SPENCE LIBRARY Union Theological Seminary, RICHMOND, VIRGINIA |rom library of Dr. Russell Qecil Alcove Case 2 Shelf JJ &IJ/1S1 ) L <_ : l>c decided upon by our respective seconds. ".JOHN L. MANNING IRBY." HISTORY OF THE CLASS OF '74. 17 Frishmuth, not without fear and trembling, received the epistle. He read danger, and possible death, in Gordon's kindling eye. He opened it as though he expected to find some explosive machine, which the dread ingenuity of the direful Sophs had devised as a new species of torture and torment. If he was frightened at the imagina- tion, what can we say of his feelings as he learned what was to actually happen? As he read his cheek blanched. The awful consequences of a rashly spoken word flashed upon him. A cold and lifeless — ugh ! lie shuddered at the thought. He could not, he would not light. All the best principles of his nature, deep-rooted in early childhood, and growing stronger with each succeeding year, were averse to such an action. Suppose anything was to happen. Suppose he should kill Irby, or Irby should kill him. Suppose they should even hurt each other a little bit, why, the agonies he would undergo from the gnaw- ings of conscience would be infinitely worse than the sufferings of the damned. Thus Frish. and he got really eloquent under the excite- ment of the moment. Gordon listened to his ravings with that lofty condescension, and knowledge of superiority and power, with which a Princeton waiter regards the long-suffering, patient inquirer after something besides mutton and roast-beef Accustomed to these affairs of honor from his childhood (as he said,) he Avas mystified for a while at Frish's lack of bravery. He looked at him as the eagle gazes at the bleating land), upon which it is about to swoop. Noble bird of prey ! Poor little lamb ! " Well, sir, what answer shall I return to my friend ? Shall I tell him you propose to act the man, or — or — or the mouse?" Gordon was oftentimes at a loss how to end his sentences ; this one was alliterative, and pleased him. "Tell him," said Frish., eagerly, "tell him to wait till I ask Brad- ford." So they separated. Frish. couldn't have made a worse choice of an adviser. Brad- ford proclaimed himself for war. Accordingly, reluctantly on the principal's part, an answer was sent accepting the challenge. Potter's woods was announced as (lie place ; three o'clock in the afternoon the hour; the weapons, pistol?. But in the meantime the ardor of our friend Irby had been chilled. The thought of having his growing and flourishing, not to say cleanly, flower of existence nipped in the bud, or rather blown off the stein was not consoling nor according to his taste. There seemed to be many things which lie detested, for example many persons, judging from appearances, thought him averse to watering the said flower — but this thing on reflection he concluded to be unendurable. With many words of contrition did he represent the case to Gordon. With as finely tragic an expression of countenance as the crooked condition of his necktie and the rumpled appearance of his shirt would permit, did he expatiate on the enormity of the deed and the terrible fate which his opponent was to suffer. Indeed he showed himself extremely HISTORY OF TIIK CLASS OF '74. unselfish, and largely considerate of the welfare of that misguided youth, Frishmuth. But all his glowing appeals, all his wonderful contortions of countenance, expressive, as might be imagined, of deep commiseration and anguish of soul were posed by the question, " How can you get out of it?" This was too much for his overstrained mind, and, though generally extremely quick in the perception of evasions, he was stuck. The question demanded some time for consideration ; lie left the room dolefully. Gordon remained delightedly. His face was radiant with secret satisfaction ; occasionally a deep guffaw proclaimed more clearly that something was very enjoyable. He took a pipe and laughed more. Soon there came a knock at the door, and Bradford's finely chiseled features appeared, and then they laughed together. Let us listen to them and strive to comprehend the joke. " Aren't they scared," said Braddy. "Aren't they though," was Gordon's tautological rejoinder. And again they laughed in concert ; laughed well-nigh villainously, while without the wind sighed, and the branches cracked, and the rain dropped drearily as though nature was mourning the consummation of their plot. At Gordon's request Bradford unfolded how the trembling Irby had besought him most agonizingly to bring about some amicable ad- justment of the difficulties ; how he had sturdily refused to try any- thing of the kind, and how, as soon as Irby had disconsolately with- drawn to discuss the affair with Erae and Simp, he had hastened to Gordon to laugh over the joke, and as if reminded that joys were transient and the fun would soon be over they enjoyed the affair again. "Have you the cartridges ready ?" said Gordon when his mirth had somewhat subsided. " Yes, I fixed them just now." "Are you quite sure the bullets are extracted?" "Of course I am. You don't suppose I want to get in a scrape !" "Do you think they'll notice any change?" "No, indeed; they'll be too badly scared to know whether they hold pistols or sticks in their hands." They chuckled in fiendish delight, and the arrangements of a mock fight having thus been satisfactorily arranged, the conversation turned to subjects most near the thoughts of each. Bradford's duel ; his numerous and splendid stock of dogs, and especially that big one which whipped the Gypsey. The night wore on and Bradford left. But some time afterward when he sa*t in his room contemplating a picture of Heenan ; feeling his muscle, and thinking of heraldry ; a white, scared, sleepless face peered in at the door, and exclaiming " his blood be upon your head," disappeared in the darkness. The morning of Saturday was damp and cheerless, and as we took our way to the woods the weather was not blessed. HISTORY OF THE CLASS OF 71. ]!» Those acquainted with the joke to be perpetrated, indulged in sundry mysterious winks, and low, delighted chuckles, while the un- wary principals locked gloomy and nervous as they walked along with their several friends. To them the way, no doubt, seemed short enough ; but we, whom no care disturbed, thought