Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1872-07-20
OUR DRAMA AT HICKORY HILL.
A HOLIDAY STORY FOR BOYS.

eniy was really line. 1t commanded q long
stretch Of fields and Woodland, with here
and there silver thread of water flashing
amid verdure.
Doctor Arthur was the principal. He
was assisted by Alpheus Hmm, B. A., in
managing the institution. There we're
| other teachers, but they did not reside at
the academy
Doctor Arthur was very good man 10
the main, but, like most of US, he had
some faults. His excessive fondness for
delving for the roots of dead languages,
and his belief in the dogma that boys can
be successfully governed only by the ex-
ercise of the most iufexibe sternuess,
were his most prominent defects.
The chief characteristic of Alpheus
Hmm, B. A., was the concentrated dignity
OF his manners. He was model of de-
pertinent. He stood six feet high in his
stock ings-not that he ever entered the
school room with those necessary articles
in sight-the very idea would have thrilled
him with horror-I mean merely to init
mate that he stood higher in his boots.
The appearance OF his head and neck re.
minded one Of u large cannon ball perched
on thin, round post. A new scholar
had once sung
"'Tis strange that legs so very slim
Can upright hold the stately Hmm
The youthful poet received sound fog.
giny, and he never dared be disrespecttul
again, although there was some truth in
the lines.
The pupils numbered about one hundred,
| of whom j. Will Halet was one. We
were all boarders, and Doctor Arthur ruled
us with a rod of iron. His system Of dis
cipline could have scarcely been stricter.
A half hour on the playground, or. If it
ruined. in the study hall, was all the time
allowed each day Tor recreation. This was
not sufficient; we needed more time for
blowing off steam," as We called it, In
consideration of this fact, hope you will
not too severely censure our method of en-.
joying ourselves when the opportunity
occurred.
One morning, before the regular bust.
ness of the day had begun, Bob Bogys
bounced into the recitaiion-room where we
of the first class were assembled. He
seemed in high g'ce; ga silent laugh,
loud smile," stretched his mouth almost
from ear to ear.
"Good morning. fellows." he ex reclaimed,
"I've splendid news"
Let's hear it. them" was our response,
"and hurry up, for Himms coming across
the lawn with awful strides"
"We-ll," began Bob. drawing the word
out as long as possible, for he knew we
were burning with impatience. we'll, the
gardener told me,-but perhaps I'd better
not tell you until recess-'ime" he
stopped short, looking around with II tan.
talizing grin; "you don't care much about
hearing it-and if you do, patience is
virtue, so III give you chance Of becom-
ing virtuous."
SEQ on. Bob. and stop your foolng."
"Well. old Brown. the gardener. says
that the Doctor is going to Milton for two
weeks; 50 Hmm and the teachers are GO
ing to have supper at the Hen and Chick
ems. on Wednesday ni.ht. when we're all
safe asleep. Amt it j"lly?"
Milton was about eight miles away the
Hen and Chickens was hotel on the Mil
ton road.
Bob continued
"This is Saturday. The doctor will
start to-day. Wen arrange everything at
recreation; and we'll have a stunning time
on Wednesday night-lots of fun. Three
cheers p
The cheers, however, were prematurely
sienced by Mr.. Himm's entrance.
You must excuse Bob's lan.uage-for
at Hickory Hill. we had to learn so much
Greek that he had no time for English.
During the morning Doctor Arthur
came in. and after giving US great deal of
go"d advice, plentifully seasoned with quo
tati"ns from Cicero aud Virgil he informed
Us that he was going away for some days
he said Vale. and suiting the action to the
word, he left the sch"ol-room
The morning passed slowly. At last
the hour for recess struck, aud we gladly
FASTENED to the play. ground.
The play ground was wide strip Of land
surrounding the lawn. No grass was al
lowed to grow on tit was shaded by tall
elms.
The first class held a meeting in one
corner, and Bob Bogys was elected chair
man.
The remainder Of the boys. had their
curiosity excited to the highest pitch by
certain vague hints, impatiently awaited
| the result Of this august body's delibera.
tions. In the doctor's absence discipline
was somewhat relaxed. and our time for
recreation was heightened.
The most important question was, How
should we spend Wednesday evening !?
The majority voted for piay--so it was
resolved that drama should be performed
in the study.hall.
! This determination was made known to
the other classes, and they loudly expressed
their appreciation. Everybody was dc.
lighted. It was no wonder--for wo had
all seen plays during the holidays, and in
consequence, We were stsge.struck.