Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1877-10-25
THE STUDENTS STORY.
Philadelphia Saturday Night.


Ever since my father took it into his
head to enter me on the books OF Uni
versity | have more or less been a
German.
Perhaps the happiest days of my life
were those spent in my quaint old lodg-
ing, in the dullest street in the town.
My good fortune gave me Il landlady
who was very deaf, very blind, and very
good natured. / was quite as much
master as if the house had been my
own.
Life was to Il certain extent mono
tOnous, as to be eternally smoking to-
baccO, drinking beer, and fighting duels
with blunt swords, was to say the least
of it, singultrly tame.
Anatomy, the laws of life, the many
wonderful secrets in connection with
human existence, were investigated by
me to such an extent that became
quite enthusiastic on the subject
While my English, French, Ameri-
can and German associates were busy
over cards, beer and billiards, / would
burn the midnight oil in search of the
great mysteries of nature.
One of my fellow-students alone SYM
pathized with me in my tastes.
lie was German born, rather mys-
teal, but as far as | was able to Judge,
Il most excellent and worthy fellow He
was, believe, simplicity itself.
Our friendship was the talk of the
town, and to a certain extent was dis
played by the mere fact of our always
being together.
Nearly every evening he would come
round and spend some hours with me.
He was an inordinate lover of tObac-
co, and would sit for hours smoking,
while | either read out to him or tried
experiments in connection with dissec-
ton or anatomy III general.
had an ample supply of animals,
and an occasional limb from human
subject, but never succeeded in prOcur-
ing 2 whole body.
often grumbled about the matter to
Albrecht Sneider, who laughed at my
idioSyncracy at first, and then finally
promised to let me have body all to
myself
| treated the promise rs Il joke in very
bad taste, and thought no more about the
matter.
Among our mutual acquaintance
was young man, Fritz by name, who
was in every way the opposite of Al
brecht
Merry, light-hearted, always on the
search for pleasure, seldom sober, Fritz
lost an opportunity of ridiculing the two
bookworms, IS he called us.
Neither | nor Albrecht was averse to
beer, but we seldom exceeded the
bounds of discretion. At all social
meetings, suppers, etc, we held our own
but avoided excess.
Fritz who prided himself on never
going to his bed perfectly rational,
was in the habit of ridiculing us openly.
But Albrecht took no notice His
imperturbable good temper was proof
against all the others coarse attempts
ut wit.
Then in stepped woman.
Hilda was, perhaps, the prettiest
German blonde had ever seen. With
lovely hair, delicate complexion, and
form which, if not fairy-like, was still
that of fine woman, she won the
hearts of both Fritz and Albrecht.
1t was all very well to be ridiculed as
L bookwOrm, but when it came to
rivalry in love, the matter became seri-
GUS
noticed that Albrecht was unusu-
ally silent at our evening meetings.
Worse than that, they became fewer
and much more between.
Night after night l was left alone.
But there is no one who can so easily
dispense with society as the student.
l opened my books, lit fire in my
laboratory and went to work.
Certainly when it came to the beer
and tobacco, the relief seemed less, but
even that was to be got over.
My chief misery was that | could not
read up my anatomical studies by hay
ing whole human subject to myself
\ month passed, and Albrecht ceased
his evening visits altogether.
Not that he completely neglected me.
Several times he called upon me during
the morning, and even invited me
the future home of his JOY and sor-
rows.
So, however, he only hoped. Hilda
was, | could see, an abominable fiirt,
and would end the contest between the
two youths quite as quickly as they
hoped ane wished.
Both thought themselves the favored
lover.
One evening there was ball given
by one of the higher officials of the
town. Many of the well-conducted
students were invited, and as matter
of course, Albrechtand l were included
My.tastes did not run very much that
way, but, to oblige my friend, and part
~ as a matter of policy l accepted the
invitation.
How Fritz, whose rough ways were
the talk of the town, contrived to be
present, | know not Probably his
handsome face and noble figure stood
him in good stead
The 'er-do-wells of the world are
often patronized by female society.
At all events, there he was, very
handsome, very stylish dressed, and
full of that hearty confidence which sc
imposes upon the world
| had never spoken to Hilda before
but, on the present occasion, was pre-
sented to her by both rivals.