Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1879-08-01

His aptitude for language, ancient ant
modern, was marvellous, and Old CHESS
with characteristic tact and grace, uset
/ the lads proficiency as ferule for tn
,, rest of us-never praising him. you ina.
be sure, but with happy adroitness proving
what ounces we were not to attain unt'
even so mean standard as was set up b.
one of our number.
Nevertheless, it was we'll understood
that if Chess could like anybody, to Lady
Jane belonged the honor of his Partially
1t was at once an evidence Of the unpopu
larity of the professor, and our fondnes'
for the pupil, that none of us envied thu
latter. In Ito other department Of thu
venerable institution we we're to remem
Der as our Alma Mater, did the lord Of
misrule have such sway as in the Greek
room.
The like law obtains in every college, [
fancy. Your best-beloved preceptor gets
likewise, the credit of being the wisest
disciplinarian.
Upon the day have named we were in
a state Of badly-suppressed revolt. A
frightful imposition had been laid upon
us at the last recitation: Lady Jane again
excepted. The punishment was not quite
undeserved. the direct consequence of a
boyish prank perpetrated by the class at
large, a 'barring-out," or something of
that kind. By general consent none of us
had prepared the prescribed task. Before
this fact could transpire, indeed, by the
time Old Chess had given the menacing
s'Hem!" that always preceded the reci-
tation. a slight puff and flash went lip from
the top of the heated stove, and then a
Tartarian odor.
The veriest tyro in chemicals there,
knew how it was done. Given-a judic-
ious mixture of gun-p powder, birthstone and
cayenne pepper, the last-named ingredient
having the balance of power; pour it dex-
terously upon a red-hot plate. Result
wild symptoms of suffocatlon on the part
of all present, and an empty room in forty
five seconds.
It was witless joke, for college boys
humor was no finer then than now; but we
enjoyed it immensely, and the obnoxious
imposition was dead letter for that day.
Old Chess had a chronic disposition to as
thma, and an hour after the eruption, -
was reported as coughing in manner that
sent ecstacy to our souls.
There must be form of investigation
into the occurrence, so it was no surprise
to us when, as Lady Jane and sat in our
room that evening, ibid tell you that we
were clumsy he was summoned to the
Presidents private apartment 'sStar-
Chamber" as we called it.
looked up with laugh.
Il hope the dons won't squeeze you I'M
mercifully, old boy -
1 remembered afterwards that he was
pale and ill at ease.
81 don't mind the squeeze" he said,
'sbut l wish you had not done it, Dick.
These senseless tricks put the class so ev-
identity in the wrong as to hurt our repu-
tation with sensible people,"
In about an hour was sent for. Just
without the star chamber met Lady Jane.
He was very pale, and his agitation
awakened me to plying curiosity.
'sWnat cheer?' I hailed him, gayly.
He cast warning glance at the Sub"
who had brought me the summons, shook
his head and passed on. I threw away the
stump Of my cirgar and laughed softly.
s'The dons have scared him badly" l re-
marked to my attendant, in entering the
judgment-hall.
They were all there, from Prex, whom
we liked, to Old Chess, our abomlnation,
and an awful silence prevailed while |
walked the length of the room and stood
seated.
Prex opened the ball-not with cate
chism, but with downright accusation. 1t
was I, he stated, who had committed an
offense against law and order so fragrant
as to challenge prompt and severe meas
ures on the part of the Faculty, insulted
in the person of Prof. Field, and so on,
and so on.
1 was so far stunned that understood
but two things clearly. No denial, or at
tempt at self-justification, would be adj
mltted. the Faculty having ample proof of
my guilt in the positive, although reluc-
tant, testimony OF one who had been an
eyewitness to the deed, and I was to be
publicly reprimanded in the chapel next
morning.
I found myself back in my room, Lady
Jane, still pale and alarmed, gazing into
my face.
81 was afraid Of it, he repeated more
than once; and upon hearing what was to
be the form of punishment wish I
could stand by you, Dick, and share it,
II would rather stand in my shoes than
in those of the informer when the class
have hunted him down. returned, sore
and savage.
In less than three days they had run him
to earth. To the indignant establishment of
ALTO my grief and horror, searching
inquiry revealed that no witness besides
Lady Jane had been called before the tri-
bunal which had condemned me. When
hidden to speak IN his own defence. he
stoutly denied having given evidence
against me, but refused to repeat what
had passed between the inquisitors and
himself.
'They informed you upon whom sus
picion rested, presumed" asked a sopho-
more.
''They did,
"And what was your reply?"
s'That 1 should answer no questions rel
alive to the conduct of any of my class
mates"
| can honorable man would have hid his
friend out of danger sooner than utter
such contemplate evasion !" said hot
headed querist.