Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-04-06
CHAPTER III.


One bright, balmy evening in Septem-
Der, about the middle of the third session
of Harrys college life, we find him seated
in his room in his large rocking chair en-
joying the luxury of his pipe, whilst his
mind seemed to be engaged with pleasant
memories, or his thoughts wandering far
into the uncertain future. Judging from
his placid countenanee, from the smile that
occasionally plays Ger his noble features
tits pleasant reverie in which he is indu.-
ging. Perhaps he is looking forward to
the time when he shall graduate-graduate
with honors: he sees himself the pride of
his old fathers heart: looking further on,
he sees himself as he ascends round by
round the ladder of fame-admired-
courted. Still farther on he is in the Sen
ate chamber, whilst the people hang en-
tranced upon the eloquence of his words:
his fame extends throughout the land
while the people with praises breathe his
name. Oh! young ambition your dream
will neoer be realized.
lis thus we find Harry, when up comes
his old friend and chum, William Perci-
val; and there and then the conversation
related in the beginning of the foregoing
chapter took place.
After his friend left him, he began to
reflect upon his position. His thoughts
ran back to his old home-to his father, to
that dear, gentle mother; he remembered
when parting with her how with "God
bless you, my dear boy" she begged him,
for her sake, to beware of the wine cup
How that good old father, with tears in
his eyes, bade him "Good- bye" and told
him "to be a man," He remembered his
feelings when the previous session he had
gone home to his par ,dispissed sod f,e1, .on
olutions he then made. Yes, all these
things came up before his mind, and even
now he half determined that he would re-
tract his promise to his friend, and remain
in his room and attend to his collegiate
| duties.
"But these fellows" he said to himself
"wil have glorious time to-night-no
body to be there but the members of Ou1
- good old club. They'll drink and carOuse
q but what of that? That is all fun. An(
Jack Simpson will be there, too. | hav,
not seen him for a long time. He is
splendid fellow and particular friend Q
Is mine. And know should be SO warml
,e welcomed too, for they all will be glad t
n see me. Well, | believe | aciI 90, for thl
Of once only-and then | am done. Wei
O. here come Dick and Bill, as gay and happ
a as can be; | don't believe a serious though
is ever found place in their bosoms.
m "Wcll, Harry" cried the latter, slappin
ne him on the shouldcr-"come, we will g
. if you are ready. Some of our friends hay
In already gone down, and soon the "corl
is will be tlying"-then Homer and Horac
Ms goodbye for a while"
on "Yes," pat in Dick, "and we will see mo-
nd fun tonight than our old Pres. and all b
~ 'poSSe ccnitatus" ever saw in life tim
.b- Hurrah for "our crowd" don't you say S
ofI boys Z" And three loud hurrahs went l
from three gladstone hearts. Then tur
,ut ing, they all walked merrily down Il
Did street. The die acaS caSt-and Hdr
ars SomT0iAles fate acas sealed! He h
eh- yielded to the cravings of an evil appeti
,n- instead of to the demands Of moral duty
mt. had disregarded the pledge which fl
led months before he had given at the earn'
all request of fond, doting mother Let
ew see the consequences.
nds Il
the In large and brilliantly lighted roo
use around a table spread with all kinds of c
eir ables, were assembled about fifteen or tw,
Ill ty young men. Mirth and gayety reign
all supreme, for the wine flowed freely and
ood were happy-at least so they thought
his Songs and jokes, and unrestrained mi
was marked the hours as they passed unheeC
and by. Bottle after bottle was opened ;
sion glass after glass was emptied: the exc
hat mcnt each moment increasing. Finally
and was proposed that cards should be int
duCed. No one objecting, the insepara
ned companions of the bottle were broug
with then separating into groups, they CO
ONE menced to play.
Ding Around table engaged at Poker, "
and Harry Somerville and three of his frie1
the They were all drinking very freely, wi
'dcd. their flushed faces and excited manners
on a too readily indicated; but nevertheless
vhat were shouting and laughing-they '
II joyous and happy but it was the ha
up ness that wild, intense, unnatural ex
pros mcnt brings, which, when it subs
ncr- leaves behind 1t gloomy and depre
oaor state of mind. They had played thus
pulse hours, when William Percival, one OF
ouud company, pouring his glass over full
causing the liquor to run all over the
had staggered up and shouted
lIgcd well, BOYS, to those of us that are
| cas- ling to stand by each other under all
appy cumstaaces-to stick by sour good
innate club" Though she takes a spree whe
css-- meet) / say to those whole-souled fel
o, be- here's my right hand in friendship
they to them "happiness here and supreme
't his pneas hcrcattcr;' then, after pausiug