The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1895-08-11

costly than in the larger ones of tho
college commons. Next door to this re-
fectory lived that great master OF the
Yale printing Offices, B. l.. Hamlcn,
Esq. From his morning and nightly
passings l came to know his attitudes
and movements as well rs those of the
weather vanc upon the belfry Of the
lyceum; q thin, gaunt, Roinannoscd
man, with hair sparse and uulicinpt;
keen eyed, quick in movement; scud-
ding in wintry winds with camict
cloak drawn tightly about his neither
limbs. and on frosty mornings bead
upon the tip OF his Roman nose. lie
was well up III all the printing arts of
that day; kccnly intelligent. too; max
ing the most OF printers large oppor-
tunitics. When afterwards almost be-
came II dcnizcn of his office Con the sky
floor OF the old binding which Mcssrs
NcitCh have so long made fragrant
with their floral tradc) l enjoyed long
discussions with him, upon every
imaginable subjcct--he leaning on his
case, and |, enjoying for the noncc the
dignitics of an editorial chair, and
looking out over the New Haven green,
cut thwart 10y the sheen Of the Greek
state house. With me he was snavity
itself; but there were times when, ns I
toilcd up the narrow stairway, / have
overheard him giving wordy wnllop
to some careless apprentice, which
transcribed all the bounds of ortho-
doXy.
My interviewer smiled; but--drew
out his watch.
/ skipped incontincntly to the ground
floor of the same range of buildings.
fronting the New Haven green; and
introduced the subject OF the college
book store.
Whnt a haunt it WAS, to he sure!
Edward llcrricls was the senior OF the
firm for some years: but far too studi-
ons and searching TO permit of his Civ
ing fit attention to cross-countcr traf-
fc; scholar, linguist, cntomologist,
astronomer; nccdful tonll needing help.
and finding his niche at last in the al
covcs of tho college library. The jun
Tor bookseller in this rendezvous OF all
properly disposed Yale men was Ben
Noycs; never covctouS OF titles. nor low
ing books ovcrmuch; but bringing rare
energy and unflnGginG zeal to what
ever reused his sympathics. All New
Haven men Of the last generation knew
Den Noycs, and his dark eyes. and
long hair, and sincwy make He knew
10 fatigucs and no risks that he dared
not face He had quick eye for "prima-
rics," and for lobbiug-coniurcd men
into congress-sccurcd charters for
somc-gaiped appointments for friends.
and Saddled insurance risks ,for others;
he wrought for innny who turned their
backs on hun, and died, chnGng ut the
indolenco which disease imposed
Going westward from the wealthy
shelves Of the college book store. re-
member nothing but stumbling
wooden building upon that corner
where now the august pile Of the New
Haven house" invites the rich and the
wayfnrer; but beyond, and against that
portion Of the old campus, where the
old South" throw itsaftcrnoon shadow.
there stood Il squat. thrce-story build
ing, pierced by a marrow stairway IN
its center, which led to many upper
among them that long
vaultcd chamber where T.inonia held
court, and where "Frcsh" candidates
from the up-couutry looked in amaze
Inent upon the dannsis upholstery, The
splendid vcncering of the presidents
desk. and tho brilliant glitter Of thosa
chandeliers, which were wont to trcm-
hlc and shake, under the tc1npcsts OF
college oratory.
Tho interviewer is ilattcringly gra.
cious, but interposcs again: ''Whnt
about old commenccmcnts? Was In
tcreSt in them more gcneral?' Without
doubt; why, all the ministers and the
dcacOns in the near towns put on clean
collar; and their best toggery to drive
in for commencement day. The old
railing about the green was y hitch
ing place for half It's circuit Old ladies
living along the out-of-tov.n roads.
plotted FOR tho return OF their best
homoazincs from the rnnntlIa makers.
for tho commencement scriinmnrc.
The seniors coming back from thu;
lark" OF 4 si1-wceAs' vacation, which
told you sunbrowncd and chirrupy
--bcamcd with contagious ioyoua-
ness; tho aunts and cousins and sucet-
hearts OF these last (and of tho new
come fresh flooded all the walks with
flashing cambrics and chccrincss.
Evon before tho great procession
headed by tho sheriff OF the county.
and with cons,ablcs Tor rlarshalsr-had
rneandcred its way down from tho
Lyceum doorstep to the front of
Contar church, the galleries were
packcd-the windows all open. show
ing piles OF muslin and tiuttcring fans,