Paul's mother
accompanied him to the college. She told the faculty of his peculiar
passion for the water and the dread she had of losing him. Mrs. Boyton
was assured that her boy would be taken good care of. Paul was permitted
to escort her as far as the village where she took the stage for the
rail road again. Their farewell was most affectionate. Paul cried
bitterly, not only for the parting from his mother whom he loved so
well, but for the feeling that he was being exiled for all his crimes
and misdemeanors. The fall session had not yet begun so he had ample
time to become acquainted with the few boys who were already at the
college and to explore the dark pine woods that seemed a new world to
him. Paul inquired eagerly if there was any water in the vicinity. The
boys told him there was a place called the "swimming hole" about two
miles from the college. Next day he coaxed some of his companions to
show him the way. He found a pond, little larger than a hole,
surrounded by heavy vegetation and inhabited by a colony of frogs. He
was soon swimming in its depths and had induced two or three of the
boys to follow his example. Day after day he visited the hole and
made out to enjoy a swim; but he always thought longingly of the far
off, bright Alleghany.
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