ther changes in his faculty West decided to defer till the beginning of
a new year. All his surplus energy should be concentrated, he decided,
on raising an endowment fund which should put the college on a sound
financial basis before that time came. But here again he collided with
the thick wall of trustee bigotry.

In the city, despite his youth, he was already well known as a speaker,
and was a favorite orator on agreeable occasions of a semi-public
nature. This was a sort of prestige that was well worth cultivating. In
the State, and even outside of it, he had many connections through
various activities, and by deft correspondence he easily put himself in
line for such honors as they had to offer. Invitations to speak came
rolling in in the most gratifying way. His plan was to mount upon these
to invitations of an even higher class. In December he made a much
admired address before the Associated Progress Boards. The next month,
through much subtle wire-pulling, he got himself put on the toast list
at the annual banquet of the distinguished American Society for the
Promotion of the Higher Education. There his name met on equal terms
with names as yet far better known. He spoke for ten minutes and sat
down with the thrill of having surpassed himself. A famous financier who
sat with him at the speaker's table told him that his speech was the
best of the evening, because the shortest, and asked several questions
about Blaines College. The young President returned home in a fine glow,
which the hostile trustees promptly subjected to a cold douche.

"I'd like to inquire," said James E. Winter, sombrely, at the January
board meeting, "what is the point, if any, of the President of Blaines
College trapesing all over the country to attend these here banquets."

They used unacademic as well as plain language in the Blaines board
meeting by this time. West smiled at Trustee Winter's question. To him
the man habitually seemed as malapropos as a spiteful old lady.

"The point is, Mr. Winter, to get in touch with the sources of endowment
funds. Blaines College on its present foundation cannot hope to compete
with enlightened modern colleges of from five to one hundred times its
resources. If we mean to advance, we must do it by bringing Blaines
favorably to the attention of philanthropists who--"

"No, _sir!_" roared Winter, bringing his contractor's fist down
thuddingly upon the long table. "Such noo-fangled ideas are agains