The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1853-10-05
nl isfclla M.
The Fatal Trick.

Upon one evening. party of collegl-
ans and young bloods Of the town, had
met together at my rooms to play and
carousc. In fact, it was a regular meet.
ing of the hunters, who assembled twice
in every week. We kept it up JOLLY un-
til midnight, having in that time man
aged to get full of Bacchus, when Som
ers proposed that We should sally forth
and astonsh the town by some wcll-plan-
ned and wcll-directcd mischief. With
cut one Of us having very clear concep-
ton of our actions or intentions, VIC hail
ed the proposition with drunken rapture
and started forth. A travelling mena.
gcric had arrived in town the day before
and among tie wonders, was young
bear. The poor animal had been SC
beaten, that he became very humble and
acquired a number of amusing tricks
OF this we were all aware, having visi.
ted the monageric 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 ard place him in tho chemical Ice
ture room, to astonish, on the next day
the professors and class.
No sooner had made a 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 tn. prii C pa avern
The cages, each containing one or more
animals, were iron grated boxes, stand.
ing on wheels, by means of which they
had been dragged into town. They were
ranged around the interior of the tent
forming circular array of wood and
iron. Not imagining that any one would
disturb the animals, the showmon and
keepers had retired to rest along with
the inmates of the tavern, leaving the
tents entirely unmatched. Thus we were
afforded clear field in which to execute
our scheme. After several of our mum.
Der had been posted as sentinels, we
crept in under the canvass and entered
the arena. 1t was some time before we
could, in the deep darkness of the place,
identify the cage in which our Bruin had
been placed to sleep After stumbling
over divers things that lay scattered a.
bout, and peering here and there in the
dark, we found the object of our search /;
there, in q substantial cage, was the dim
outline of the animal, his white eyes
flashing drops of fire, at being aroused
from his slumber.
The next difficulty that occurred to US
was the mode of conveying him into the
college, which was several yards distant
Some of the jewellers 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 be seen by some straggler and
have our fun spoiled. A better plan
was, after much scheming, devised, and
was one that met with universal acqui-
eSceDcc.
In the tavern yard stood a water hogs
head, with a 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 immedi.
ately in front of the hogsheAd, aud drive
the animal in. We could then push down
the lid of the cask, secure it by means Of
a rope passed through the staples, and
roll our prisoner to the college.
No sooner was this suggested than We
bastenened 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--the
hogshead rolled in, and the open end
placed in front of the cage, and the AMI.
NAL stirred up with our canes. With a
terrific yell he rushed in, and we closed
the lid suddenly down upon him. fasten'