Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1897-07-01

neuTleu gam. WIN az Aiio ga AhSS Nv
cumulations of experience he was abso-
lutely unworldly. He liked all the
''boys," regardless of class distinctions,
and all the "profs," without the slight
est reference to the reputation they had
hitherto enjoyed among the undergrad
yates.
His presence in the Greek recitation
room, it must be admitted, did not con-
tribute much to the cause Of exact schol-
arship, but he had not learned that 1t
was bad form to ask questions, and l
always awaited his lnqueries with Curl
ositv. and sometimes with fear.
1t was fine to see him there, side by
side with well-groomed boys from the
preparatory schools, who were loath to
betray any interest in the text lest they
should be thought "grinds," and afraid
to express any opinion about college
matters lest they might injure their
standing with this or that fraternity.
McRawney was an object-lesson in "an-
archy," and made converts every day.
1t was in connection with the eXamin-
ations at the end of the term that the
anarchist scaled 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 lnen 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 snowhakes swirl
against the little, oldfashioned win
dow-panes. The anarchist, In 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 OF his
paper.
was sorry for him, but there was
nothing to be done. Presently he
seemed to become interested in the
methodical way in which a high-rank
man near him was reeling off the an
swcrs, and he grew Quiet-absorbcd,
supposed, in goodnatured envy. My
eyes drifted back to my book, and
soon forgot all about him.
All of 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 it was the anarchist, and
stared decidedly more when he turned
excitcdly to me and asked: professor,
may 1 call meeting of the class"
During the middle of an examination
such a request was unheard Of. hest
tated.
ut will take two OF three minutes
only" said McRawney, so deferentially
that it was impossible to refuse. mod
ded assent. If l had had more pres
ence Of mind, I should have left the
room. but in that case 7 should have
missed amost singular and memorable
scene.
THE class Of ninety-blanlt will please
come to ORDER" said the Kentuckian,
strengthening himself to the last inch
of his six feet four. Every trace of un-
cainliness slipped from him in that
instant, and he faced the roomful of
wondering boys with the air of q born
leader of men. AS soon as he had
opened his lips he forgot my presence
in the room, am sure.
Gentlemen" he ba-an, 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, I am obliged to
bring to your notice the fact that the
class of ninety-blank has been dis
praced. had thought that we were a
company of gentlemen, gathered in this
famous college for free companionship
md generous rivalry. Among gentle
men, surely, there are some things that
ought TO be taken for granted; I cX-
pect no man here to pick my pocket or
forge my name. I lad thought that
VIC stood toward each other, and to-
ward the gentlemen who teach us, as
those in honor bound. 1t is not so. l
lave just seen man cheat"
His plant southern voice stung sud
denly, like whip. A dozen men
Kissed; McRawney's remarks seemed
in very bad form.
Many of the class glanced toward me.
was not surprised, alas! that there
had been cheating, butt had long be-
fore decided, like many colleague in
those days, that it was both undignified
and futile to try to prevent it by watch
ing.
AS the eyes of the freedman met
mine, 1 was conscious of tug of fell
low-feeling for McRawney; he and
thought alike about cheating, 1t
- ys--------- 49,
seemed, and he stood there apparently
so solitary, While the furtire Kisses ran
round the room. Yet never was there
a man in less need of sympathy.
I'm sorry to hear you hiss, boys"
he went on, coolly, "but you will prob
ably have cause to hiss a good deal
louder before I sit down. I'm going to
do something that most of you, reck-
en-, won't like at oil, and I'll tell you
why I am going to do it. l pass by
my personal feelings in this matter,
though 1 do say this: When man
has studied Greek hard all this term,
as l have, and can't pass, and then
sees another man get through by
cheating, it's rough. 1t isn't a fair
shake; but waive-that point.
1.-The more important matter" he
spoke very gravely, sis that we have
been disgraccd as class by the act
of a dishonest classmate. Down where
used to live, how long do you suppose
n man like that could stay in school
among gentlemen? Not one day-no,
rIa