The Democrat. (Scotland Neck, Halifax Co., N.C.) 1884-1896, 1888-09-27

ere Wman' was UNDERSTOOD 80 DC en-
titled to membership in tho 'II. X. '
almost as matter of right. To be
sure, it required only one blackbau to
reject a candidate, bot no one had ever
known a member of the crew 10 b
voted against
Charley Harvey was presi iient Of the
society, aad generally the most genial
and opo1-hoartcd man among us but Of
late he had not seemed himself. o.
he night Of the election he was rather
pale, and as he took his seat l notice.
a peculiar expression il his eyes such
as l had never seen before.
After tho usual pveliminaties, the
balloting opened, the members of the
crew being proposed and elected in the
order of their positions in the boat,
When number seven was proposed Har-
vey's face became positively black, and
it flashed upon me what that peculiar
expression had meant.
II, did not hesitate as the box was
passed to him, but cast his vote with a
cool and steady haad, though his count
enanco betrayed the agitation under
which he was laboring.
The secretary started upon opening
the ballot box. a1d then leaned over to
Harvey and whispered in his car. Har-
voy nodded glOomily, whereupon the
secretary arose and said in a voice full
Of emotion, Il regret to say that Mr..
Jordan has not been electcd.'
A dead silence followed. Every man
in the room looked at the speaker in
utter amazemcnt. Such a thing as the
rejection Of a member of the crew, and
for no reason which any one would
dare to avow, was enough to create in
tense excitement in that little company.
Number "cight" was proposed and
elected hurricdIy, and the meeting ad-
journed in confusion. Oa my way to
my room 1 overlook Harvey, and step
ping quickly up to him Isiipped my arm
rough his, hoping might be able to
talk with him about the matter; lut he
wrenchcd his arm from mine and turned
abruptly away without word. Some
body had just let him and although I
could not see very we'll in tho darkness
l thought it was Joe Stanley.
The next day it was rumore that
Stanley had "cut Harvey dead" on the
campus. Jordan conducted himeolf,
meanwhile, with great dignity, aad
commanded the respect of the entire
class, while Harvey kept studiously out
of sight.
It leaked out, not long afterward, that
"Hi3h' Jordan was not only doing his
work in college, and trying for honor
and scholarship, but at tho same time
was teaching night school ia the town.
l don't know who it was discovered
this, but l remember very we'll that |
was with Harvey when We heard the
news. Poor fellow. 1t was impossible
not to pity him. Evilcntly he had
long since rcpcntcd of his action, aud
this piece CT news was all that was
needed to make him utterly miserable
He was absent from prayers next morn
lag, and no one saw him all day.
But the next night special meeting
Of the 'H. X WIS called by order of
the president, ana when the mem bers
were assembled, Harvey arose and said,
briefly:
'Ihave called this meeting to repair
as far as possible a great wrong which
was mean enough to do tho best man
in our class. desire to apologize to
the crew, to the society, and to Mr.,
JorIan for the insult; and l beg leave
to propose Hiram Jordan for. the
II. X"
That night I saw Joe Stanley and
Harvey walk homcward arm in arm, in
their old friendly way; and learned
afterwards that they went straight to
"High' Jordan's room.
The day of the races came at last, and
every man in the college, adorned with
his closs-colors, went down to the river
early to get a good position from which
to view the great contest.
1t would be a close race the closest
ever known in college; we all &C
knowlcd ged that, and though every
man in our class cherished a kind of
faith that our boat would win, yet no
one dared assert his opinion without an
if or an ''unIess."
The hour for the start was set at four
o'clock, and the crowd along the banks
waited patiently IN Ter the broiing sun
until the last minute; but when quar-
ter of an hour, and then hllf al hour
passed, and 10 boats appeared, the
crowd began to grow restless. Charley
Harvey in particular, was In fever of
excitement.
"Why don't they start2" he repeated
adozon times. The timo aud body work
of our men are perfect, but the wind is
freshening and viii tell against US more
than against any other toat for we have
the outside course. Why don't they
start|'
He was looking up the river through
EoII +ol,, I