The Russellville Democrat., 1879-06-26
THE ATHENS OF ARKANSAS.
COMMENCEMENT EXERCIS-
 ES AT FAYETTEVILLE.
The A. I. U. found under a Most
 Excellent Management.

at College "Commencements;" and having great desire to attend one; and for other and further reasons, we gladly availed ourself of the prlv- ilege and opportunity of visiting the commencement of the A. I. U. at Fayetteville, and as the finger on the dial pointed to one, Saturday, the 7th inst, shook from my feet the dust of Russellville, and turning my face toward the northwest, sought the Queen City of Arkansas, beyond the Boston mountain.
 Fayetteville is not exactly as we had pictured it, although very pleasant little city-a few degrees north, few hundred feet above our little town, consequently some cooler. In addition to fine private and pub lie buildings common to such cities, it has one of more than ordinary in- terest. In the southwestern part, one mile from the court house square, "looms up" In perfect splendor the justly celebrated and far-famed A. I. U. On the outskirts elegant resi- dences, magnificent parks, drives and walks are somewhat lacking, but the vast grandeur of the A. I. U. and it's systematic government makes a lasting and favorable impression upon one like unto us.
 We get too fast, Let us go back. We got aboard the train at Russell vile and started to Alma, where the conductor handed us out to the stage driver, he seated us in the stage, and in a twlnkling, almost, we were eat ing supper at the Bostic Hotel, after which we made our departure for Fayetteville across the turbid waters of and cragged steeps of the Boston mountain. We were alone in the stage, having ample room to explore it. We travelled from four o'clock in the evening till six in the morning all night long-and if there was a single spot in the stage that we did not reconsider, we do not know it, and for the first time in life (so we were informed by the stage driver) that we ever practiced somnambu- lism, we did it very necessarily.
 We arrived in Fayetteville about six o'clock and drove around to the post office, where we stepped down and out" and started for the "Moun- tain House" accompanied by our young friend Jeff Davis. We regis tered here, (which is one of the "sel- doms" of our past history); we glanc- ed back over the names that preced- ed ours apage or two, and saw that our "young" friend Col. c. E. How ell was with us,-a gentleman of "prematurely light hair," railroad notoriety, and we'll known in Pope and other counties, under the style and firm name of the "irrepressible George" or, "tall sycamore of Pope" "
 After breakfast we "took in" the town and saw our young lady and gentlemen friends from Pope county who were attending the A. l. U.
 For want of space let us pass over to Wednesday beforenoon, the time set for the prlze speaking, (remem Der, however, that we had entertain ments every day and nlght). About ten o'clock, then, on Wednesday, the judges were selected-the board of vlsitors-to award the prize to the man who came out ahead. After this the young contestants took their seats upon the stage, looking full of speech, to an incapacity and perhaps feeling the same way, it was then that sluices of eloquence were pour ed down upon upon us; it was then that we partook of the "feast of req son." it was then that the fighty or atory of eagle imitation echoed and and re-echoed through the con tinuous halls of that A. I. U.
 It was of deep interest to us as we had stake in the contest from Old Pope, one who thought perhaps he might accidentally win the prize, and one who WE thought there was not much doubt. We listened very at tentively to every speech and kept along with them till where we had to wait till they come down, until all were done--ahout two o'clock D. m.--- when Gen. Hill requested the judges to depart make a decision as to the best, return and render verdict, which they did in very short time,