One day shortly after his return to Owosso, Jim made the acquaintance of another young man whose name was Bill, through whose association Jim became involved in another of his boyish pranks. This time, however, the prank developed into a scheme of downright dishonesty.
Somehow or other, the two boys decided to concoct a liquid which they called “The Infallible Blood Purifier.” Home-made and brewed without any actual scientific preparation or knowledge, this “stuff” was not only falsely-named but dangerous to drink, as they found out in due time.
Equipped with many bottles of their “Purifier,” the boys entrained on a barnstorming tour of the countryside, by horse-and-buggy, screaming their wares in the market-places of almost every city and village they came to. Most of their customers were farmers, and business was extremely good until, one by one, the farmers became ill. Complaints came thick and fast and the citizenry were up in arms against the boys. It was not long before Jim and Bill were being hunted from town to town by the sheriff, and it was only through sheer good fortune that they managed to elude the law.
It was while they were fleeing that Jim somehow recognized familiar territory and he suddenly realized that they had managed to come to his old farm in Ohio, where he had spent such glorious days with dear friends. The farm was now vacant and dreary, but it held memories for Jim that he would never forget. Inquiring as to his pal, Skinny, and his “Whistling” Jeanne, he found, to his sadness, that his pal had died and the girl had married and moved elsewhere.
So it was with a heavy heart that Jim returned to Owosso to take up once again where he had left off. He had had his fling, was much wiser in the ways of the world and was now ready to plunge seriously and finally into his life’s work.
CHAPTER FIVE
COLLEGE DAYS
When Jim Curwood at last returned from his wanderings on the open roads and along the trails of adventure, he decided that he must have more schooling if he would attain the heights in literature that he so desired.
Jim was determined and he set to the task that he had outlined for himself. The first to suggest that he should go to college and study was Mrs. Janette. But similar advice came from his parents, Fred Janette and most of his friends. Realizing that this would take a great sum of money Jim began to seriously consider the possibilities.
Where would he ever get the necessary funds for even a year at Ann Arbor’s University of Michigan? Where, indeed, would he get the money for the remaining three years which were required for a degree?