The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1877-11-01
THE STUDENTS STORY.


Ever since my father took it into his
head to enter me on the books of the
University | 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 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 certain extent monoto-
nous, as to be eternally smoking tobacco,
drinking beer and fighting dnels with
blunt swords, was, to say the least of it,
singularly 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, American
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.
He was German born, rather mys-
teal, but SO far as was able to Judge, a
most excellent and worthy fellow. He
was, believe, simplicity itself.
Our friendship was the talk of the
town, and to 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 to-
baeco, and would sit for hours smoking,
while either read out to him or tried
experiments in connection with dis
section or anatomy in general.
/ had an ample supply of animals,
and an occasional limb from a human
subject, but never succeeded in procur-
ing whele 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 as joke in very
bad taste, and thought no more about
the matter.
Among our mutual acquaintances was
a young man, Fritz by name, who was in
every way the opposite of Albrecht.
Merry, light-hearted, always on the
search for pleasure, seldom sober, Fritz
never lost an opportunity of ridiculing
the two book-worms, as he called us.
Neither or Albrecht was ayerse 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 GO
ing 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 course attempts
at wit.
Then in stepped woman.
Hilda was, perhaps, the prettiest Ger
man blonde l 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
a book-worm, but when it came to ri
valry in love, the matter became Sc
rious.
/ noticed that Albrecht was unusually
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, l lit a fire in my labor.
atory 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 hav-
ing whole human subject to myself.
A 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 to
the future home of his joys and sorrows.
So, however, he only hoped. Hilda
was, could see, an abominable flirt,
and would end the contest between the
two youths quite as quickly as they
hoped and 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 a matter of course,
Albrecht and were included.
Ny taste did not run very much that
way, but, tooblige my friend, and partly
as matter of policy, 1 accepted the in
vitation.
>How Fritz, whose rough ways were
the talk of the town, contrived to be
present, i know not. Probably his
handsome face and noble figure stood
him in good stead.
The ne'er-do-wells of the world are
often patronized by female society.
At all events, there he was, very hand
ssme, very stylishly dressed, and full Of
that hearty confidence which SO imposes
upon the world.
had never spoken to Hilda before
but, on the present occasion, was pre-
sented to her by both rivals.
With something of maliciousness il
my mind, l Immediately engaged hel
for two dances, and had the satisfaction
of seeing them both frowning at m,
most desperately.
Hilda laughed. Heartless girl. Sh,
cared nothing for me; and actually en-