, 1862-09-25
The Tragic Farce.

collision between the town and gown, although
the yogng gentlsmeh were accused Of what was
chronolpg gically impossible. @re
People have eright 70 be angry at being stig-
probability on their side; but thu "taking of"
Of Downie occurred when the gOwIsnieh 50 ma
lgned were IN swaddling clothes.
But there was Q time when, to be branded a.
an accomplice in the slaughter Of Richard Dow
ME, made the blood run to the cheeks Of many .
youth, aud sent him hOfie 10 his books thoroughly
subdded.. " '-T
DOwnie was SsSHcrrist u janitOv at Marischal
College. One Of his dIties consisted in securing
the gate BY . certain hour; previous d. which
all the students had to assemble In the common
hall, where Latin prayer was deliSefed by the
Principal Whether in dischargihg this function,
DOwnie was more rigid than tls predecessors N
Office, or whether be became stricteT in the per-
iormahee o. Il at one tilfie than another, cannot
be dsceFtained; but there can be no doubt that
he closed the gate with austere punctuality, and
that those who were not In the common ball
within minute Of the prescribed time, were
shut out, and were afteTwa ards reprimanded and
fined BY the principal and professors The, stu.
dents 6ecaie irrilSted al this strctness and took
every means Of annoying the sacrist; he IN bis
turn applied the screw at other points Of acade-
mic routine, and 6erce war soon began TO rage
between the cOllegans and the humble fhnctiUh1
ary. "
Duenie took care that in al his proceedings
he kept within the strict letter ef the law; but
bis opponents were not so careful, and the de-
cisions Of the rulers were uniformly against them
and In favor Of Downie. Reprimands and fines
having failed in producing due sub0 dination,
rusticatiOny suspension, and even the extreme
sentence Of expulsion, had 10 be put 10 force,
and, in the end, law and ordef Hfevailed,
Buta secret and deadly grudge continued TO
be entertained against D0wnie.
DOwnie, in common with teachers and taught,
was enjoying the leisure Of the short New Years
Vacation-the pleasure, no dOgbS belng greatly
enhanced " the relief from the annoyance %
which he had been subjected during the recent
biekerings-w AZ he was one evening seated
with bis family in bis Official residence at the
gate, q messenger informed him that gentleman
Il . neighboFing hotel wished 70 speak with him.
DOEni5 obeved The snmnons, I'D was ushefod
from one room u an0lher; until at length he
found hiIpsPlG In q large apartment hung with
black and lighted with solitary candle.
Alter waiting ior some time in this strange
place, about tlfiy figures, also dressed IN blAek |
and with black masks on their faces PRESENTED
They arranged themselves In the form Of |
court, and DoWuie, pale with terror, was given |
to understand that be was about to bsPut On bis
trial. l-f lss
A Judge took his seat on the bench; q clerk |
and public prosecutor sat below; Jury was |
empsnneIled In front, and witnesses and specta- 1
tors stood around.
Downie Al Ilrst set down the whole affair Is
ioke: but ne proceedings were conducted |
win Sich present rYavitV hat, in epile Of him.
self. he believed n the genuine mission Of the
awful tribunal
The clerk read an Indictment, charging bin l
with conspiracy against the liberties Of the stu
dents; witnesses were examined In due form,
the public prosecutor addressed the jury and
the judge summed up h.,
"Gentlemen," said Downie, the Joke has
been carried Gar enough; Il is getting l2ie, and
my wife and family will be getting anxious about
ne. II have been too strict 10 times past I
am sorry for Il apd can assure you will take
more care In the fItufe."
"Geutlemenof the Jury, /" aid the Judge, With
out paying the slightest attention to thls appeal,
"consideT your verdict; end u YOU wish 10 re-
tire, do 90" The Jury retired.
During their abeepce, the most pf5!odhd ii.
lence pretailed aud except renewing the soli-
tary candle that burnt beside the judge, there
was not the slightest Increment.
The jury returned and recorded . verdict Of
guilty.
The judge sOlemnly assumed 4 large black
eSp, and addressed the prisoner.
SRichard Downie the jury have nnanimonsly
found you guilty Of eqnEprtRg against the just
liberties and immahities o. the students o. Ma,
ris bal college. lou nave wan.ony ptovoNeo
and insulted those mailenslve nsgeS or sotne
months, and your punishment WI a.soreay ~ ss n
condIgn: YOU must prepafs ,ot oe-en. ~, n ~
teen minutes sne sentence o. 'ne 0Ou' =" "
carried into ehecI II
The judge placed his watch on ehench
block. an axe, and bag Of saWdnSt were brought
into the corner Of the room. A hgute more
terrible than any that had yet appeared came TOR
ward and prepared to act the part OF the dOom-