The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1872-07-30
A Mid.Air Compromise.

Not many years ago, and not far from
the cityof Elmirs, at locality known as
the Female College" tho circumstances
we are about to relate took place. 1t
seems that the principal Of the college
overheard plan among number OF his
young lady students for drawing young
gentleman up TO one Of the, third.story
rooms "in q basket at night" as no gen
tlemen suitors were permitted to visit
their college lady.loves, and see them
alone, under strict rules Of the institution.
The principal acted accordingly; and at
the appointed time was on the designated
spot, and when the basket was Let down,
took the lovers place, gave the "signal
switch" and commenced going up toward
heaven, drawn by q trinity Of angels.
When two.thirds up, the angel expectant
on looking down from the window dis
covered to her terror and dismay, that in.
stead of her lover, she had another man
in the basket; and, nearly frightened out
OF her wits, made the facts known to her
fair helpers in mischief, with the peril
nent inquiry OF "What shall we do
What shall we do? Obi girls, girls,
what shall we dor" Whereupon one of
their number, noted for her GOODNESS and
presence Of mind in trying emergencies,
said:
Here you hold on to this cord, now,
do Just as I tell you, and I'll take care Of
the man, no matter who he Is, or where
he comes FROM"
Then taking out her pocket knife and
opening 1t, she leaned out Of the window,
and in low voice said, "Who are you
there in that basket"
No response.
az say who are you there in that bias.
ket? Do you hear ? / have knife in
nv hand, and, unless you answer this In
less than ten seconds l will cut this rope"
"Why, it's your principal; don't you
know me2 Don't, for mercy's sake, cut
the ropel Keep your knife farther away
from itP
"Well, you are in . pretty fix, professor,
a pretty fix, indeed, and hanging between
heaven and earth, between life and death.
What do you think ought to be done with
youf A principal Of female college,
who thus endeavofs, at night, TO clandes-
timely reach the room of lady student,
ought TO be severely punished and also
exposed.H
"Oh! I beg Of you not to harm me nor
expose me; but let me down again care
fully, and don't let the rope slipl"
professor" said the shrewd beauty,
ION one condition only will we comply
with your request"
Name i'll Name III" " 20
"Youm must solemnly promise that none
Of US who have been engaged In this
little romance shall be disciplined for 1t,
and that you will make no mention Of it
to a living soul while we are inmates Of
the college, with the understanding that
we are to observe the solemn promise.
What say your"
81 promise solemnly promise"
"Very well. Hold up your right hand.
You do solemnly swear that you will
faithfully keep and observe that promise,
so help your God"
81 dor
Enough girls He has taken the oath.
Lower away"
The professor was soon carefully and
safely landed on terra firma, greatly to
his relief, and greatly to the Joy, no doubt
the other party to the compromise; and
he lived up TO his oath. In after years
however, when time had absolved him
from it, and the lover, whose basket ,ht
"monopolized" on that eyentful night
had, as the story goes, married the girl
who, on that occasion, was so "iar allow
him"-the professor nsed to tell tho I'D
venture to his particular friends, snt
laugh over 1t till the tears ran down hi
cheeks, as the most ludicrous scrape h
ever got into in all his college lie; and q
the only one he was let out Of under al
oath administered. Schuyler County Dem
Ocfdt.