The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1880-02-21
ssA FLAT"

Arthur Hoyt looked at himself in the
glass seriously, and without self-love or
self-prejudice. He saw there a frank,
good-natured face, pair of blue eyes,
and mass of curly brown hair. As
far as he could judge, there was moth
ing particularly out of the way with his
countenance.
"Say, Dick" he began, to his room
mate, who was puzzling over a page of
Xenophon, GIVE been taking account
of stock, and don't see anything I'M
pardonably wrong about my features.
They are not angular enough to be
called sharp, nor level enough to be
justly styled fiat; so can't exactly. see
the suitableness of the expression which
has somehow come to be my college
cognomen.
"Don't be foolr' growled Dick,
without looking up from his book. d.
81 have always been great stickler
for the fitness of things, eternal and
temporal" continued Arthur; &c and if
to be a fat is really applicable as a
correct description of the impression
my personal appearance makes on my
companions, all right! I'd as soon re-
spond to that name as any other: but if
it's not mine, then, old fellow, it's got
to be stoppedr'
elf you'd rob hen-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 popular fellow in college," said
Dick, with disdainful grimace, still
with his eyes fixed on his book. ''They
let me alone, you see, because l don't
care hang for 'em. and because
they know Pm as poor as power
ty, and as dull as a 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 it in
riotous living. l haven't any money,
and therefore Pm of no consequence.
Whoever says that there isn't compen-
sation for everything don't know what
they are talking about"
"You're patient old soldier,' said
Arthur, with a merry laugh, "and 1
wish l had some of your philosophy!
But, the fact is, every time Pm called
A fiat feel the fight tingling all over
me. l am afraid that some time my
fists will become manageable.
81 guess notr' Dick replied. you'd
only get yourself in worse muss, be-
sides having something to be sorry for
all the days of your life, perhaps! But
there's the bell, and I'm all out of the
bolt-ropes, as usual"
There's row in campr' said Ar
thurs right-hand neighbor, as the
young men took their seats in class.
"Some of the boys scared old Mrs.
Allen into fit last night, and they say
it's liner Nobody thinks she'll
pull through. One of the fellows
dressed up in white, and rode the old
woman's cow clear into the kitchen.
They let out the pig, and stoned the
house, and broke her 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 ber' said
Arthur, Indignantly.
Just then the Greek Professor enter
ed the class room. and, after surveying
the students a moment, said, with great
seriousness:
81 am requested by the President to
say to Arthur Hoyt and Richard Den
ham that they are to repair at once to
the library, where the Faculty of this
college wait to see them"
"All right. sir" responded Arthur,
pleasantly. Conscious Integrity made
him bold. Dick arose slowly, and
walked out in his usual logged manner.
Say, "A fiat you're in for itr' said
one of the class, in low tone, as the
young man passed him. :" Your turn
has come now, "A fiatp " said another.
+" Mebbe you won't be so high and
mighty now you're found out at last!"
What do you suppose it isP'' Dick
inquired, as he 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 suf1iced to put the visit
ors in possession of all they wanted to
know. After few preliminary re-
marks, such as having been led to ex-
poet better things from the young men
before him, the President produced a
large silk handkerchief, with " Arthur
Hoyt'' plainly marked in one corner.
Does this belong to you, HoytP"
the President inquired.
1T does, sir" replied Arthur, pleas
antly.
"And is this yoursP" the gentlemen
asked of Dick, presenting crooked
stick, or cane, which the young man
was accustomed to carry on long
walks.
"That's mine, sir" said Dick.
And here is cuff with A. Hoyt'
marked on it." the President continued,
" torn from the wrist probably in the
pleasant excitement of frightening an
innocent old woman into a fit. shall
be compelled to hold your property,
sirs, until such time as the law of the
college, or the law of the State, shall
be passed upon you. Mrs. Allen is not
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