Evening Star Newspaper, December 7, 1930, Page 96

12 THE SUNDAY STAR, WASHINGT O THE BROTHER FROM MU—4Gaystary - Incidents of College Life Woven Into an Interesting Story by a Writer New to The Star’s Sunday Magazine. y Tlustrated by Hubert Matthieu. N 48 hours another rushing season would be a memory and Elbridge Sawtelle Strawbridge just a freshman pledge, scum, to be kept on the hop running errands and answering door and phone, but tonight he reclined in Beta Xi’s biggest and softest easy chair while senior hat men perched uncomfortably: on the arms, and juniors and sophomores stood. Duke Fletcher, chairman of, the Rushing Committee, was talking earnestly. “I want you to realize the importance of the - step you're going to take, Sawtelle. You've got a big decision to make. Th-re are two big de- cisions in a man’s life, Sawtclle; when he chooses a fraternity and when he chooses a wife.” “That’s right.” Beta Xi's their heads. “Yes,” Duke want on, “and choosing a fraternity comes ahead of a wife. If you make a mistake in the girl you can get a new deal, but the fraternity is yours until you die. Now that’s why the question of national standing is s0 important.” Duke seemed unconscious of the apprehensive glances toward the dpor. “You can go into any college town in the country and hold your head up and say you're a Beta Xi. “Wherever we've got a chapter it's a strong chapter. Strong as we are here we're just a sample of what you'll find in any Beta Xi house in the country. I can say that without fear of contradiction.” Duke looked inquiringly around the circle. - “That's right, Duke.” The voices were filled with cenviction—almost too much conviction— but again several pairs of eyes strayed nervously to the door. Duke noted with satisfaction that ' Elbridge Sawtelle Strawbridge seemed impressed. He was hooked.- - Now ‘it was just a question of skillful manipulation to land him. Better play him a bit first. “What do you think, Sawtelle?” he m. “I see the importance of national ding all right, and I'm considering you fellows pretty seriously.” Duke showed no trace of annoyance at the freshman’s patronizing manner, A pad- dle would take that out of him quick enough after he was pledged. “Yes, I'm giving you fellows very serious consideration, I don't miné telling you I liked the rating you got in ‘Baird’s Manual.”” Several NOWvutheumewmlhlmlnnmfle closer to shore. Cautiously Duke began: “If you've read ‘Baird’s Manual’ you know the whole story. Of course, I wouldn't sling any mud—but as long as you've read ‘‘Baird’s Manual’ you know as well as I do what the national standing of the Pi Rho's is. 1It's a Jjoke, that's what it is, with a chapter in every hick college in the country. They're about as select as——" “Tell me,” Elbridge Sawtelle Strawbridge in- terrupted,” “haven't you got a Western transfer this term, fellow named Groben, stroke of last year’s Mariposa crew?” It was evident from Duke’s expression that the fish had wrapped the line around a snag. “Well—er—that's right,” he said. “Pine fellow, great oarsman. Here, have a cigarette.” He reached for a large wooden bowl heaped with countless cigarettes. “No thanks, big boy,” parried the freshman wit. “I'm a banjo player—not a singer.” That laughter followed—uproarious laughter —instead of blows showed how badly the Beta Xi's wanted Elbridge Sawtelle Strawbridge. Still chuckling at his own cleverness and happily unaware that another black mark had gone down against his name to be taken out of his hide on initiation night, the freshman pulled out his watch and jumped to his feet. “Here, I can't give you fellows all my time, you know. -I'm overdue at the Pi Rho house Two Senior Society men helped him on with his coat, a Phi Beta Kappa held his hat, and at least a dozen not quite such big men on the campus wrung him by the hand. . “Don’t forget tomorrow; you've got a meal date with us, and there’s a smoker in the evening.” 