8 ACORN The Awakening There are people whose lives are dull and gray. Like the dark, heavy clouds of drear November, they chill the hearts of those about them. Such was John Forest. Twenty years he had lived at Wood-cross and yet there was no bond of fellowship between him and the people of the town. He was a peculiar fellow, of about forty years, with small deep-set, gray eyes, dark shaggy hair, a straight nose, thin, tightly-closed lips, and a rather narrow brow seamed by two deep wrinkles. The only traces the years had left was that the wrinkles were deeper and the hair was slightly gray. At first he had been looked upon with favor, but now it was with a strange degree of pity mingled with contempt. On this particular evening he stood at the door of his cabin intently watching the dark shadows that played upon the snow. Through the stillness of the night there came to him at intervals the jingle of sleigh bells, and, as the sound drew nearer it was mingled with laughter and light happy songs. "I wonder if they're on the river road," he thought, and there fashed before him a picture of the broken bridge he had crossed that afternoon. He listened intently. "No," he decided," they're on the meadow road, but they might return by the river." Again there came into his mind the thought of the broken bridge. If they should try to cross it he shuddered to think of the result. A moment later he had decided that he must warn them. Forgetful of the snow and cold, he rushed out into the night, his only thought being to reach the bridge first. It was a close race. Twice he stumbled and fell, but still kept on. Finally tired and breathless, he reached the bridge only to find that a greater task lay before him. The horses were dashing along at a mad pace. The driver was pulling desperately at the reins, but the animals were beyond his control. Forest gave one bound and grasping the bridle of each horse, was raised off his feet, then dashed to the ground, but the horses stopped. In an instant the crowd had gathered to where he lay on the snow and when he opened his eyes they cheered for him. It seemed to him that he entered a new life when he shook hands with that crowd of college boys, whose thanks were too deep for words. An hour later he sat by the cheerful fire in his cabin. "After all," he thought, "I have not lived in vain." BOB, '15. ACORN 9 Benson's Success The J. F. Wilson Company occupy a three-story business block-on the principal street of the city, Carey; and had, up to the time of our story conducted a successful department store. It was one of the oldest firms in the community having grown from a very modest be ginning, and gradually increased its capital and floor space, until it was now known as one of the leading business establishments in the state. For the last few months Mr. Wilson, the general manager, noticed that there was a decided "slump" in their sales, and affairs had now reached such a state that he realized it would be necessary to either regain the lost trade immediately or decrease running expenses. Wilson had been connected with the firm since its beginning, and for the last fifteen years had acted as manager, ever striving with all his might and energy to increase the business of the company. He was active not alone during the day, but his work often carried him late into the night. He had become so enwrapped with his commercial affairs, that he had reached the point where he denied himself the privilege of attending amusements, mingling with society, taking part in civic affairs, or getting in closer touch with those about him, and above all his own family had been neglected in his vain desire to enlarge the business. Within the passed few years the world about him had been increasing, the city had grown rapidly, and had emerged from a small western town to a flourishing business center, with large mills and factories, as well as wholesale and retail establishments. He was now beginning to realize that with all his capacity for business, and his desire to be constantly engaged in building up the trade, there was something lacking. On the day, that he had contemplated reducing the number of employees, he casually glanced from the window in his private office, on the second floor and watched the movements of the crowd. Many were making their way to Hope & Brady's newly established department store, located one-half block south on the opposite side of the street. This company had conducted their business in Carey, for about eighteen months, and now was recognized as a very prosperous and enterprising firm. Wilson was acquainted with the fact that there was another department store in town, but it never dawned upon him, until the present time, that perhaps his loss was their gain. Was this company depriving him of his customers? Had a company but a few months old come and taken from him the trade that he had been so long in building? Had he been slow in adopting modern methods employed in conducting business? All these questions