The Hickman courier., 1882-10-27
HOW QUEDGLINGTON WAS SENT
DOWN.

0ndTley QueuGungtOn was IN
thoughtful mood This was an unusual
thirg for him. As a general rule he
didn't think; but the most rackety and
mischievous and debt-incurring. don
batting undergraduates have their mo-
ments of thought, though they may stu
diously conceal them. And Charley's
thoughts, this sunny May morning. as
he glanced into the blazing hot quad
rangle, waiting until it should be time
to partake of Gordon's luncheon, were
before us again." the Dean had said
grimly, with his sternest aspect, and the
old gentleman, the jolliest of talkative
hosts at dinner, could be very grim and
stern about twelve O clock in the day-s'if
your name comes before us again, Mr.
Quedglington, we shall have no alterna-
tive but to send you down for consid-
cradle period. Yon are never out of
trouble, either IN college or in the city.
This is the last time you will be warned,
sir. Consider yourself gated after six
for the rest of the term. -
''And, by Jove, believe the old gen.
tleman means itr' ruminated Charley,
stretching his legs upon the window
seat and putting his cigarette smoke into
the recesses of the sheltering sun-blind
''As sure as Fate. shall get into row
before the end of the term, though it is
only fortnight off. There is Cum
mings' wine tonight; and they'll go
and draw the bursar afterward, and then
the fat will be in the fire; for whether
am there or safe in bed, the porters will
swear to Mr.. Quedglington--smal blame
TO themr And he laughed with keen
appreciation of his own bad eminence.
"Umphl it's all very well; but if it comes
to rustication, wcA't the governor be
savage? He's a jolly old boy, and he'll
swallow the bills with hardly grimace;
but this affair wouldn't be quite coat
ing of sugar to help them on their way
Charley sforebodings were not without
more than usual share of probability.
There was not much chance of the most
popular and reckless of st. Aldate's men
keeping out of row for the remaining
weeks of the summer term. The-dons
had been very long-suffering with him.
There was so much good in him at bot
tom, the great luminary said in conti-
dence after dinner, and the lesser lights
agreed with him. He looked so young;
n adark-complexioned, handsome fellow.
hardly as old as his years, and with but
the falntest symptoms Jf a moustache,
TO which only his scout knew how much
care and time were devoted. Ho ap-
peared quiet enough, and not very
strong. Appearances. however, are de-
ceitful; and Charley was not long in i'm
pressing his set with his utterly thought
less, reckless gayety, which Yet had not
n grain of real evil at the bottom of il.
His father, the Archdeacon of Loamford.
was a rich man and famous pillar of
the Church Charley would be well
enough off some day; so that the mere
getting into debt would hurt no one very
much. But the Archdeacon had passed
through his college career without a re-
proach. and was agreat preacher, of note
elsewhere than in ecclesiastical circles.
1t would be terrible thingif the son of
such man should be put to open shame,
and sent down like the son of anv god
less Earl or weak-minded Bishop.
''Hnllo. Charleyr' cried a jovial Young
voice from the quad below, at this point
of his meditations; you'll breakfast
with me Tomorrow The best train
Tor Watlingbury is at 1880"
I'm not coming" answered Charley,
rather shortly.
You re NOT comingp'' cried his litter
rogator- What is up now? But wait
moment, and I'll be with you.''
And up the echoing wooden staircase,
so shady and coolin comparison with the
blaze and sunshine outside, came Cum
mings, three steps at time, and dashed
into Charley's room.
'.What is up nowr' he repeated.
.sThe Dean has sent for me. and says
he'll send me down if my name goes up
again this term"
'.Pheughl that is bad. 1t would not
suit your book with the governor, would
it, Charleyp But he has said the same
often before
HE means il this time; and he has
gated me after six for fortnight
Gordon, what do you think is the
latest, cried Cummings, leaning out of
the window and accosting man in q
many-colored coat who was leaning out
of ground-fioor window not far of.
''Quedglington has been sent for and
gated until the end of the term. He says
he won't come to Watlingbury to-mor-
row.
..Gammonl I'll come up and draw the
badger. What is q gating?"
Gordon should have known, for Char
ley excepted. no one at ST. Aldate's had
more experience of it. Watlingbury
races were strictly forbidden to the un-
dergraduates of the University; and even
the somewhat lax rules of St. Aldate's
were upon this point strict as those of
more learned colleges. The arrival OF
the trains from Watiingbury, at any rate
Of those late in the day, was attended by
aproctor and bull dog to see if any Of
his flock had been astray; while a watch
was also kept upon the roads which led
from the city in that direction.
LOOK herer' cried the tempter. clad