2 Curiously enough, although the prize had escaped without committing himself to Beta Xi, a general relief was evident. “Well, we got by this time, anyway,” said Beanie Edwards, “but every time you pulled that line about national standing, Duke, I nearly passed out. Sweet stuff if the brother from Mu had barged in right then.” “Don’t T know it?” Duke said. “But national standing is one place we've got it over the Pi Rho’s like a tent. It was going across big, too, until Sawtelle knocked me for a row with that question about our brother from Mu. Il bet the Pi Rho’s put him up to it.” “Sh-h!” Beor Committee gave warning. “Here he comes.” The doorway was filled with the towering bulk of Brother Groben from Mu, hand out- stretched, fingers widespread ready to give the grip. A sculptor would have liked his lean, craggy face and towering build, shoulders like a buffalo and arms that filled his coat sleeves. But Duke was no sculptor. He noted Groben wore no hat, and in addition crime had his hair clipped so el I s Y g0t alinddaid Falb ¥ . nodded’ A sing Smoond scalp showed through all around fo; almost an inch above his ears. “I'm mighty glad to be here, fellows,” Groben boomed, wringing the nearest hand, “mighty glad. And I want to apologize for not getting around sooner. They've had me on the jump . since I hit this burg, and anyway I didnt think a t'ansfer would be much good around the frat during rushing season,” Vigorous' nods of assent. “But now I see my way clear to being some hzlp. I'm here, you bet. We may bz the baby chapter out at Mu, but we've got the real loyalty and spirit of Beta Xi. There's nothing I wouldn't do for the old frat. When I think of what it's meant to me—well—" He choked up with sentiment too deep for words. By the time Groben reached Duke in his grip-giving he was himself again. “Broh Fletcher, you're the man I want to see.” DUK‘! winced, much more from the “broh” than the painfully’ crushing handshake. All that gush about the fraternity, the sort of thing one simply didn't say, and then calling it the “frat,” and now “broh” for “brother.” “Yes,” Groben.continued, “that sure was a sweet dish you had. down by the gym this after.” Again Duke winced. He had often ap- plied “sweet dish” metaphorically to a pretty girl himself, but that-had been over a year ago, when “sweet dish” was in the full flower of undergraduate favor. It had probably just reached Mariposa, he thought, trying not to understand Groben, who had gone on to hint with all the delicacy of an elephant that at Mariposa the bonds of hrotherhood compelled generosity in the matter of what he called Groben quickly bruised. a few more hands. “Yes, sir, there isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for the old frat.” Burly fish thumped into burly palm. His hearers exchanged harassed glances. Thereé were knots of freshmen about the room whose attention was straying omie nously to the commotion at the door. None too soon Duke edged Groben into a little alcove. Groben lowered his voice till it had no more carrying power than a stage whisper. “Say,” he hissed, “are you rushing this fellow Straw- bridge out for erew?” “Why, yes,” Horatioc Whiffle Cathwalder, 34, spoke up, “he’s just left here.” Horatio Whiffie Cathwalder, 3d, grandson of & founder. was a nondescript little runt with buck teeth, pimples, and the best intentions in the world. “Oh, my gosh, I'm sure sorry! I came round on purpose ‘to hielp you get that guy. When's he coming back?” " “Tomorrow after dinner, sbout 8:30 or 9, Horatio said helpfully, missing the unanimous shut-up signal. Poor “Horatio! The look in the senior eyes could only mean that he was going to get tubbed again, and he wouldn't understand why. “You can count on me. INl be here with bells on. I can give that fellow a few pointers, He’s got the makings of a sweet oar if he gets over shooting his tail and snaps into it more on the catch.” There was a fanatical gleam in Groben’s eye. “You've got no idea what it means to get the right catch. We had a bow- man last year came close to losing the inter- collegiates for us—caught a crab. “We got off with the gun, every man together. I took it up to 44 and——" One of the men on the outer edge of the circle melted away. A few minutes later with Groben’s “At the half- mile——" another did likewise. Imperceptibly the circle crumbled at the edges® until at the almost fatal moment when the bowman caught the crab, just before the boat went under the bridge at the three-mile mark, there were only four listeners