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

OF practice on the part of the new man,
soon told heavily against them, and after
q most glorious exhibition of pluck, and
an exertion of almost superhuman
strength on the part of Shirley and his
crew, the hopes of st. Valence were
crushed, and they saw the third boat
inch by inch overhauling them, and
heard the cry of bump raised when they
were within fifty yards of the end of the
course. Fortunately Manton was absent
at Hall-time, or he would have expert
enced sundry feelings Of annoyance, as
the unpleasant word was passed along
that he had been the cause of the mis-
fortune, for it would have been next to
an impossibility to repress the opinions
of the men. Every one censured his |
conduct as most unjustifiable, and he
became there and then most unpopu-
lar man. The night was appointed for
the boating supper, and there again
Manton failed to put in his appearance.
The remarks upon his conduct, which
had before been somewhat free in the
supper-room, became violent and angry.
He was stigmatized as a selfish, dishon-
orable fellow, who had, for some hidden
purpose of his own, deserted his post.
Harry Shirley was quite the hero of
the evening, for, though he had failed
to achieve victory, every one was eager
to do justice to the energy and ability
which he had displayed in the manage
ment of his crew, and to his zeal and
activity in behalf of the club. When,
therefore, his health was proposed, the
cheering was enthusiastic, and the shout
ing terrific.
"Three cheers for Shirley!" were Civ
en- over again with such uproarious mer-
riment as was seldom before heard with
in the walls of the old college. One or
two voices raised the cry of Manton !"
and the groan of eXecration that follow
ed was loud and significant. But sud-
denly a cry of" Shirley, Shirley!" arose ;
all eyes were quickly directed to one
part of the table, and in an instant every
voice was hushcd, for Harry had risen to
reply to the toast.
Gentlemen" he said, 81 have striv-
en- to the best of my power to fulfil the
trust placed in me by the members of
the st. Nalence Rowing Club, and
: trust that have satisfactorily discharg-
ed my duty cloud cheers. j trust that
next year you may be more fortunate
and no one will experience more pleas
ure in hearing of your success than my
self (hear, hear. Gentlemen, have tC
tender my best thanks to every member
of the club for the support that has III
ways been given to us. am convinced
that the success of the boat has been q
subject of interest to all (" Mantonw)
and shall not be saying too much when
predict more triumphant May tern
for you next year. My only regret will
be that l shall not be with you to share
in your good fortune"
AS Harry Shirley resumed his seat thu
applause on all sides was loud and pro
longed; and the toast given by hin
was drunk with full musical honors
D And then for a time desultory uproa
) ensued the st. Valence men, inveigh
ing in the most indignant tones agains
i MantOn's detection, and the Out-cOllegt
1 men expressing their astOnishment a
the unexplained conduct of the delin
Z quent. What could have induced hin
Il to adopt so sudden and so extraordinary
determination What could have in
J tiuenced man who had always beel
y passionately fond of rowing, so far as t.
/ make him ruin the chance of his boa
g getting head of the river" 1t certainl.
> seemed an ineXplicable mystery, and al
s concurred in the opinion that his line O
l. conduct was highly reprehensible. a
u the evening wore on the uproar becam
greater; and when twelve o'clock ha,
II struck, and the out-college men had al
~ gone, there was an ominOus mutterin
of Manton's name. The wine was get
e ting into the heads of the undergradu
~ ates, and was prompting them to q
III sorts of mischief.
Wilton, an enthusiast in the cause o
~ rowing, who was to succeed Shirley i
the captaincy, rose and gave vent to HI
III feelings on the college grievance.
y Gentlemen" he said, "we are n
st. Valence men here (hear, hear. NJ
" Shirley, in his excellent speech, dea
III somewhat too tenderly with a certai
Va member of the club (groans), who hf
p been the cause of our coming to grie
a Now wish to say ("Yes! three groar
u, for Manton !") that l consider his col
i'll duct contemplate Gently" frol
e. Shirley. 81 consider that he had L
Se right to treat us SO shabbily (groans an
II hisses). We ought to have an eXplani
W ton {" Yes yesn). l beg to move a vo
nc of censure on Manton. My course is
ie regular; this is certainly only a supp
III meeting; but should like a unanimol
u, expression of disapproval Of his beha
ia ior."
sc The storm of groans and Kisses for Il
10 unfortunate Manton that followed tn
III speech, for some minutes drowned eve
ell other sound. And Shirley strove in va
III to pacify his companions, or to modi
mt their rage. They listened presently
at what he said, but We're by no mea
n; Modified toward the object of their he
tile demonstrations.
he "You are too generous, Shirley" 50
Wilton, who had decidedly had far me
ry wine than was good for him "you knC
'n' you would have been the last man to
an such thing"