Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1872-07-23
MlscEl~L AN E.oUs.
A Mid-Air Compromise.

Not many years ago, and not far from the
city of Elmira, at locality known as t.The
Female College," the circumstances we, are
about to relate took place. It seems that,the
| Principal of the college overheard a plan
among number of his young lady students
for drawing young gentleman up to ono of
the third story rooms ''in a basket. at night"
as no gentlemen suitors were permitted to visit
their college lady-oves, and see them alone.
under strict rules of the institution The
Principal acted accordingly; and at. the ap-
pointed time was on the designated spot, and
when the basket was let down. took the lovers
place, gave the "signal twitch,'' and COM
menced going up toward heaven, drawn by
trinity of two angels. When two-thirds up,
the angel expectant, on looking down. from
the window, discovered to her terror and dis
may. that instead of her lover, she lad
another man in the basket ! and nearly fright
ened out of her wits, made, the facts known
to her fair helpers in mischief, with the per-
tinent inquiry of "What shall VIC do ? What
shall We do? On ! girls. girls what shall we
do!" Whereupor one of their number. noted
for her coolness and presence of mind in try>
ing emergencies. said: OF.
s'Here ! you hold on to this cord, now. do
just as 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 aud OMEN
ing it she leaned out Of the window, and in
low firm voice, said, "Who are you there in
that basket?" 7E -
No response.
81 say who are you there in that basket
Do you hear !? I have knife in nv hand,
and unless you answer this in less than ten
seconds will cut this rope !"
styVbv Sc ,o,,r,
me Don't, for mercy sake, cut the rope
Keen your knife farther away from it I,
"Well, You are in pretty fix, professor. a
pretty fix. indeed, and hanging between heav.
EN- and earth, ,sbetween life and death. What
do yon think ought to be done with you p
A principal Of female college, who thus en-
deavors at night to clandestinely reach the
room of a lady student ought to be severely
punished, and also exposed" "''' 49, -
"Oh! [ beg of you not to harm me nor ex-
pose me but let me down again carefully, and
don't let the rope slip!" at'.a.,o 40. =
'Professor," said the shrewd beauty, son
one condition only, will we comply with your
request" E .u.".,-ei - - u 5.,1e-
.'Name it name it !" ",.- -..
't,Yon must solemnly promise that none of
us who have been engaged, in this little ro-
nance shall be disciplined for it. and that you
WIN make no mention or 1t to living soul
while we are inmates of the college; with the
understanding that we are to observe the SOL
ernn promise. What say you7" s.-5.aa.ht
g promse-solemnly promise" ....--t
every well. Hold up your right hand -
You do solemnly swear that you will faithfully
keep and observe that promise, so help you
God r' ,y.'e .sa. d,
''I dor'
Enough, girls! He has taken the oath
Lower away I" ~
| The professor was soon. carefully, and
safely landed on terra frma, greatly to his re-
lief and greatly to the. joy, no doubt. of the
other party to the compromise; and he lived
up to his oath In after years, however,
when time had absolved him from i. and the
lover whose basket he smonop6lizedn on tina.
eventful night. had. as the story goes, married
the girl-who on that occasion was so :.far
above him the professor used to. tell the
adventure to his particular friends and laugh
over it till the, tears ran down his cheeks, as
the most lludicrous scrape he ever got into in
all his college life; and as the only one he
was let out of under an oath administered.
[Schuyler. County Democrat.
Jones aud his wife were always quarrel.