The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-02-23
PAID FOR THEIR FUN.
High school Having AFFAIR That Was
settled for Cash.
Detroit Free Press.

Detroit Free Press.
a hazing incident that threatened Sc
rious results for several OF the partici-
pants, but which terminated satisfactorily
for all concerned. including the victim, oc-
CURED at one OF the local high schools re-
Gently. when number OF the juniors I'M
dertOok to initiate" a freshman. The par
ticular pleasantly planned for the new
student was an impromptu shower bath,
in which the victim was not TO be allowed
the formality OF disrobing. All previous
noviti8tes had submitted quietly and sensi-
bly, to the infection. but il seems this young
man had been leading a strenuous life IN
some provincial school and he put up
very spirited and muscular objection, with
disastrous results 10 his wardrobe. He
was finally overpowered and doused, and
when the principal and the janitor. at
tracted by the riotous sounds proceeding
from the basement, appeared on the scene
he was a pitiable-looking object. His coat
resembled those used for scare-crow pur-
poses, and his water-soaked locks lay
matted upon his forehead.
The principal looked as severe as he
could under the circumstances, and then
he commanded several Of the ringleaders
and the victim TO go TO his office, where
court of inquiry was held. The freshman
told his story between chattering teeth.
and his forlorn expression caused grin
to spread over the face of more than one
culprit, whereat the principal frowned and
remarked that II was not an occasion LOT
levity.
This is a serious offense." said he, and
/ intend TO probe the matter TO the bottom.
Look at that poor young man. Don you
think you all ought TO make an abject apoi-
ogy?"
The freshman muttered that he thought
a new coat would be more acceptable than
an apology, which suggestion was acted
upon by the principal. He told the VIC
tim to find out how much the coat IVES
worth; then he was allowed TO go nome
and dry out. The principal then imposed
this penalty upon the trembling culprits.
They were not only pledged 10 purchase
the boy a new coat, but would be Obliged
remainder OF the week. Then they We're
dismissed with a severe lecture
The next day the hazed one appeared
with the tattered coat as evidence mat
he needed a new garment. He held con-
ference with the convicted juniors. I'm which
he stated that the coat was worth 81
of the conspirators; that was the shoddi-
est kinds of goods, and the coat wasn't
worth s. at the outside.
But the boy said he would bring the FAM
iIy tailor 20 prove his assertion. and as
the hazers had promised TO replace the
spoiled garment, there was nothing for II
but to raise the seven.
A very novel scheme for the accomplish
ment of this purpose was devised, the plan
originating in the fertile brain Of young
man who has already spent a year at the
University of Michigan, and is back at the
high school 10 take another course. When
school was dismissed that day he mounted
the front steps OF the building and began
an impassioned address TO the multitude,
cleverly paraphrasing Marc Antonys fren-
Zied speech TO the Roman mob. and hold
ing aloft the tattered coat, which repre-
scented the torn and blood-stained cloak OF
the immortal Caesar. in impressive tones
and with mock solemnity, he related the
circumstances of the disaster TO the fresh
mans coat and of the resulting drain upon
the resources of the condemned juniors.
Then, with the aid of an assistant, who
was equipped with pair OF shears, he
started to auction OFF pieces of the coat.
Pockets and buttons brought the highest
prices, the bids running all the way from 10
to Is cents.
When it came to the sale OF the inside
pocket the humorous auctioneer observed.
Here is the pocket next TO the freshie
heart-the pocket where he carried all cor
respondence of an emontional nature
This bit of the coat brought % cents, be-
lady in the background. The coat was cut
into strips and sold bit by bit, even the but
tonholes being knocked down under the
hammer When the last shred OF the gar
ment had been disposed Of the boys had
raised IS of the s. required and the re-
mainder was easy. The freshman is now
wearing a coat that didn't cost over S2.5O,
and no doubt he is willing TO be hazed
again the same price.