“He was courted and petted by all the mothers in town—anxious to provide for their daughters,
“The young ladies themselves were oftentimes at loggerheads to see who should advance fastest in his good graces.
“As there were several female seminaries within a few miles of town, intercourse was frequent at the houses of mutual friends or relatives.
“Many young men attending the University had sisters at a magnificent seminary but two miles from town.
“And as the yearly gymnastic exercises of our college were about to commence, evening drill was often patronized by the fair, so that the University grounds presented a gay and animating appearance during the beautiful evenings of May and June.
“Templeton had been elected chief of the gymnasts this year, and in his blue uniform, faced with red and gold, presented a fine appearance; so that there was more than one pair of eyes among the ladies who watched his movements with interest.
“At the end of gymnastic drill, which had been witnessed and much applauded by the fair, an old gentleman advanced to Templeton, and presented a bouquet.
“This was nothing unusual, for the ladies seemed to take delight in pelting flowers at us as we filed past them. But, as he took the nosegay from the old man, Templeton perceived a young girl laughing and blushing among a knot of her schoolmates, who were apparently joking her.
“‘I never saw her before; she is very pretty. I will make her acquaintance if I break my neck over it,’ thought Tom.
“Templeton went into town that evening, and returned to his rooms very late.