The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1905-11-02
HIS PREDICAMENT

Late one evening a Yale freshman
who was custodian of one of the reci-
1tation buildings was suddenly awak-
eened by long tbunderous noises in the
ending in a "kerchunk" against the
w5ogor of the recitation room at the
cad Of it. He heard murmurs and the
SssShnd of feet outside. Fearing that
81 was a party of hazing sophomores
41eSGdy to rush in and seize him, he
aiaGad not open mis- door to investigate.
Suddenly the disturbance ceased, and
2o~-lts,ing footsteps could be heard,
salyl-.g away AT last.
Much relieved, he turned over to
sleep, only to be aroused by renewed
terror at the stomp, stomp, stomp
eof some one coming up the hallway
toward his room "Old Had as the
Greek professor was affectionately
rather than disrespectfully called, was
the only person in the region Ia
pable Of that staccaoo thud; for
he was obliged to make use
G9 clutches. His voice, too
had peculiar but agreeable metallic
ring, and his enunciation was SO de-
.iiberate that in an indolent man il
would have degenerated into draWl
No student who ever had spent
week in his classroom could mistake
1t.
When the humping ceased at the
door it was followed by a knock of
unqualified decision and authority.
The young man sprang from his
Ded, pulled the bolt, turned back the
key and began timidly opening the
door
You need not open,' said the we'll
known voice Il can say all want to
with it ajar. Why are you making
such breach OF the peace? Your I'M
seemly noises can be heard for
O1ocks."
@But-but-sir.' stammered the
Badly ratified youth, 1T wasn't me, sir
Il assure you, sir
Wasn't me is bad grammar Do
mot add that to your offenses.''
fBut indeed didn't do 1.-THE noise
I mean, not the grammar. was
asleep. and it woke me up
Il do not care to engage in a con-
4roversy at this untimely hour" said
the professor. Il heard the noises my
self, and don't think | can be mistak-
sen as TO who is responsible
s'But, indeed. sir, never
must decline to listen to YOU
Report to me after the morning reel
tation Your offense cannot be over
looked"
The inmate of the room would have
Turther protested against the unjust
accusation; but the .thumps" of the
retreating official grew fainter
Visions of disgrace and dismissal,
aof grief to his family. who were MAX
ing sacrifices to send him to the uni
versity, and the sudden close of his
educational ambitions, tOrmented him
most of the time until morning.
Promptly after the recitation he
found his way to "Old Had's' room.
He was trembling at the untoyvard
fate awaiting him unless he could per-
ecences:; but inasmuch as he had no
mere testimony than on the previous
might he could conceive of nothing
that was likely to clear up the affair
By this time he had reached the
door, at which he knocked far more
timidly than the rooms occupant had
done ON his own door few hours be-
fore. ~.
Come in!'' rang out the clarion
voice, and in he went
The professor lifted his head from
the manuscript of the Greek grammar
he was preparing for the publishers,
with a look of curiosity not unmixed
with annoyance at the intrusion. The
youth stood there, puzzled at his 81
lence and inquiring mien.
Ive-I've-come sir" he contrived
to stutter at last
Il see you have" he replied with a
Einge of sarcasm that every student
with an imperfect lesson dreaded.
81 had nothing to do with it. | was
asleep. as I told YOU" he murmured,
hardly audible
think you are still asleep and
dreaming. Will you tell me your er-
RANDI" he asked kindly.
Why-Why-yo told me to come
over here right after recitation
"Oh did 1? | must have been a
SOmniloquist too. When did you think
I told you this?"
Why, about midnight, at my room
I'm the Athenaeum Building. This
morning / found out that the noise
was a lot of paving stones"
The smile, which when unrestrained
was capable Of monopolizing con-
siderable area of the professors in
delligent and humorous face, was
isoverspreading his countenance. He
@even INDUCED in slight chuckle as
Che said:
q perceive that you have been, the
victim of a conspiracy. Good morn
ing!"
He returned to his work, and the
FDewildered freshman retired, under