Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1891-04-15
PRICE ONE CEN
a Qnssr Etan cnstaln.

The first or second day of every ter
when the whole school has returned
sortof slave market is held in each hou
at which the upper boys have the pri
lege of choosing from among the low
boys their own particular fag for
next three months or SO. In some houa
where the lower boys-that is, boys "
have not reached the fifth forms
numerous, an upper boy may have tN.
If he thinks he wants them.
The right of selection is exercised
cording to seniority, the boys known
be the quickest and best servants beil
snapped up first, except in the case
new boys, when looks have to be tax,
as credentials as often as not, 10 the ul
mate disgust Of the fagmaster, for {
smartest looking boys are often the gref
est buffers at their work.
The duties of an Eton fag are mal
and various. Not few of them won
be declined by their own fathers st
wants at home as far too menial 10 81
the dignity of the modern James de
Pluche. The flag is responsible for &C.
ting his master out of bed in time
early schools dangerous and thankle
task TO perform ON big boy who Is
hard sleeper, free with his fists. and quit
at fiinging boots when once awakenel
School over, the fag has to prepare b
masters breakfast. He lays the clot
makes the tea and toast--w0e betide hi
If the latter be burned or cut too thick
boils the eggs, and fries any extra lu
uries in the way of rashers or san
wiches his master may send him to pu
chase in the town.
The meal prepared, the fag is by 4
means free 10 go and get his own brea
fast, as he has to wait at table, be reac
to fetch hot water from the kitchen, AM
if ordered, fly off up town to one of tl
"sock shocks" for pot of jam or ma
malade. He is a lucky boy il he ca
snatch a clear 10 minutes for his brea
fast before the chapel bell begins to rim
The same round of duty has to /
gone through again at tea time, the on
difference being that there is more tin
TO do it in, and fagmasters are general
in better temper when school for Il
day is over. But tagging at meals is 1
no means the only service which q
lower boy has to render. He has I
scrape the mud off his masters footba
boots, to put his clothes away aft
cricketing or running with the beagle
and takes notes TO other boys in oths
houses.
In addition TO their regular daily wol'
for their own master, the lower boy
have to fag in desultory way for an
upper boy who may want them. AT Ii
cry of Lower boy!n shouted by any fe
low above the lower division of the fit
form, every boy below the fifth has
scamper cut in answer To the summoni
and the hindermost in the race is genei
ally ordered off for whatever duty hs
to be performed,
This is rather hardship when boy
busy preparing his lessons for school, bu
he would rather run the risk of gettin
into trouble in school than incur ti
wrath of a boy very little older tina
himself by "skulking. The head MAJ
ter's birch does not inflict such wound
as the vigorously applied toasting fork {
an incensed fagmaster.
On the whole, Eton boys do not seer
to mind tagging much, and the syster
at any rate has the advantage of bein
the same FOR all. Every boy knows tina
though he has to fag at present he is ceI
tain to be able to flag others in time.