River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1903-06-18

strange company. A begowned
sheriff stepped forward and struck
the table with a huge wooden battle
ak, besmeared, apparently, with gore.
and in a hollow voice demanded,
Order in the COURT"
The tittering subsidized, and the
sheriff handed the police captain a
roll of paper written in red, and in
the same hollow voice gave his in
structiOns.
Most worthy captain, as sheriff
of the Hazing Court, ] deputize you
and your subordinates to arrest and
son mentioned in this document, that
he may be tried by this court on the
charges herein specified
Each one of the police brought his
heels together, stood erect, with
sweep brought the back of his hand
to his forehead, and all retired on
the run
During the half-hour that followed
the court amused themselves by
guessing each others names, for
none but the committee knew them.
Finally, the ell corridor resounded
with the tramp of the returning
squad. Before the door they paused
and gave three raps. The sheriff
stepped to the door and inquired
who were without.
Most worthy sheriff, your captain
has performed his behest."
Give the password"
Blood" was the reply.
admit Them" said the Judge, Civ
ing three raps, on which the mem
bers of the court arose, their eyes
twinl1ling behind their CHASTITY
masks.
Sheriff." Numbered the judge,
'why is this poor wretch brought be-
fore the honorable court?'
your honor" replied the sheriff,
pointing at the prisoner with his bat
tle-ax, this fellow is charged with
the most henious crime on the calen-
dar of offenses possible to college
man.
''Who prefers charges against this
man? Let him now speak, or else
forever after hold his peace" said
Jne Judge SOlmenly.
Here the lawyer on the right arose.
''Your honor"
''NIost learned barrister."
81 am here to represent that dis
tinguished and illustrious galaxy of
immortals known to the ignoble vul-
gus as the sophomore class of
Acadia"
This was followed by mumbled APP
plause.
"Silence!" cried the sheriff.
"And in their name" continued the
attorney, 81 charge the prisoner at
the bar with being
A groan ran around behind the
masks.
with being-your honor, SO low
and mean word my tongue can
hardly frame"
Again a groan ran around.
''Your honor, I charge the prisoner
with being telltale and sneak"
From the masked company this
charge was followed by loud wall,
ending in q wolfish howl articulated
in the word, 'Blo-o-o-od!" repeated
thrice.
This seemed to have the desired
effect The look of amusement
passed from the prisoners face to be
replaced by one of deep gravity, if
not anxiety.
For an hour and a half the trial
lasted
Witnesses were brought forward
to swear that they had seen the pris-
oner going to the presidents house
after nine o'clock at night; others,
that they had seen him return after
ten the same night, and this SO
often that it could be construed only
as a regular appointment. Other
evidence was brought in to convict
him of listening at the door of sopho-
mores.
When the prisoner was put on the
stand, he easily explained these lat
ter charges; but his visits to the
presidents house he refused to ex-
plain. The case went to the jury,
who Immediately brought in the YER
dict, Guilty"
If the prisoner had looked fright
ened at this word, no sympathy
would have been given him. He
showed no fear, but on his face there
came detected, heart-broken look,
with a sudden filling of the eyes and
a qrivering of the lip, which threat
ened to take all relish of fun from
the further proceedings. So the
Judge cried, HAS the prisoner at the
ha1, a0ytbino tO Savoi'
The freshman looked around on
those horrible masks, or rather on
the eyes that peered from behind
them, and in a second regained his
composure.
Fellows" he began, "Fm not
afraid of you. If it was any other
charge, | would rather enjoy this
trial-for it is well got up-even if
you should give me your full punish
ment. But what hurts me is that
you should think me capable of the
things you charge me with-a
sneak"
The lump arose in his throat, and
he could say no more.
IF YOU are innocent" said the
Judge, ''why don't you explain your
visits to the PRESIDENT"
Because answered the freshman,
with sudden show of anger, that's
none of your business! That's my
own private affair. It's nothing that
[ am ashamed of, and it has nothing
to do with your charges; but it be-