Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1846-11-13
The YentriIOGuiSt.

My friend and chum, Tim Jocelyn, possessed
to an astonishing degree, the singular power of
ventriloquism. We had entered college togeth.
er-I was his room-mate-and many were the
times that my friend, while we were sitting ogeth-
er of an evening" after all had retired to rest, had
given me proofs of this astonishing faculty, by
filling the garret with the screams Of turkies, the
squealing of pigs, and with different limitations of
the human voice, which he would convey away
TO some remote distance, and then gradually bring
it nearer and nearer, until it reached the place
where we were sitting. 1t was not known to any
of the students except myself, that Tim possess
ed this power, and he exercised it only on a few
occasions while at college, and in one instance
made it subservient to the accomplishment of at
least his own good, and thwarted the purposes Of
villainy.
Tim was numerous, yet frank and noble-min-
ded fellow--an excellent scholar, and much be-
loved by his classmates. There was fellow in
the Sophomore class of the name of David Ben
son, the son of wealthy landholder, who pos
sessed in reality, but little talent, but had super
ciliouS and insoent contemptuous bearing towards
all thestudents whose circumstances were inferior
in wealth to his, that rendered him deservedly
unpopular among the class-yet, notwhstand-
inc. as he was the son of Major Benson, who was
an aristocrat of the old school, and who was de-
srous that his son should be placed in the highest
rank of academic honors, the tutors, (as in duty,
or rather inintereSt bound, made muchof David,
and did not scruple TO exercise leniency and for
bearance towards him, which they did not extend
TO others; and although dozens of the farmers
sons, among whom was my friend Tim, outstrip-
ped him instudy, andinthe attainment Of science
still there was evidently desire on the part oI
the tutors to put him ahead, and to prophecy that
he was destined to become the greatest scholar
of them ali. This misplaced favoritism, added
to the insolent and consequential demeanor o.
Benson, procured for him the unanimous dislike
of all the inmates of the school, and many were
thepranks that were played off upon him. Davic
affected sentimentaity and romance, which wa.
in him perfectly ludicrous-and would sometimes
perpetrate doggerel, which he submitted to the
criticism Of the tutors, and sometimes to the stu
,dents-defcient in meaning or in measure, excep
where he had stolen entire snatches from Byron
"Hours of Idleness," which never failed TO gail
him the sneers of the school in the same proper
ton as his verses were commended by the teach
ers. On one occasion he appeared at the adoin
ing village, with copy Of his latest effort tacket
TO the skirt of his coat, which some mischievou
before Benson's departure.
During a summer vacation, a ball was given o
the neighboring village, and Benson and Tim, a
mone other students, who had remained durin
the vacation, were invitedto attend. Among tn
Young ladies in attendance at the ball, was Eliz
Ayres, a beautiful girl of eighteen, whom repor
said was a great heiress. She was an orphan, an
under the guardianship of her uncle, a miserl
r IL oil nv
tended over his household, had as yet been with
held from his ward. Benson was here introdl
ced TO Miss Ayres, and exercised the whole
his powers, TO render himself agreeable to he
Tim was also introduced-and before the evenin
drew to a close, it was easy to discover that tn
intelligent and beautiful girl had drawn in her ow
mind the difference between the two young mel
She seemed annoyed at the vapid tom-foolerit
of Benson, while she listened with respectful a
tenton TO the conversation of Tim. The anus
ments broke up for the evening. Tim was stal
ding by Miss Ayres, who, after some remarks
to the happy manner in which the evening ht
passed away, concluded by inviting Tim to ca
upon her at her uncle's. Before she had fnisht
this sentence, Benson came up, and politeness a
forded her no alternative but TO offer the same i
vitation TO him. He was about to offer TO accor
pany her home, but Tim had been TOO quick f
him there. Tim accompanied the lady hom
and Benson returned mortified to his room. I
however formed the determination of visitil
Miss Ayres, feeling the full assurance that tt
would yet come off second best, when it becar
known that Tim was but the son of farmer
moderate circumstances, while he was the son
Major Benson, with fortune at his comman
He accordingly often called on Miss Ayres; a
her uncle, for reasons which will hereafter be G
planned, encouraged his visits, and exered hims
in his behalf, as suitor to bis niece. Bens
was fairly in love, and as many lovers do, he .
sumed virtue and amiability indeportment viii
was but i'll feigned, and his real character won
often appear in spite Of himself Tim also h