that Solomon Framig - was a man of prejudice for things he disliked. One of these disjikes, rooted strongly in his mind, was against our modern colleges. So, when young Hirsch came to ask Hilda's father the big question of "Can I have her?" the reception he got was not-exactly a warm one. At first the- astonished .young man was abashed over the curt, sarcastic questions old Solomon Framig put to turn,
"I don't care much for a fellow that's : been in college,", he began, secretly enjoymg the- took of consternation that for an instant flashed over the youth's face. "Besides, what use is your college education?" belligerently de-. manded Framig, scowling as his strong Hands played with a leaA pencil that lay, together with a volume of "l-aurie and McGlatchey's Homeopathic Medicine," on his severely plain library table.
; Young Hirsh had not expected such a question put in socfr a manner. He saw it was a challenge. So now he nervously, sat up very straight in his chair, somewhat puzzled for an instant just what to replv. "What use is a cojfege education?^ he echoed slowly. "Weft, in the first place, a college education b^racrfal; it's ornamental�"
"Ye*, it'* oraamenuJ all right; PD
-dead wood about a ship, it make* no mighty contribution to the safety or the speed' of the^�88ei. There V too much granted in favor of a course at college." Then, shrewdly appraising Hirsn's slight frown arid
air his views in an argument^ he concluded, with: "And if you don't mind my being a little critical, 1 11 say that results do not sustain the concession."
Young Hirsh moved uneasHy in his chair. He was top courteous to show the displeasure he felt. "Well, I pre-. sume that for some people a college education would be a waste of time," . he smilingly . Admitted, wishing to pacify the other. /. .
But old Solomon caught, or thought he caught, an expression of tolerant commiseration in the other's voice, and it roiled him to be patronized by this youngster. So now he again demanded, rather testily: "What good is your" college? , As a .visitor I've been, as it were, through Princeton with a lantern. I've gazed at its libraries; I've glanced at its dining halls; I've experienced its recitation rooms, and borne testimony ' to its gynmasia, where students ambitious of fractures or dislocations may "find . every last appliance to aid them on their way. But at the finish 1 was "moved to ask: What good is it ^what does the student get?" "I doh't understand," retorted Hirsch.
"This'- is the idea," said Framig, making a gesture' with his short, fat arm. "The Value; of anything depends on comparison of what orje gives with what oner gets. No one -will part with dollars to gain dimes. Ever>^thing in its attainment must cost less than it conies to or the investment is a failure. .That college president patronizingly told me that his institution can take a youth of fifteen of certain book acquirements and give him one year of preparation. Then \vith- four years more he is graduated; in all^ five years; At fifteen it/ is a popular 'theory that one has fifty-five years to live; a theory, be it . old, against which insurance tabulations militate. Take the common view of it, however, the college demands of the student�besides the high fees� one eleventh of his life. Therefore I ask: What does the student get in return? What unusual ammunition does a college Turn ish him withal, which is ID render him more than commonly effect ' tive on the firing line of life? His bed and board don't count, for they would doubtless find their equals in those; feasts and feather beds which. he left behind at home. Your athletics don't count,> for every health "result would have as prompt a coming if the student involved himself with a plow or a pile of cord wood for spaces similar to those expended in the gym. The benefit must, therefore, lurk in ; the curriculum." .
Here young Hirsh started to speak, but the older man raised his hand in a gesture of admonition. "Let me finish/' he � said. "Everyone knows that the biggest scoundrels and grafters in American business and political life are graduates of American colleges. Therefore, I fail to see that the curriculum teaches .decency, honesty or .-morality.- In other words, America's system" of so-called -itigher education is a farce." -
For a moment young Hirsh, who , has listened attentively, sat silently looking down at the Axminster carpet beneath his feet. Suddenly a thought occurred to him, and he chuckled as he raised his gray eyes and stared at Mr. Framig, who now stood wiping perspiration from his forehead.
*"Whai are ~. you really driving at?** demanded Hirsh, smiling affably, as his astute mind told him that all this talk of the oi4 man was only a pcdude for something to come,
"111 be brutally frank with you," replied Framig, who secretly Kfced
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