Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1858-07-02

repress the inclination to follow suit, and
with view to check the impulse, observed
that such wanton mischief was iiexcusa-
bic in young men.
8But this was not the end Of my troub-
les, sir" Mr.. Berne resumed in the same
earnest tone. "When / retired to bed, It
was with the expectation of good nights
rest after the labor had undergone; but
even this was denied me. Scarcely had
the house become quiet, when there arose
the most discordant noise had ever heard
The students had armed themselves with
tin-pans, blowing horns, broken -winded
clarionetts, cracked COW bells, and know
not what besides, and each seemed to strive
to make the loudest noise. At this ele-
CANT pastime, they spent the greater part
Of the night, and for no other purpose,
under heaven, than to keep people awake.
l arose early the next morning, deter
mined to quit the place as soon as could
get my boot mended, which was torn
whilst pulling down the fences. For this
purpose, went in search of shop, and
had not gone more than twenty yards,
when I saw the sign of boot; and un-
hesitatingly walked into the room, where
I saw tall, genteel looking man, with
spectacles, sitting by book case, poring
over the contents of volume. I was
surprised at seeing, what / took to be,
literary shoemaker, but not suspecting
any trick, l at once told him my business
He arose with dignity, and after cycling
me for moment, said:
II either did not hear you rightly, sir,
or you are laboring under strange mis-
take; for can not suppose that man of
your appearance would wantonly insult
me-"
"Cetainly not, sir" replied. "But /
am at loss to know why shoemaker
should take ofense at being asked to mend
a pair of boots
"This is an indignity to which I will not
submit" He exclaimed, in a towering
passion, "And I will teach you what it is
to insult gentleman He then but
toned up his coat, tucked in his rufles
and made towards me. Not knowing what
else to do, under the circumstances, I pre-
pared to receive him; but, as luck would
have it, gentleman stepped in, and, pla-
cling himself between us, demanded the
meaning of our belligerent attitude.
explained as briefly as l could, when he
burst into roar of laughter, and as soon
as he could, told my antagonist that he
had just seen the boot hung up over his
door, by some of the students, and had
fastened to apprise him of it, lest some
such mistake should occur. The lawyer
for such he was-apologised for his share
of the transaction, and I, for mine, and
we parted in mutual good humor."
This time, Mr.. Lee joined Helen in the
laugh which they could not keep back
Mr.. Berne looked as if he thought their
mirth was ill-timed at least; and Helen,
in answer to his thoughts, which We're as
a written language to her, said, by way Of
soothing him:
"You, my dear father, are the last per-
son to be offended at the thoughtless tricks
of set Of wild students, since, by your
own account, the citizens Of Williamsburg
had cause to rejoice when you left Col
lege."
"True, my child )" he replied, in gen
tie tone;" the recollection of my own fol-
lies ought to teach me charity for those ol
others, and thank you for the hint
But here is long hill before us, and as ]
feel cramped, I will walk up it, to rest my
self and favor the horses"
"I am surprised, Miss Berne," said Mr.
Lee, when they were left alone, "to see
your father so much disturbed by the re.
collection of an incident so trifing."
"My father is not easily disturbed,
Helen replied; "and no man has more
charity for the follies of youth. But there
is circumstance connected with that ad-
venture, which has reference to times long
passed, and to some of the most cherished
feelings of his heart--the remembrance o.
which almost makes woman of him.
The cloud is soon dissipated, however, anC
he is as gentle and cheerful as ever"
"And that circumstance, Miss Berne, il
it family secretP Believe me, I ask
from no idle curiosity"
Helen scarcely knew what reply t.
make; but, after little reflection, conclu
ded that, having alluded to the cireum