Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1874-06-13
THE BURNING OF NEOPHOGEN COL.
LEGE ONTHE NIGHT OF THE
18TH ULT.
BY ONE OF THE PUPILS.

BY ONE OF THE PUPILS.
Study hours were over; deep dark,
ness had covered the surrounding
neighborhood with her black wings
the forest owl had ceased its wooing
the merry laugh that was characteris-
tic of some of the students, had lost
its force and merriment in the desert
air. All was still and calm as the
tomb. The stars looked with laugh
ing and soothing eyes On the fair sleep
ers of Neophogen, who were, without
the exception of a one, soundly en-
wrapped in the arms of Morpheus and
their minds rowing in some fairer
cline. The moon, with her pale rays
and milky light, was descending below
the western horizon, peeping from be-
hind single cloud, taking her last
good night view at the copious and
magnificent edifce. Nothing seemed
to disturb, but all added to the sweet
repose of the sound slumberers. The
hour of midnight had passed, and the
band of the college clock pointed half
past twelve. when the first shrill and
despairing cry ran through the college
building from the young ladies de-
partment with the arousing force of
the discharge Of a cannon, telling the
danger and perilous condition in which
they were SO suddenly thrown. The
cry soon penetrated the ear of every
male slumberer who were ever on the
alert for the safety of the effeminate.
No questions needed to be asked.
The light from the FIRE that made every
thing bright in tire college yard, more
than told the sad news. With the
rapidity of lightning, one hundred
young men ran to the aid and rescue
of the almost death-frightened young
ladies, who were running to and fro,
not knowing what they were doing, nor
using any effort to save themselves.
Some were taken from their couches
while in bright blaze-others were
forced from the burning building in
their temporary arrangement Al!
were saved, whose death, by the flames
a few minutes before, seemed inevi
table.
Never was true and manly gallantry
more displayed than was on this occa-
sion by the students. The Professors
used no effort to save any property
whatever, their whole attention was
devoted to looking after the students to
prevent them from being eaptiyated by
he maddened flames, aad many times
hey would run narrowerrisks than any
IF the students for their safety. Only
/ few minutes elasped before the build
ng was in a light blaze and to be ia it
Was no longer safe. The fire cracked
a the lower part of the building as the
ramp of thousand cavalry, while
he flames leaped from the buildingand
,eemed to connect the earth with the
clements above by brilliant connect
ng Link. One hour the cracking of
he fire and roaring of the flames con-
inued, Aenthey began to subside after
ichieving their designs.
The students, who, only an hour or
wo before, were enjoying their re-
reshing slaAKbers and their minds
aiming strength for the next days
abor, were gathered around the re-
mains of their beloved and magnificent
office, while their minds reflected over
he past nine months at school, to
rink deep from the cups the draughts
# pleasant association which were
hen to be broken up for wAile, and
ONE never TO be renewed again on
his beautiful earth, and the bene9esal,
lseful aud practical truths that we've
mbibed into and made indelible op
he mind, partly by the students efforts
nd partly by the kind and ever atten-
i've teachers. A tear trickled down
he cheek of every student to thank
heir God, from whom every blessing
omes, that their fate had not been
unsigned to the torturing flames of
he demolished edifice and to express
heir sympathy and their deep and
gratitude towards their dear
y beloved teachers who, from the mo-
nent they arrived at Cross Plains,
-uarded and guided them along in the
,aths that lead to distinction, honor
nd glory. Never have teachers before
lor never can teachers manifest
leeper interest in their students than
lid the teachers of Neophogen College.
ELMER.