The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1888-08-21
DANCE A jig"
The Command of the Grand
Master of College HazerS.
HOW SUCH THINGS ARE DONE,
And a Few. Remarks Concerning
the Unhappy Victims.
For The Constitution .

For The Constitution.
"Well, John, you have just returned from
college, and how do you like college life,s@ith
its various amusements, as well as its hard
studying?''
''As far as hard studying is concerned, you
know never did care particularly for it, but
when it comes to amusements, I'm in for
them"
The,two speakers were graduates of ono of
our southern colleges, and were talking over
the incidents of college life.
"Did you join the zeta Chi fraternity while
in college?'
"Weil, no. never had the honor of being
full-fedged member of that great clan, but
was an honorary member, and even at the risk
of bringing down the wrath of some Irate menh-
Der upon my head, am going to tell you about
the way they initiate mon into tho order.
Well do / remember the first time I saw q man
initiated. 1t was cold November night and
the students in the college dormitory were
huddled around their cheerful fires, when the
news came that new student had arrived.
He was Immediately taken possession of by
the Jealous members of the Zeta Chi club, and
in short order was introduced to every man in
the house, and L reckon the poor fellow
thought he had great many brothers III this
world.
"But the grand master now sounded the
gavel upon the desk, and the club came to
order.
1.-THE roll was called and all were present.
'fIhe penitent victim seeking entrance into
the mysteries of the club was brought forward
60 the grand master, who caused him to be
Invested of his clothing and placed upon table
| in the center of the room, in order that for
| once in their lives the members might behold
the ideal of beauty. A murmur of applause
went around An unexpected change took
place, however, as a shower of water came
| down upon his bare shoulders, causing him to
| tremble and shiver from head to foot He Lad
been given the shOwer-bath of the order.
"I'll stand no more of this tomfooierg,'
| shouted the prisoner, and he waded into tAe'
! crowd.
HE was put back upon the table and tie
| grand master ordered another bath TO be given.
" oh! gentle nurse of the order, come fok h
and pour on the holy Gil which heals al
"a shis araer d sheuiish looking speeser
! calne.forward and poured on a mixture which
! is commonly known as mucilage, and spread it
/ all over his body.
| 'sNow, to be good and loyal Zeta Chi, one
must be able to dance WELL so get up on the
table and give us a specimen OF your dancing
"The victim was unwilling to show his gno-
rance of how to initiate even jig, and refused
to dance.
Sir Knight of the blacking-brush get ready
your implements of warfare, and every time
he ceases to move his feet, make them blacker
than any negro's'
"'Aye, that 1 will, cheerfully,' replied the
valiant knight.
"The captive moved his feet; he jumped and
kicked and ever and anon the backing brush
descended upon the feet OF the unhappy victim.
cat last, the dance was declared off, and the
victim allowed to pass on that point.
Let thy sweet voice give forth melodious
music was the stern command OF tho chief
officer
"The student realized the fact that he was
poWerless, and after scratching his head to col
lect his wandering mental faculties, lac gave
piece of music which Will linger forever in my
ears.
sit was: Il will Take thee Home Again, Kath-
leen, and only the first line was sung, for the
crowd burst into uproarous laughter, which
lasted for at least five minutes.
"The most trying part Of the initiation now
came on.
''The student was gently laid upon quilt,
and strong arms laid hold upon it and tossed it
upwards, as if endeavoring to throw the pris-
oner out of sight, and every time he went up
! he would utter screech as the quilt left his
body and he was all alone in the air without
! support. Then, with thud, he would fall
! back and the process would be repeated.
"The trying ordeal was about at an end.
1.-The grand master arose, and in high terms
! OF praise pronounced the new student men,
! Der Of the grand old Zeta Chi fraternity. The
elegant badge of the fraternity "a piece of
green bed tickingl was pinned upon him, and
right proudly did he wear it.
THE new member was then Informed that tho
initiation fee was only bushel of apples, but
| he stoutly refused to pay it, saying that he
didn't come to college to be SO extravagant.
| SHE was then carried into the upper story OF
| the house and treated to popcorn. While this
feast was being enjoyed some one fired an inn
mense cannon cracker in the hall. The next
day one of the professors said TO his class
you know that fellow brought here last
night The boys didn't treat him right /
knew his>father we'll and L knew that boy
would shoot. 1 might have told you that
before hand
$50 that ended my first experience in haz-
ing, and having tasted blood, L always after
that had an insatiate desire to take part in all
deyiltry. During my stay in college no less
than five boys were initiated into the mysteries
Of the Zeta Chi fraternity.
"The second initiate was put through very
severely. The ancient goat Of the order, which
was sick before, was now brought into use and
proceeded to do up the rider in style. Some of
the boys wanted to paint the skull and cross
bones upon this student in order TO mark him.
but he begged off, promising to buy a five
hundred dollar badge. He wa given the sign
of salutation, which was waving the hand and
saying All, there How are youY and the
very next time ] saw him in great crowd he
shook his hand at me and repeated the above
words have never seen him since.
"Once we initiated great big countryman,
standing six feet three inches in his boots, but
Lis size amounted to nothing, since he was as
quiet and submissive as a lamb. lie must have
become terrified as he marched into the as
sembly and viewed tho brethren standing
around in ghostly robes and uttering many a
groan as If in deep despair.
SIN contrast to this big fellow was a little
thin one, who bore everything well, however,
except the 'brotherly hug, which took all the
breath out Of him.
"There is a great variety in many respects in
the different limitations. No two candidates
for admission ever dance alike. They always
give a different twist TO the foot or swing to the
body and If they cannot differ in any other
respect one will turn his big toe up 10 keep from
being like the other.
THE mind Of each initiate runs in different
direction, the swinging indicates. Here are
some Of the songs sung: IN Take You Home
Again, Kathleen I'm My Mothers Own
Dear Little Boy Il Am a Benny Southern
Lass There's Beautiful Home Far Be-
yond the Skies
"What a oombinationl A love song, Moth