Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1857-05-20
ORIGINAL PAPERS.
For the Spirit of the Age.
A COLLEGE "REMINISCENCES.
BY &" MANIK IN.

81 say, Bob, do you think our plan will
succeed tonight W
The speaker was ayoung man of erect and
dignihed appearance, with a strongly knit
frame, deeply penetrating eyes and an ex-
pansiye forehead-the embodiment of men
tai and physical strength singularly combin-
ed. He was-a Junior in one Of our southern
Colleges and though not distinguished for
uncommon assiduousness to books, yet he
generally sustained himself as well as his
most sedulous rivals. This was owing to his
extraordinary mental capacities, for almost
within half the time his associates were por-
ing over the intricate mazes of some text
book, he would explore its most covert recess
es and possess himself of its contents. Pos
sessed Of insinuating graces, and peculiarly
tender though not fulsome blandishments-
Of warm-hearted, benevolent nature, he
conciliated the general esteem of those by
whom he was surrounded. He was however
sdigularly impulsive, and when free from
College duties, was willing to engage in any
project Of not strictly fagitious character
to crafty his wild propensities. You will
not wonder then, reader, when we tell you
that Tom NJ, was the sine qua non" of
all watermelon, apple and peach flchings-
hen roost robbings and the numerous pranks,
innocent pranks as they are called, which
Honest yeoman when he was expatiating in
the glories of the land of Nod; and also up.
on those students, who should happen to fall
under the direful cognomen of green"
The individual addressed as Bob, was care
lessly reclining his head on knotty produc'
ton Of Euclid, which he had for two hours
been unsuccessfully trying to solve; and was
cnMhug his brow as eyfdentry III ueep C0gfrss-
ton. AT the rude and unceremonious en-
trance of his intimate friend, he started up
as from a profound reyerie and graciously
saluting him bade him be seated, at the same
time remarking with all the characteristic
superciIousness Of school boy, that Euclid
himself was not able to prove the intricate
proposition presented in his work.
&" All now" remarked Tom, "I wish nom
Of your trivial and rejecting remarks abou
old Euclid. You don't study-your vacilla
ting nature won't permit you to extract tn
essence which lies deeply imbedded in tn
precious tomb"
Hold Tom, stop; do you call this bool
precious, and say / have not studied it whel
my head is now aching from the effects of tn
last two hours close application. l hav
heard enough Of your unmeaning and non
sensical lecture, but it seems to be predom
inant trait in you to espouse every caus
which, in itself, is valueless and unimp ortant
and then think every person a simpleton VIII
does not aequiesce in your views"
well, really, Bob, it seems you are turn
ing lecturer, and am very much indebte
to you for your disclosures of my character
and will try to guard strictly against sue
tendencies in the future as you describe
But you have entirely evaded my first our
ry. repeat: what do you think Of our pre-
ject tonight"
a. =. IL
every thing else youdo-exceptw when you dc
live: one Of your foolish harangues-itis is il
geniously planned, and can be as we'll execr
ted; but as for my part beg to be excuse
from participating in it. l feel considerabl
indisposed now, owing in q great measure
TO the exercises Of last night, for / can as
sure you l was hotly chased for two hours
the most unyielding pursuers-the excit
ment and fatigue Of which nearly overcam
me and besides my nocturnal jaunt prove
unproduotive Of any spoils whatever"
'Ah, indeed, said Tom. I" it is we'll enous
to get caught sometimes-it will make "
more yigilant and cautious in the future.
You cannot expect to hook shanghais al
turkeys without some labor and Difficult
occasionally. Have brave heart-apI
yourself perseveringly to your lesson-ea
hearty supper and have every thing ARA
ged when I call for you tonight" So sayi
Tom M, left the room to make the nee
sary arrangements for his contempla
froic
Prior to this time no opportunity had pI
fered itself for disclosing his plan to any
few Of his most intimate and confident
friends. Those, to whom it had been div
ged, thought very highly of its excellen
and that none, save the skillful Tom M
could invent, and carry it on to q final
summation All that was essential nov
its complete success, was, that he should
close it to his fraternal horde, for they wo
at once embrace it with all the enthusiasm
their restless natures. We shall not attel
to fellow Tom through all his peregrinatl
for he appeared to be rem arkably socli
visiting many students, and chatting '
much hiliarity and apparently to the gra
cation Of all his auditors.
As the time approximated for their de
ture, an attentive observer could have
ceived that something unusual was abol
transpire. The " chosen few" had ret
to the room Of our old friend, Bob, W
we left in the morning; and Xho since
fling by the counsels of Toni had ne
mastered the intricate lesson before ALT
to ; had partaken Of large quantity of
which nourishes the inner man and wa
ealing himself Of fine havana cigar
tete-a-tete interview was held--after WI
the ineognitO band wendsd their way
covert grove in the outskirts of the vii
Arriving at this place, we will, for
time, take leave Of our adventurers an
troduce you to a different personage-HC
Glenn.
lie was quite modest and unassumir