The Westerly echo, & Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1854-1858, 1857-03-12

soey euouio oVeISWo tue Omcere, buu
compel them to modify the odious regu-
lations. In this way they thought to
escape the disgrace usually resulting
from rebellion against college laws.
The plan had been boldly discussed
by portion Of the students for some
time, and those present did not hesitate
to bring it forward and combat its feast
bility, in the select circle there gathered.
Arthur Dunning who was naturally some.
what impatient OF restraint, had been
inclined to sympathize with the disafec-
ted party, and bad serious thoughts Of
joining them should their plan be car
ried into exection.
The subject was discussed with much
animation and earnestness by those pres
ent, and variety Of opinions were ex-
pressed in relation to it. After listen
ing to the rest for some time, Arthur
suddenly turned to Ellen Hastings, and
laid,
"Wbat do you think of this measure
Miss Hastipgs' Would you advise us
to join the party who are about to adopt
iti"
81 wouldn't do it," replied Ellen
earnestly, though her cheeks we're in.
stantly after suffused with bushes, as
she thought how frankly she bad ex-
pressed her opinion to an entire stran-
ger.
The words touched an electric chord
in the mind Of Arthur Dunning. 81
wouldn't do it," He was instantly trans
ferred by them back to childhoods days
Once moie more he was in the nursery
at Mr.. Herbert's. The hand of the
speaker was laid pleadingly, arrestingly
on his arm. He could hardly persuade
himself that he did not feel its gentle
pressure. At last he reused himself
from bis musings sufficiently to recollect
that the silence which followed Miss
Hastings last words might seem to her
long and strange. Almost mechanically
be inquired,
"Why noti"
Ellen hesitated. Was she called up
on to express to Mr.. Dunning, stranger
as be was, the sentiments she held on
such subjects Then again the words
OF her dying sister were brought to her
mind. She was sure these sentiments
we're just and right Why should she
hesitate to utter them, when called upon
to do so' She replied
- cannot approve of resistance to
rightful authority. l know there are
young men who, under certain circum-
stances, regard such course as maply.
But to me it seems exactly the contrary
No course is so truly manly in young
man, as that Of yielding'graccfully and
unhesitatingly to the authority Of those
who by virtue Of their Office have right
to claim obedience from him. II the reg
ulations seem somewhat arbitrary, the
manliness and self-command which
yields obedience becomes only the more
evident"
"But are there no cases iu which ar
bitrary rule should be resisted ~
50 l will not take it upon myself to
answer this question in the negative
Allowing that such cases do occur, it
does not seem to me this is one of them
think that every member of the col
lege who joins in this scheme of resis-
tance, will one day regret it. More ma
ture years will show him that he was
hasty and impetuous.
Arthur Duunipg listened to Ellen's
words as to an oracle, though certainly
there was nothing oracular in the man
ner in which they were uttered for
that manner was singularly modest and
unassuming, robbing her words Of wis
dom of anything which could appear
like dictation. AS Arthur remained 81
lent, Ellen continued -
"Pardon me, sir, if / have expressed
my opinions too frankly. My only OK
cuse is, that you asked for such IN ex-
preston of them"
And l thank you most sincerely for
granting that request" replied Arthur,
warmly.
No further opportunity for conversa-
tion with Ellen was presented that eve-
ming, and Mr.. Dunning parted with her
without revealing the fact that he was
the Arthur Of by-gone years.
But Ellen's frank protest against the
proposed scheme of rebellion WAS not
without effect on Arthur Dunning. The
plan was at last carried out by portion
Of the students, who hoped that their
number and respectability would shield
them from disgrace. But this hope
proved delusivc. The officers of the
college were not SO easily overawed.-
Those who enlisted in the scheme were
driven to the alternative of making a
humble confession Of their error, and
promising obedience to the very regula-
tions against which they had rsbelled,
or OF being expelled in disgrace.
But arthur Dunning was not Of their
H. -1ul..ol