The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1905-08-24
A FRESHMAN AT U. OF N.


the street was becoming palmer every
second. The chant 1--WE want Fresh
menu "We want Fresh-men!' had
been discontinued. but you could hear
the laughing which followed the stern
commands, given in military style.
After a whispered consultation you
decided to await developments from
where you were, and trying to force
yourself into the belief that it was
not fear which was making your hand
shake and the chills go up and down
your back, you waited. You were not
to remain in doubt long. The cavalcade
had halted in front of the house, and
their little song, eve want Freshmen
came up to your window. You were
not going to be "easy" enough to walk
into the camp of the enemy, however,
and so you waited, re-arranging the
photographs on the mantel by way of
amusement. Pretty soon there was
ring at the door bell. You had thought
that would be the next move. You
heard the door of the Seniors room,
across the hall open, and one of the
fellows take his noiseless, slippered
way down the stairs. The key turned
and suppressed cheer greeted the
grinning face of the Senior as it was
thrust through the crack.
You could hear the voices, evidently
in consultation, out on the step, and
you knew, all too we'll, how it would
end. Silently you and Jack shook
hands and smiled at each other in
way that tried to be reassuring, but
failed, painfully. Then you sat down,
bolt upright, in your respective chairs.
In few minutes you and your room
mate exchanged significant chances.
You heard the tramp of feet on the
stairs. There was a knock at your
door, to which you responded in con-
cert, and the door opened upon half-a-
dozen good-sized fellows, who seemed
to be enjoying some excellent joke.
Over their shoulders you saw the grin
ming faces of the Seniors across the
hall. who advised you to Ego along and
take your medicine like good little
boys" There was hatred in your heart,
at that minute, and you made up your
mind you would never forgive him or
the Big Fellow, who, as might have been
expected, was foremost in the group
framed by the doorway. They were
painfully polite, these fellows in heavy
sweaters and coats, as they exchanged
greetings with you both, inquired your
names and where you came from, and
seemed on information intent One
dapper little fellow wearing a fratern-
ity cap seemed to be the spokesman,
and his Unsuitable curiosity about your
affairs was only cut short by a decided
voice from outside which warned them
mot to be all night, fellers" Then the
Big Fellow asked you if you wouldn't
like to go out with them and get little
air and exercise. You thought you
had had about all you could stand of
that kind of thing, and were almost
ready to tell your visitors what you
thought of them and their questions,
when before you could say anything
Jack answered for you both, saying
that he guessed you'd 60" The run
ming commentary of remarks from the
hall ceased, and the little fellow dis
appeared from his prominent position.
Four of the larger boys stepped for
ward, but did not touch either of you
when they found that you were not in
clined to make fuss. You had to go
down stairs between them, however,
and you thought, at the time, that you
would ever after understand the sensa-
lions of prisoner going to his execu-
ton
A shout from the waiting group in
the street which had gathered in ring
around the three fellows in the center
announced your arrival, and then
heated argument took place as to
where you were to go next. 1t was
finally decided that Give would make
very good circus and that Monument
Square was the best place to aim for.
You had a vague idea that Monument
Square was opposite the post office, but
were not quite sure. You were headed
in that direction, however, and as you
walked quietly along between the two
men you wondered just what was 60
ing to happen, and wished-oh, how
you wished-that it was all over. Not
much was said on the way except by the
little fellow, who ran around from one
to another asking questions that made
you long to catch him and wiring his
neck. You found that Monument
Square was, as you suspected, in front
of the post Office, and when you arrived
you discovered that some of the party
had preceded you and that an. impro-
vised platform had been erected. The
Big Fellow was apparently master of
ceremonies, for he said, with an elabor-
ate bow in your direction, Gentlemen
of the noble Sophomore class, we will
-