Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1851-05-15


His angry tail; red roll his eyes, dilaed grows
Where his vast neck just mneles with the spine.
Sheahed in his form the deaCly weapon lies"
Upon one evening, party of collegians and
young bloods of the town had met together at
my room to play and carouse. In fact, it was
regular meeting of the hunters, who assem-
bled twice in every week. We kept it up
jolhly until midnight, having in that time man.
aged to get full of Bacchus, when Somers pro-
posed that should sally forth and astonish
the town by some well-planned and well-di-
rected piece of mischief Without any of us
having very clear conception of our actions
or intentions. we hailed the proposition with
drunken rapture, and started forth.
A travelling menagerie had arrived in town
the day before, and among the wonders it con-
had been so well beaten, that he became very
humble, and acquired number of amusing
tricks. OF this we were well aware, having
visited the menagerie the day before. Just as
We passed the spot where the animals were
confined, it occurred TO me what rare sport it
would be TO capture young Bruin and place
him in the chemical lecture room, TO astonish,
on the next day, the professors and the class.
No sooner had | made proposition TO this
effect, than it was adopted, and all volunteered
their assistance in carrying it into execution
The tent or pavilion which covered the beasts
was erected in the great yard of the principal
more animals, were iron grated boxes, stand
ing on wheels, by means of which they had
been dragged into the town. They were
ranged round the interior of the tent, forming
circular array of wood and iron Not imag-
lining that any one would disturb the animals,
the showmen and keepers had retired to rest
along with the inmates of the tavern, leaving
the tent entirely unmatched. Thus we were
afforded clear field in which to execute our
scheme. After several of our number had
been posted as sentinels, the rest crept in under
the canvas, and entered the arena 1t was
some time before we could, in the deep dark
ness of the place, identify the cage in which
our friend Bruin had been placed 10 Sleep
After stumbling over divers things which lay
scattered about, and peering here and there in
the dark, we found the object of our search
There, in substantial cage, was the dim out
line of the animal, his two white eyes flashing
drops of fire at being aroused from his quiet
slumber.
The next difficulty that occurred to us was
,f ,bo
which was several hundred yards distant
Some of the revelers proposed that we should
throw halter around his neck and so drag
him along. We rejected this, not from any
personal fear, since we had arrived at that
point which makes one oblivious Of danger,
but lest we should by seen by some late strag
gler, and have our fun spoiled A better plan
was after much scheming, devised, and one
which met with universal acquescence.
In the tavern yard stood water hogshead,
with sliding lid fastened by means of hasp
and staple. We had only TO roll this in, slide
down the box from the wheels, open the door,
Immediately in front of the hogshead, and drive
the animal in. We could then push down the
lid of the cask, secure it by means of rope
passed through the staples, and roll our pris-
oner and prison-house to the college.
No sooner was this suggested than we has
tened to put it in execution. The cage, with
our united efforts, was slid quietly down from
the wheels-Bruin growing all the while
with anger-ihe hogshead was rolled in and
IL
animal stirred up with our canes. With a
terrific yell he rushed in and we closed the lid
suddenly down upon him, fastening II at the
same time in a secure manner. The yell of
the bear had reused the other animals, and our
ears were regaled for The next ten minutes with
variety of hideous sounds, that awakened
fearfully the sleeping echoes of the night
The animal in the hogshead growled. and his
voice came like distant thunder, so deadened
was it by the wood in which he lay. His fell
lows had no incumbrance to their voices, and
they howed as clearly as though they had
been in their native forests.
Fearful of being discovered, we remained
quiet for time, holding our breaths in sus-
pense But no one disturbed or thought of
disturbing US. The animals often started a
chorus OF strange noises during the night, and
the keepers thinking nothing unusual to be
the matter, merely cursed the unruly beast for
destroying the unity of their rest, and turning
back, went to sleep again.
As soon as quiet was restored, we slit hole
In the canvas, for we were afraid to emerge by
the aperture which faced the tavern, rolled our
hogshead through the yard TO the back gate,
which we unfastened, and then passing into
the road started at a quick rate for onr place
of destination. Over and over went the hogs
head, the animal within growing at the rough
treatment he experienced, and we were nearly
convuised with laughter at the uncouthness of
the noise which he made. -....
At length we reached the back part ofthe col
lege, when one of our party climbed over the
wall and unfas,ened the gate. We rolled in our
prize to the back door OF the laboratory, which
was the place where orr professor lectured--
We found that in consequence OF the narrow
ness of the door, the hogsheadwould not enter.
Such being the case. we were about to start
the animal through the open door, when an
idea more rednlent of fun struck the fancy of
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