left. “Well, brohs,” said Groben, somewhat breath- less after stroking the boat through the final sprint and snatching victory from Navy by 10 feet, “it's getting late for me, but I'll be on hand Jtomorrow night sure.” An hour later as the door closed on the last of the freshmen to leave the weary hosts snap- ped off their smiles with the lights, and an odor of stale tobacco smoke was all that remained of the spirit of hearty good-fellowship which had filled the halls of Beta Xi. “Oh, how I'm going to enjoy warming the behinds of a couple of those birds!” growled Duke as he flopped into the big chair in which for the past four hours freshmen had sat en- throned. “That wisecracking spook we're after because he's the best crew material in the trshmmchu—it’saulundotokeepmy hands off him till the end of rushing % President Edwards, known on the “All right, brothers,” he called commandingly. “Let's get along; it's after midnight. Meeting will come to order. Can the radio, Brother Johnson.” “ ATu"mmDolfllenngemmm“w roll call Brother Grammateus cleared his throat and stood erect. “Brothers,” he 1 “let’s make this meeting short and .mz' aaifle ucih do (ssiz oF s RETHTT N it FETAS DR et » :\ \~\’ .~ \\ ¥ \\\‘)/‘ WAt N The doorway was filled with the broad bulk i Duke Fletcher, known from his melting eyes and sharply chiseled features as “Debutante’s Delight,” groaned and pulled himself out of the chair. One of the men perched on the arm promptly slid into his place. “Brothers, we're sitting pretty with 11 good men sewed up and another on the fence—that’s Sawtelle Strawbridge, the crewman. We're not mdmmyunmmlyflnlnhm.m. butuwedon'tnghtb.ckhe'ullnflpvlfl! those dirty bums down the street. They're giving him a big, heavy rush and slinging mud about us right and left.” “Brother Grammateus.” A languid arm sig- naled the chair. “Brother Sowerby.” 3 .. “Before we let ourselves get worked up about mepeopledownmnnetlnmndecm what is to be done about Brother Groben.” Everybody started talking and then yelling at once. ks . “That plow jockey——" : “A real wheat, that bird——" “That shirt——" “That,haircut——" “He’s got the ‘real spirit of Beta Xi’ and there’s nothing he wouldn't do for the ‘old frat,’ the frat!” “ , Finally Grammateus hammering with the gavel and- yells of “Order! Order!” brought . comparative quiet. : “Listen here, brothers. I know Groben's 'a flxug,buthe’lsbrother,nndrnmtmb B have him put on the pan in meeting. Besides, we've got some regular business to transact, -Brother Epistates——" Before Epistates could begin his report there . Was an imperious call from the floor. “Brother Grammateus!” “Brother Sowerby.” Dana Sowerby arose and surveyed his brothers with a slight tinge of superiority. With his long, thin legs and long, thin nose he called to - mind a red-headed stork. Dana returned to the subject of his former question. “Without seeming to eriticize our esteemed brother from Mu, may I ask what we are going to do about him tomorrow night? He is coming over to help rush Sawtelle Strawbridge, you know.” “Why not just tell him to clear out?” a sophomore suggested. “We can’t do a thing like that,” protested Grammateus. “May I offer a solution?” “Let’s have it, Dana.” “It's very simple. Brother Groben has done Duke the honor of falling for his girl. So Duke takes him out there tomorrow night and that keeps him away from here.” Duke's protests were drowned in a chorus of delighted cheers, but finally he made himself heard. “That’s a hot idea. Sic him on your girl, Dana. Why don't you?” “I would in a minute, but it wouldn't work. He’s fallen for yours. What's the matter with you? Afraid of competition from an ape like that?” > “No, you fool, that's just it. What would I rate with Melie if I took that bruiser out there? I can't do a thing like that.” “Where's your fraternity spirit?” “Yeah, for dear old Beta Xi,” added some one else. Everybody laughed but Duke. He was up a tree, which Dana proceeded to out from under him. ; “Do you want the Pi Rho’s to have the laugh on us? You're a fine washout of a Rushing Committee.” “All right, all right.” Duke knew when to give up. Meeting adjourned after one more feeble at- tempt to get the regular business done, and Dana and Beanie descended