Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-08-17
"A FLAT"
A College Story.


sef-preiudice. He saw there frank,
good 'natured face, pair of blue eyes,
and mass of curly brown hair. As fa1
as he could judge there was nothing par
ticularly out Of the way with his counte-
nance.
"Say, Dick" he began, to his ROOM
mate, who was puzzling over page of
Aenophon, i've been taking account of
stock, and l don't see anything unpar-
donably wrong abont MY features. They
are not angular enough to be called sharp,
nor level enough to be justly styled flat;
so can't exactly see the suitableness of
the expression which has somehow come
to be my college cognomen."
Don't be tool!' growled Dick, with
out looking up from his book.
81 have always been q great stickler
for the fitness of things, eternal and tenn
poral,' continued Arthur; 'and if to be
"A Flat is really appli cable as correct
description Of the impression my person.
al appearance makes on my companions,
all right! I'd as soon respond to that
name as any other; but il it's not mine,
then, old fellow, it's got to be stopped!'
eff you'd rob hen s-roosts, and steal
the housekeeper's preserves, and lay traps
to trip up old men and women, and raise
Cain generally, you'd be the most popu-
lar fellow in college, said Dick, with q
disdainful grimace, still with his eyes
fixed on his book They let me alone,
you see, because don't care a hang for
'em, and because they know Pm as poor
as poverty and as dull as hard-shell
clam. You get ahead of 'em in class.
Pm always in the rear. You have money
to subscribe to everything there is going,
and you refuse to spend 1t in riotous liv-
ing. l havn't any money, and therefore
I'm OF no consequence. Whoever says
that there isn't compensation for every
thing don't know what they are talking
about"
"You're patient old soldier,'' said
Arthur, with merry laugh. ''and wish
| mad something of your philosophy
But, the fact is, every time I'm called "A
Flat feel the fight tingling all over
me. am afraid that some time my fist
will become unmanageable."
81 guess not!' Dick replied. "You'd
only get yourself in a worse muss, beside
having something to be sorry for all the
days OF your life, perhaps! But there's
the bell, and Pm out of the bolt-ropes
as usual"
There's a row in the camp!' said Ar
thurs right-hand neighbor, as the young
men took their seats in class. Some of
the boys scared old Mrs. Allen, into fits
last night, and they say it is a liner.
Nobody thinks she'll pull through. One
OF the fellows dressed up in white, and
rode the ole! woman's COW clear into the
kitchen. Tney let out the pig, and stoned
the house and broke the windows, and
goodness knows what they didn't do
There won't be any show for the boys
that cut up those capers."
"Well, there oughtn't to bel" said Ar
thur, Indignantly.
Just then the Greek Professor entered
the classroom, and, after surveying the
students a moment, said with great seri
BUSINESS:
81 am requested by the President t.
say to Arthur HOyt and Richard Denham
that they were to repair at once to tnt
library, where the Faculty Of this college
wait to see them"
Cali right, SIR" responded Arthur
pleasantly. Conscious integrity made
him bold. Dick rose slowly, and walked
out in his usual logged manner.
Say, "A Flat you're in for itn' said
one OF the class, in a low tone, as tn,
young man passed him. "You re turr
has come now, "A Flatn " said another
"Mcbbe YOU won't be so high anc
mighty now that you're found out a
last!"
What do you suppose it ISL Dick
inquired, as ne came up with Arthur.
Some contemplate trick Of the boys,
said Arthur; ''but we shall soon know
Brace up old fellow, for here we are.
A few words suficed to put the visitors
IN possession of all they wanted to know
After few preliminary remarks, such a
having been led to expect better thing
from the young men before him, tn
President produced a large silk handker
chief, with arthur Hoyt' plainly market
In one corner.
"Does this belong to you, Hoyt?' TIN
President inquired.
ut does SIR" replied Arthur, pleas
antly.
"And is this yours?" the gentlema,
asked OF Dick, presenting a crooked stick
or cane, which the young man was &C
customed to carry on long walks.
"That's mine sir" said Dick.
''And here is cuff with "A. How
marked on it." the President continued
'torn from the wrist probably in the
pleasant excitem ent Of frightening an in
nocent old woman into tit. I shall b.
compelled to hold your property, sirs
until such time as the law of the college
or the law of the State, shall be passec
upon you. Mrs. Allen IS not exp ectet
to live"
u am very sorry, sir" said Arthur, re-
sspect1ully; land am sure Dick is, too
out what sort of justice is this that takes
our guilt so entirely for granted? You
evidence is mercy circumstantial. sir
ana wish to say here that I was neve
On Mrs. Aliens premises in nv life, an6
l am quite sure Denham never was.,'
II never was" said Dick, with charac
terlstlc doggedness, and I never exnec
to be-" p.'
what would you say, Hoyt, if 7 were
to tell you that one of the Professor,
saw you there last night?" incurred III.
President.
II should say, sir" Arthur respondod
quickly, "that the Professor was greatl1
mistaken; but if you were to tell me thai
one OF the students saw me there. should
say that student lied.
There was a straightforwardness in tn,