New-York daily tribune., 1842-12-03
From The Lady's Companion
? 0 YIN 7 rs A u N r.
BY NATHANIEL p. WILLIS.

PoYNTz and l were to meet at Saratoga The
beginning of our intimacy, by the way, was based
or little secret with which | may as well preface
my story.
My name beginning with almost the last letter
of the alphabet, at the tail Of my division in
the college; and this bringing me close to one
side Of the Tuter's chair, while youth, by the
name of Allen, Aanked him on the other, q won
der what has become of Allen, by the by,)
were called upon, usually, for any little aid or Of
Gce required by our august Holofernes. In max
ing out the annual catalogue week or two after
the commencement of our Freshman term, the
proof.sheets were handed US to correct-Alen
taking it from A to NJ, and from M to w. We
were to call upon each student to know if his
name was properly spelt, and to get his prenomen,
one or more, written out in full with his nativity
and present lodging.
called upon Poyntz-hs name printed simply
"Poyntz, in the proof:sheet. had noticed the
youth as snowy, extravagantly-d South
erner, with fine face and person. but apparently
either very reckless of common usages and OBJ
servances, very ignorant of them. He was in
gaily-furnishel lodgings, over booksellers shop.
81 am requested to get your name in full for
the college catalogue, MIR. Poyntz," said l, laying
the paper before him.
He wrote, in most illegible fist word which
looked to me like AImogen.
al beg pardon" said again, bat this will
probably be mis-read by the printer. 1t looks like
lady's name.'
1mogen Poyntz is my name, he replied, with
cold tone of surprise.
Imogen?'
Yes-Imogen!"
Imogen is a ladys name, said /, smiling
Look here the devil it is ~ exclaimed
Poyntz, jumping from his chair and coming up to
me with unfeigned curiosity You don't mean
to say that What lady?"
begged his pardon for bursting into laugh,
but he was quite too eager for information to be
offended.
al have read Of several ladies of that name, -
said |, but the principal in my memory at
this moment, is certain Imogen, wife of Post
hrmus, leading female character in play of
Shakspeare's.
he looked aghast at me for moment in per-
feet silence, admitting the conviction to his mind
with evidently sharp reluctance. There were no
books in the room, except his classics, and STEP
ped below and borrowed Shakespeare of the
bookseller.
''Cymbeline :" said he, as 1 gave him the vol
ume open at the play. :. | have sister by the
name of Cymbene!" I"
My incredulous as,onisbment expressed itself in
boyish whistle, "ong drawn out" like the
linked sweetness" of Milton.
Well! curse you, sir" said Poyntz, you're
bard to please with name. What the DEVILS
the matter with "Cymbeline," should like to
know7"
What--as lady's name?'
aes, sir-as a lady's name'
Perhaps you will just look at the aramatis
persona, said |, restraining my mir,b snr ~.
result. " 1ol 'iie
CfAsELINE, KING OF BR1rAlS ~ povptz
held the book a moment in his hand after read;na
this astounding sentence, then giving j, a toss n,o
the air, ne received i, his toe as i, came dow
and sent it through the window into ,be hac vard
"D--n Shakspeare!" he exclaimed nay, iirL. /.
ing over his chair, and stalking up and Soar ,S
the room in a frenzy" Cymbene and Imogsn ~ :"
My fathers fool, sir. And III &c, out Of ,b;.
cursed place ard go home and tell him SO, sir -
And, say-if you ever pu, that down in you
devilish list there I'll cut cut your heart, sir 10
But l was on the verge of Mysteries by this time
and Mr.. Imogen Poyntz presently Joined in, an
we laughed together, loud and long. As soon a
l could recover my composure, volunteered Sc
orecy of four years. at least on the subject of hi
name, and suggested to him the policy of reso
lutely refusing to furnish moro than the initial lei
ter not only to the catalogue, but TO all curosit
on the subject. recorded 81. Pcynt=," on tn