Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1873-07-24

DECLARED THE WINNER - WESLEYAN
SECOND.
Thursday, the last and great day of
the college races, at Springfield, opened
calm, dull aud sultry. The sun, which
set the previous evening in magenta and
gold, arose that morning without a tinge
of partisanship in its cOloring hiding be-
hind gray clouds of unpleasant promise.
The night had been fairly bridged with
talk, to which the irrepressible under
graduate enthusiasm seemed to find as
satisfactory a vent as in the uproarious
demonstrations of past regatta days.
The hideous revelry that has preceded
and accompanied other contests within
easy recollection was conspicuOusly alb
sent and the riotous chorus, the crash
of glass, and the number of bottles
bowled down staircases were heard only
in the echoes of memory. Not even had
a pool been sold, and such as can be
happy only with a wager laid according
to the strict doctrine of chances found
it very difficult to discover the prop
er odds on the field against the favor
ties.
With the opening day also was renew
ed the Eruption that had sustained few
hours pause; and where two had stood
to argue the chances the night before,
now there was an eagerly ClamOrOus
crowd, recruited from the fast arriving
railway trains. From the south and
west came the blue of Yale in a multi
tude of flying ribbons, the green and
white of Trinity in modest number, the
lavender of the stout Methodists of Yves
leyan, and the purple and maroon and
white of the Amherst boys. A storm of
magenta poured in from Boston, flood
ing the city with crimson; and rainbow
hues from all quarters flashed on hat
band and neck-tie, and Haunted from
lapel and button-hole. While the deco
rated crowds were surging through the
town, the quiet residences of the oars
men offered a curious contrast.
Pools were quietly sold, in which it
became evident that Yale's place among
the unrecogniZed was changed under
later advices. The two veteran rivals
took their place side by side, and Harry
ard and Yale were quoted as the leading
favorites at dinner-time, probably on
account of tradition as much as any
thing.
What little money was wagered, was
placed according to personal preference,
with a most distinguished consideration
for the merits and ability of the ''field. :"
The probabilities of the early morning
became certainties, and the rain descend
ed in contemplate drizzle. Now, al
though light patter of rain is by no
means dreadful to the oarsmen, inasrauch
as much as it is supposed to beat down
the waves and smooth the obstructing
ripples, to the spectator it is less agree
able. Bonnets gaily trimmed with the
competing colors of the day vanished
from the streets, bright cloaks and toy
gerry of emblematic hue suffered eclipse
under waterproofs, and each male but
toned his coat and raised his umbrella
But between the showers there were fire.
quent intervals when courage revived
and joyous carriage loads trundled over
the pleasant country road, no longer
dusty and sitting, toward the scene of
the race, and glowing toilettes of blue
and magenta and green lodged the rain
drops as they shot past
In one way and another the city emptied
itself and distributed natives and strang-
ers down each bank of the river, which
was peopled as far as the eye could reach
from the starting point, and again crowd
ed with an accumulation Of eagar hui
manity at the grand stand near the
stake boat. Even under the dull light
of the clouded sky, the scene was highly
picturesque and lacking in vivid beauty.
The river streatched away between its
high banks smooth as a mirror On
either side, nestled among the trees, the
lighthouses and homes of the several
crews showed glimpses of uniforms and
floating flags. Sharp and slender wher-
ries cut the water amid collection of
punts and skiffs manned by bare-legged
boys, and two steam yachts pulled
about with flags flying at bow and stern.
Along the banks of the river, whose ele-
yations gave view of the course from
almost any point, were long lines of
carriages and still more closely packed
regiments OF travellers on foot; while
the grand stand at the Finish" and the
intermediate points of vantage were
thronged with merrily excited crowd. 1
to whom small beer and cakes were
served by open-air restaurateurs. There
was ample time for the least acute OBJ
server in all that vast multitude to make
himself familiar with every feature of
landscape and of people; for at O'Clock
the hour set for the first of the college
races, not only was there not boat In
the water, but judges, referee, crews and
coaches were equally invisible, continuing |
so for an hour or more.
1t was some time after 5 O'clock when
there shot out into the stream, before the |