The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1866-09-01

shout from those around him and Shir-
ley, who was the coolest man of the lot,
and who had more influence than any
one else, at once saw that, if the meet
ing did not break up soon, there would {
be some summary method adopted of
to Manton the indignant re-
of his fellow undergradu-
ates. Now Harry was no more avorse
to bit of fun than any one; but In the
present temper of the men, and after the
vindictive way in which Blackford had
once or twice in the course of the even
ing spoken of the matter, he feared that
If any scheme of practical Joking were
were projected, it might be carried too
far, and that mischief might ensue.
Don't trouble yourselves about the
man." he said, trying to make the thing
appear unworthy of thought. But Viii
ton Immediately answered:
'"Come, Shirley, that's too bad; you
know you were as savage as any one
this afternoon. Let us finish the evening
well; / second Blackford's proposal to
give Manton bit of our minds, in quiet
way"
"Screw him in," said one.
"Brcak his windows" said a thick
voice.
"No, nor said Shirley. "Not that"
He saw they were resolved upon doing
something, and, as he could not prevent
their carrying out their plan Of punish
ing their late stroke, he strove to change
the direction and modify the action of
their schemes. "Ifyou must have a joke,
let it be harmless one. Remember
the last boating-supper and the broken
windows"
"Confound the windows" said Black
ford.
"Screw the beggar in, and we will
take care he does not get out in hurry
tomorrow"
els old Fernley in bed ?" asked one.
eyes; his lights have been out for
some time"
"Let us get to work then," said sew
eral voices.
"Mind he does not serve you as Black
lDlNt uiNt, SstlN iDiliii uiNA lhioN iii9
! Goals down on your heads"
Gwen take care of that"
We quilted the supper-room, and de-
. scended quietly into the court. The
moon was shining brilliantly, and the
old ivy covered buildings looked still
: and peaceful beneath it's rays. There
was an old legend attached to the tower
, staircase, up which Manton slept. And
as L stood in the angle of the court, gaz'
= ing upon the gloomy side containing his
windows, which were lighted up by the
/ moonbcams, l thought of the hard-work-
ing undergraduate who was said to have
| hanged himself from one of those very
l windows, in bitter despair at his failure
| in the tripos on the previous day. AS
? stood thus musing, and only half listen
ing to the conversation of my compan
e ions, an idea suddenly struck me, and
= hardly thinking what l was saying,
l called out to BlacktOrd:
&. "Hang him in etiigyW
r Bravo" said he, instantly catching
= up my words. "IIang him in cfiigy
t A capital idea! BY Jove, it will look
g quite CHASTITY in the moonlight, ant
t when the bed-makers come in the morn
= ing they will think it is the ghost Of The
4 tower-staircase."
Y | felt Immediately sorry for what
= had said. 1t was uttered on the spur OF
n the moment, and before had reflected
0 on what l was about. But there was NJ
t drawing back now; everybody en-
Y gerly seized the idea, and Blackfor,
j determined that it should be carried
f into execution.
s Harry Shirley cast eproachful glanc
e at me. "You should not have suggest
d ed that" he said.
Il 81 am sorry forit, Shirley. Upon m.
+ so, but 1 spoke almost thoughtlesSly;
l. don't quite like it,"
Il 81 shall stop to see that no injury i
done to Manton; l could not trust then
# in their present mood; they are all rath
II er flushed, and there is no knowing
is what they will do with Blackford t
lead them"
II Suppressing as far as possible all noise
r. we mounted the staircase to Manton'
1t rooms. Our task was rendered some
N what more easy from the fact that tn
Is door was not "sported," so that we Ell
f. tered without the risk of waking him.
IS "Let us see if the fellow is in bed,
n said Black ford. And he was about t
N open the bedrOom door, when Shirle
10 darted forward, and, just peeping il
id instantly closed the door again, and S
a. prevented any one from going in. ii
te at once put the first screw in, and the
r Blackford and Wilton drove each al
er other, and so the door was made ias
us 1t was utterly impossible that he shoul
" interrupt us in our further task. W
then set about the more important pa
he of the work of this night of revelry an
lis riot. Manton was safely screwed I'M
ry his bedroom, after several weak and III
in availing remonstranccs on his part; an
fy was thereby eflectually prevented frol
to interfering with our plans. Blackfol
rs now enthusiastically took up the SUI
IS gestiOn which, I'M a moment of though
less impulse, had made. He dete
i'd mined that the idea should be carrie
ire into execution, and becoming more e
NV cited by the part Of the joke which hi
do already been played, persistently urge
us to complete our purpose. But Il