The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1875-02-15
RESULT on A sTUpENps PRANK.

RESULT OF A STUDENTS PRANK.
/ was not yet out Of my teens, and q
wild, harum -scarum fellow, oyerfowing
with animal spirits, always ready for the
perpetation Of any kind Of mischief,
without much regard to consequences,
although ! never contemplated intiicting
the slightest injury upon any one. /
was a student Of medicine, and probably
there never wasa set Of norerattle-pated
fellows than that withwhich I was asso
ciated. There was one exception, how
ever, in the person Of Henry Charges,
the sou Of a clergyman, who was natu-
rally q quiet, inoffensiye person, who
had been strictly Grained up IN the way
he should go" and TO cause him to de-
part from which was, l nm sorry to soy,
our constant endeavor. He steadily re-
fused, however, TO enter into our mis-
cliinyous sports, although he would
sometimes Join us in our conviyial meet
ings, but never indulging to an unrea-
sonable extent. He possessed great
firmness OF character, and appeared TO
be quito ,inmoyed by our taunts-so
much 80, in fact, that we began 10 attri-
butte his failure 10 resent them to n lack
of courage. When this was limited TO
him, he smiled somewhat contemptuous-
ly, declared that hc knew not what fear
was, and expressed the hope that We
would never put his cournge to the test.
The firmness with which Henry Charges
resisted our evil influences, and his quiet
boast Of courage, rather nettled US and
itwas resolved 10 humiliate him II posi-
BILE, by proving his proiessed lack Of fear
10 be nero brayado. He was TO be in.
vited for this purpose 10 n supper one
night, and TO bo detained as late Us pos.
sible; and as he lodged in an unfre-
quented locality In tho suburbs OF the
city, he was TO DO followed OH his way
home by ono Of tho party, and at q ccr-
tain portion Of the road was TO be
stopped and, in highwaymnn style,
made to deliver up his watch and money,
the pretended robber, Of course, TO have
his face covered with q Grape mask, and
be otherwise disguised. A failure was
not even thought Of, and II was consid.
cred q capital practical Joke from which
. good laugh was TO be obtained at tho
oxpense of tho intended victim.
The matter was all very nicely arranged
IN theory, but when it came to the prac-
tical part, it was not cosy, for no ono
seemed disposed TO undertake the dan
gerous role Of the robber, and produce
the startling denoucment. !, however,
removed tho difficulty by offering to
play the part myself, md the offer was,
OF course, received with acclamation. I
was to carry no weapon, but was TO pre-
sent merely o morocco case containing
my pipe, which might well be mistaken
for q pistol in the night, and demand his
"money or his life"
Well, the eventful night arrived, the
party assembled, and q rare joyial time
we had, 80 that the hours passed aeetly
by, and 1t was past midnight before
Charges rose 10 depart. In the con-
fusion Of breaking up / slipped out un-
perceived by him, enyeloped myself in q
large cloak and a slouched hat, and hur-
ried forward to await the victim at the
most lonely part Of the road. / had not
long been there before l heard his ap.
proaching footsteps, as 1 hastily placed
the mask over my face, md stationed
myself behind tree, SO that l might
come upon him suddenly, and throw
him of his guard. There was no moon,
but the stars CLEANED brightly, and /
could distinctly see his form as he drew
near the tree, close to which he must
pass. AS tho crisis approached, / was
greatly tempted to forego my purpose,
for I experienced some misgivings and q
presentfment Of trouble TO result TO me
from thisfolly. But / had not long to
deliberate, and the thought Of the hugh
being turned against mo instead Of
Charges, in the event Of my backing
down, determined me to carry out tho
Joke. Therefore, when lie had nearly
reached the tree, I hastily confronted
him, presented my pipe-case to his
breast, and, in voice which sounded
very unfamiliar even 10 myself, babe him
Ustand and deliver" He was evidently
startled, but for q momentonly. "What
do you wish, my frienda"
Now. IL would never have done for me
to parley with him, nor did l want to
speak moro than was absolutely neces-
sary, lest my voice shonldbe recognized,
so I hurriedly jcrked out the words, as
hoarsely rs | could-" monoy-watch-
quick !" VIZ
aoh, certainly" he said, apparently
quite unmoved, and his watch and
purse wercquickly placed in my hands.
He evidently remarked my agitation,
and said something about my being mp
parently engaged In new line Of bud-
ness. fdidnot, however, stop to listen,
but darted of ut tao top Of my speed.
II seemed 10 me that I heard q nocking
laugh ast hurried away, but thought
nothingof II at the time. / soon met
my companions who had followed TO
learn tho result, and then proceeded 10
my lodgings, carrying with me tho
property thus rccklcssly obtained.
II / had tclt alarmed ut hrst, the feel
ing soon passed of, and / alept as sound
lyas usual, but was aroused from my
Giun,her Nv 4 lnud knocking AZ my