upen the victim. | “Better call her up right now and be stire she ‘I's 1 o'clock in the “You know darn well she'll be up.” Duke was escorted to the phone room. “This is a terrible thing you're making me do,” be was still protesting as he picked up a cobblestone from under the wall phone. Glumly he took off the receiver and called a number, cents, please,” ¢came over the line. alugn » yicia Qirtb & ot viod Hhos 2ol il ¢ Beanie. «A”// | ready to give the grip. OBLIOINGLY Duke thumped the bottom ef the telephone with the cobblestone. There was the tinkle of a bell and he was connected. “Hello, hello. Is that you, Melie? Have you doneyourlooddeedtodny‘l...cermm,l'm not going to tell you who I am. I'm hurt, deeply hurt, that you don't know my sweet Voice.” “Get going, will you?” hoarse whisper from Beanie. “Can the applesauce.” “Well, seriously, how about my coming out tomorrow night? . , . Who? You wouldn't let a date with an ape like that stand between us, would you?/ Call him up and tell him the game’s been called on account of rain ., . . No, now listen, Melie, this is serious. What I mean is, there's one of the cellar gang we've gottoMoutofmeflytomormmghtot we’ll lose the best freshman in the class, and he's gdllen for you—love at first sight, very romantic . . . Youll know why he’s on the cellar gang when you see him. He's the roughest diamond that ever came out of the West . . . Listen, Melie, 'if youll help me out of this Il mortgage the old home and we'll have ourselves & real party on pledge night—theater and sup~ per and everything. < “You're & real sport, Melie. Maybe I better prepare you for the shock. He's a great big * ‘bruiser right off the range with a four-button suit and never wears a hat . . . Gosh, you're & " real sport, Melie. Don't forget our blow-out pledge night. Nighty, nighty.” Duke hung up and turned on Dana and “Nice pile of jack it's going to cost me squaring myself with Melie, if I ever can square ‘mysef. I'll be just so much deadwood ::qawgnlndbumupwlnnshenumt .Duke, Taultlessly arrayed against the elements in black’ Chesterfield with velvet collar, white- silk scarf and a_ this year’s derby pulled up in front of a house just as the hatless brother from Mu descended the steps. - : “Hi! T've been looking for you all day.” Groben came over to the battered four-year old sport model. “That’80?" he inquired pleass antly. “What’s eating you?” Acute anguish clouded Duke's eyes, but he managed to continue with fraternal warmth, “How about stepping out tonight?” Reflectively the big fellow munched some- thing. Duke wondered whether it was dinner, tobacco or gum. ¥ “Where to?” Groben asked at last. : “Out to see my girl, I had her at the gym yesterday, remember?” 3 Groben did remember. “She sure is & sweet dish, Broh Fletcher"—it was evident that he was being torn in opposite directions—*“and it's mighty white of you to ask me, but I've prome- ised the boys at the house to help with that crew freshman and they’ll be counting orf me up there. I can't go back on the frat.” 7 “They don’t need you,” forcibly. . already.” “Sure about that? I heard some talk down in the locker room about him going Pi Rho.” “Not & chance. We have the straight from his roommate that he's coming our way. Besides we can get back before he leaves.” Groben pulled his lavender-bordered hande kerchief half an inch further out of his pocket and Jooked down fondly at the lavender tie to match. “Lucky I got all dressed up, isn't it?~ He climbed in beside Duke, Five minutes later with an air of renuncia-~ tion he blew out a full pack of gum in probably the flavor still Iasted, and six minutes later he was gingerly enveloping the hmdotulweetlhlt:otmmlndflnflum graced a college town. “Pleased to meet you,” he said in scared voice, very different from assured boom and rumble. At any Duke would have chuckled over frightened by the mouse, but at he was in no mood for humor. full of bitterness as ancing on the edge Melie think of him for brother like that? What any fellow with a lavender tie? Melie fastidious. He shuddered in misery. “And when Duke called up,” Melie’s voice called him, “and said, ‘How about tonight? _ I actually broke a date to,meet you.” of Brother Groben from Mu, hand