River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1897-06-17


TO express any opinion about college
matters lest they might injure their
standing with this or that fraternity.
McRawney was an object-lesson in IAN
archy," and made converts every day.
1t was in connection with the examin-
atoms at the end of the term that the
anarchist sealed his reputation, and
added something. surely, to the reputa-
ton of the college. | remember the day,
the room and the moment with perfect
distinctness.
The freshman Greek paper had re-
ceived the undivided attention of the
class for something more than an hour.
The best men were writing steadily. but
those ranking near the "danger-line"
were beginning to wriggle in their seats
and sharpen their pencils aimlessly, and
watch the December snowfiakes swirl
against the little. old-fashioned win
dow-panes. The anarchist, i'm partic-
ular. seemed to be in distress. / looked
up from my book once or twice. and saw
him pull his red beard through his fin
gers. and cross and recross his sprawl
Ing legs, and smile pityingly at his
paper.
l was sorry for him, but there was
nothing to he done. Presently he
seemed to become interested i'm the
methodical way in which high-rank
man near him was reeling off the an
swers. and he grew quiet-absorbed.
| supposed. in good-natured envy. My
eyes drifted back to my book. and
soon forgot all about him.
All of a sudden the anarchist startled
me by leaping to his feet. No one
had yet left the room, and every man
in the class looked up to see who was
lucky enough or reckless enough to be
the first to go. They stared on per
ceiving that il was the anarchist, and
stared decidedly more when he turned
excitedly to me and asked: Professor,
NAV J call meeting of The class?'
During the middle of an examination
such request was unheard of. hest
tated.
1T will take two or three minutes
onIy," said McRawney. so deferentially
that il was impossible 10 refuse. nod
ded assent. If l had had more pres
ence of mind. l should have left the
room. but in that case l should have
missed 4 most sing ular and memorable
scene.
The class of ninety-b'ank will please
come 10 ORDER" said the Kentuckilu.
strengthening himself 10 the last inch
of his six feet four. Every trace of I'M
gainliness slipped from him ln that
instant, and he faced the roomful of
wondering boys with the air of a born
leader of men. As soon as he had
opened his lips Re forgot my presence
in the room, am sure.
Gentlemen" he began, II will state
the object of this meeting. though do
so with regret. For the first time since
YOU showed me the courtesy of electing
Inc your president, am obliged to
bring to your notice the fact that the
class of ninety-blauk has been dis
graced. had thought that we were a
company of gentlemen. gathered in this
famous college for free companion ship
and generous rivalry. Among gentle
men, surely, there are some things t,.at
ought to be taken for granted; / ex-
pect no man here TO pick my pocket or
forge my name. had thought that
we stood toward each other, and to-
ward the gentlemen who teach us, as
those in honor bound. 1t is not so.
have lust seen a man cheat"
His plant southern voice stung sud
denly, like a whip. a Dozen men
Kissed; McRawney's remarks seemed
in very bad form.
Many of the class glanced TOW ard me.
| was not surprised, alas. that there
had been cheating, but | had long be
I fore decided. like many a colleague in
those days. that il was both unidentified
and futile to try 20 prevent it by watch
ing.
As the ewes of the freshman met
+ mine, | was conscious of tug of fel-
+ low-feeling for McRawney: he and
thought alike about cheating,
seemed, and he stood there apparently
so solitary. while the furtive Kisses rar
round the room. Yet never was there
E "A man in less need of sy mpathy.
+ I'm sorry 20 hear you hiss. boys,
he went on, coolly, but you will prob
ably have cause 10 hiss good dea
louder before ! sit down. I'm going tC
90 something that most of you, reclS
+ en-. won't like at all. and I'll tell you
why am going TO do it. pass by
NV personal feelings in this matter
though I do saw this: When a mar
has studied Greek hard all this term
rs | have. and can't pass. and ther
secs another man get through by
cheating, it's rough. II isn't fair
shake; but ! waive that point.
The more important matter" he
spoke very gravely, lis that we have
been dlsgraced as a class by the act
Of dishonest ciassmate. Down where
used to live. how long do you suppos,
man like that could stay in schoo
among gentlemen? Not one day-no
sir. not over night. The boys
wouldn't stand il down there. and
don't propose to stand il here. Tn,
man that saw cheat must apologize
to the class"
The anarchist paused. There wer'
no Kisses. One could have beard th'
snow fecking against the window
panes. SO still was the great room. No
body knew who il was that McRawUe,
had caught. There were perhaps 1
dozen men in pitiable fear that the.
had been detected. No one moved.
McRawney frow ned. rs the mai
waiting for me TO name him. ne thun
dered.
The dozen men stole glances at on
another. The face OF a high-rank maj
near McRawney was CHASTITY gray.
VERY well.'' remarked the anarchist
AS you wish" He pulled out an oil,
silver watch. II shall give him Jus
50 seconds; if he does not apologize.
shall name him. and then he leave
college or I do. don't want to sta.
here with him. and he certainly won
. want to STAY here with me"
have seen some solemn things. bu
never a more solemn sight than thos
| boys struggling with themselves an