Kansas University Weekly.
75
magic. I don't know but it may also be good for bald heads; but you will not need it for that purpose for a year or two. Suppose you get some and doctor those bristles, you will be just in trim then to charm Miss Brandon or any other fair damsel you choose."
"That seems to be a pretty good idea. At all hazards it will not do any harm to try it. Why didn't you mention it long ago? I was just going down the street—I will stop on my way back and get some." As Tom said this he proceeded to put on his hat, button up his overcoat and went whistling down the street.
Jack Trenton settled himself comfortably in his easy chair and took up the evening paper to glance over its contents before beginning the task of his lessons.
Tom Dawson and Jack Trenton had known each other from childhood and had always been good friends. They began their college career together and were room-mates during the time they had attended. They were good-natured jolly fellows and were fond of getting jokes on one another. Jack understood Tom's vanities. He knew how he prized the barely visible down on his upper lip; but, for his part as he had often told Tom, he could not see anything so very entrancing about it. His ridicule was, however, all to no purpose for Tom was firm in the opinion that the only addition necessary to give him an air of distinction was that charming mustache.
When Tom returned Jack was poring over his books and had forgotten all about Tom's "divine" mustache. He did not even look up until he heard Tom exclaim, "I wonder how I would look with a beard, I believe I would be a pretty decent looking fellow."
Jack looked up from his book and saw Tom standing before the mirror applying freely the nitrate of silver to his upper lip, the sides of his face and his chin. Jack was surprised at the confidence his friend had in his recipe for the rapid growth of the mustache, but he only smiled to himself.
my face is as black as a crow where I put that stuff on last night. Do you suppose they gave me the wrong thing? I have been scrubbing for the last hour and it will not come off," at the same time giving a vigorous dig at his variegated complexion.
When Jack awoke the next morning he heard Tom exclaiming, "For heavens sake, Jack,
Jack suddenly raised up in bed and gave a hearty laugh when he saw poor Tom gazing wildly at his reflection in the mirror. The situation began to appear ludicrous to Tom himself, but at Jack's unsuppressed mirth he only remarked, "Never mind, old boy, your time is coming." Then he began again to apply soap and water but all to no purpose. Jack, although he would not admit, felt a trifle worried over the predicament Tom was in.
"Well that is scrubbing enough for one morning" he said yawning in his efforts to appear unconcerned, "You will have to let it wear off. It may be days, perhaps weeks before you will be presentable again. I really do feel sorry, but I will make it all right for you, I will explain the whole situation to Miss Brandon and perhaps I can take your place at the hop so she will not have to be disappointed."
As Jack said this his eyes twinkled for he knew Tom would not care to have the "whole situation" explained.
"O you keep quiet. Don't waste your time talking. I will attend to my own affairs after this" replied Tom with a scowl. "I tell you, Jack, this is serious; the professors would have it laid up for you if they found you out in this smartness of yours, that no one except yourself can see any fun in. But I am going to return good for evil and for your sake I will not let it be known. Of course I cannot attend classes until I become a trifle paler around the mouth. So if any of the boys call, I will manage to have my head pretty well wrapped up and be laid up with a severe tooth-ache. How would that scheme suit you?"
After viewing the whole situation Jack decided that Tom had been sufficiently punished for his vanity and would probably give up his attempts to grow his pet mustache. So he