Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1831-12-08
TIE UNTIMELY JEST.
AC COLLEGE REMINIsCEN ENCE.

II q
Every one has heard Of Princeton, the
abode of the most abused and insuted al
ma mater that ever attempted to restrain
the wild salles of youth Fifty years n
90 Princeton was as much distinguished d
for its bellies as for its rebels. The stu
dents were not forbidden proper degree
of intimacy with the young females Of the
neighboring family, and many a mad
prank, which ended in the discontinue
Of the grave professors oft college, o.
riginated in the merry malice of these
fair daughters OF Eve. l was at that
time at the head Of the senior class. A
laughing eye, light heart, a great pas
sion for beauty, and wonderful liking
for fun, were my sole recommendations
10 the favor Ofthe ladies'; but soon found
these sufficient. AT all the tca-part,cs,
quilting frolics, applc-peelings, &c. my
presence was deemed indispensable; and
as hirtcd with all without making love
to any, l soon became n universal favor
ite. by the way, let me recommend
such course to all young gentlemen
who wish to shine in the light of female
favor a particular partialty for one inn
plies degree of inleriority in the other
members Of the cotcrie; but when each
can claim portion Of attention, all arc
flattered and all gratified. This piece of
information is somewhat too valuable to
be given gratuitously; however, let it
pass.
How it happened that such giddy and
volatile fellow as myself should ever have
become the friend Of the serious and in
tellectual Mordaunt Ormcsby, ! could
never exactly understand. He had been
pupil in the college, and after complet-
ing the prescribed course of study, had
entered the theological seminary with the
intention of devoting himselfto the gospel
ministry. For this vocation he seemed
peculiarly fitted both by nature and cdu-
cation. His expressive countenancc, his
soft dark eyes, his cheerful yet dignfied
manners, and above all his voice, low,
rich, and clear as the tone of flute, all
seemed to mark him out as one worthy to
be an apostle Of the cross. There was
one peculiarly in his character, which
may perhaps explain the mystery of his
regard for me. This was an extreme
timidity, amounting almost to nervous
ness. He had morbid fear ofridicule,
which frequently exposed him to the very
evil he sought to avoid, and probably it
was the frank and fearless confidence of
my manners which first attracted him to-
wards me, and afterwards rendered me a
necessary support to him.
Every body wondered at Mordaunt's
choice of friend, still more did they
wonder at his choice of a Mistress
When it was first known that he was the
accepted lover Of Cecilia Davenant, the
quantity Of GOSSIP which issued from the
rosy lips of the Princeton bellies was alb
solutely terrifying. To be sure Cecilia
was pretty and good naturcd, but then
she hated the very sight of a book; she
was as fickle as the wind, and $50 fond
Of frolc, that she would rather lose a
friend than spoil joke" Such were
the remarks most volubly poured into our
ears by the fair scandalizers, q beg their
pardon, but we all know that ladies' are
always scandalizers in moderate ,ray.)
CcCllla ;DaVcnunt WAS CcItdhi'y thO
loveliest little romp that ever witchcd a
way the sober senses of man. recol-
lect perfectly well the circumstances un-
der which Mordaunt and myself first be-
held her. We had long been intimate in
the family Of Mr.. Wilson, and had fire.
guently heard his daughter, the gentle
Mary, speak Of her orphan cousin, the
rich Carolina hciress. At length VIC
were told she was coming to spend some
time in Princeton, and the bellies were all
in fearful anticipation of formidable RI
val. Late one afternoon as Mordaunt
and myself we're saunterng along the
path which led to Mr.. Wilson's house,
we heard in an adjacent field loud bursts
Of laughter, occasionally interrupted by
the barking Of dog, and the merry cries
of child. Though the field was con-
ccaled from the read by thick hedge,
we succeeded in finding nm opening nf-
ter some difficulty, and beheld s'ngu-
lar and amusing spectacle. Seated on
the grass was a beautiful child, whom
we Instantly recognized to be Mr.. VIII
sons youngest boy, and beside him
young female, busily employed IN adorn-
ing a large Newfoundland dog with
straw hat and rich scarf, ofwhch she had