the mud disagree- able and the woods an interminable distance away. In one party there were Frishmuth, Bradford and Hamel ; in the other Irby, Gor- don, Erne and Simp, while between them flitted, like an angel of peace, the fair form of yours humbly. , After many flounderings in mire and creeping along fences, we arrived at the woods. The ground was soon selected, the combatants placed back to back and instructed. They were each to walk ten paces, at the word "one" to turn, at the word "two" to raise their pistols, and "three," fire. The scene was dismal enough; the ground was covered with a wet snow ; the trees, dripping with dampness in the air, tossed their branches creakingly and complainingly ; the sky was dull and leaden. We all got behind trees and laughed and shivered. Sundry doubts and misgivings as to a pleasant ending of this farce, now began to float through the mind of your historian. Stories, which I thought forgotten, of bloody-minded persons who, having been induced to join in just such scenes, had unobserved changed a genuine cartridge for the sham one in their pistol, and with dread in- tent to commit murder, had foully and feloniously discharged the con- tents of the same into the body of the unsuspecting gentleman of the opposition. But all such fears were removed when our classmates began to measure their ground. Though short of stature, they man- aged to get in strides which even Wallace would have envied, and in ten paces put such a considerable piece of ground between them, as effectually removed from my mind all misgivings as to con- sequences. Each firmly believing that the pistol of the other had a ball in it, determined to get out of the road, if possible. Slowly Bradford went over the directions. Hamel approached Frishmuth in the character of friend, to bear his last words home, to a circle of sor- rowing relatives, — and Erne did the same kind offices for Irby. Irby told Erne that, if he was shot, he must send home the cheering and comforting assurance that he fell nobly battling for Southern honor, with the true Southern spirit, and in the true Southern style. Erne promised compliance, and walked back to his tree, not so sorrowfully as might have been supposed. Frishmuth was about to repeat the same thing, substituting Northern for Southern; but, perhaps, think- ing that we bystanders" would not let them shoot at each other, and, in that event, not desiring to appear like a fool, he suddenly turned on Hamel with the polite request, to "go to the devil," coupled with a denial that he had any parting words. Hamel did not look gloomy when he got behind his tree. The decisive moment arrived ; Bradford's voice sounded low and husky, "one;" they wheeled, and Irby's pistol came up. 20 HISTORY OK THE CLASS OF '74. "Put that pistol down," thundered Bradford; "a breach of etiquette like that, in an affair of honor like this, demands a stern rebuke ; had I a pistol here, sir, I would not hesitate to shoot you down, sir." It is needless to say, the pistol came down ; and Frish's face lighted up, as though he thought the circumstance an omen of success. "Two." Up came the pistols. "Three." A report rang out — one report. John ducked his head, and reserved his fire ; then straightening himself up, he took deliberate aim at poor Frish's cardiac region, fairly causing the blood of that worthy to congeal, and altogether infusing into him so much alarm, that he looked ready to faint. Irby fired, and his opponent did decidedly more than duck his head — lie squirmed and dodged most visibly. After this interchange of courtesies, they stood regarding each other with looks in which the benign greatly predominated over the malevolent. Bradford approached and desired to know if they were satisfied ; "'cause, if you aint, you can take another shot, you know." " Oh, no ! they were perfectly satisfied." Would they shake hands ? Nothing would afford them such extreme pleasure. So they shook hands, and talked, and laughed, and joked with one another in a most satisfactory manner. The walk back to College was enlivened by a recital of their feelings and impressions. Irby, in reply to a question of Frishmuth as to whether he heard his bullet, replied, "oh! yes, I heard it cut the leaves above my head." " Yes," responded Frish, " I thought I fired low," and pondered over the discrepancy between Irby's sensation, and his own recollec- tion of his aim. Irby excitedly appealed to the crowd to know if they didn't sec his bullet hit the ground at Frishmuth's feet. "A line shot, boys ; yes sirree, a line shot ! " Afterwards, when told of the real truth of the matter, they both declared they knew of it all the time. That was what made them act so bravely. HISTORY OF THE (LASS OF '74. 21 CHAPTER V. TRENTON, HO! It was a time of religious excitement in Princeton, among our orthodox brethren of the Methodist persuasion. A spirit of intense and fervent shouting had settled upon them. Protracted meetings were nightly held. It was in the time of winter, and the rural inhab- itants of this portion of the land of the mosquito drove to church in exceedingly commodious sleighs. So they had done on the night whose incidents I am chronicling. Four boys — four very bad boys — were walking down street, taking the air, when, arriving at the church, a comfortable looking sleigh was seen drawn up alongside the pavement. It was a most inviting, cosy, commodious looking sleigh, with one of those enormous backs which would defy the constructive ingenuity of a modern builder. And hitched to the sleigh was a nice, fat, fine team of horses, champ- ing the bit and pawing the ground, impatient of restraint. These four bad boys, Groes, and Neff, and Comegys, and Bergy, stopped and looked at the team, gazed thoughtfully and musingly. Visions of Trenton danced in their several heads, visions of billiards, and supper, hot supper, and punches, and girls, and flirtations, etc. They thought of the moonlight ride, of the jolly time, but they never thought of the fact that somebody owned the sleigh; never recurred to them the knowledge of there being a law in the land pro- hibiting the purloining of goods and chattels ; never realized that a Jersey "farmer is a most inveterate pursuer, and that none was more likely to "pant on their track and dog them down." Some such thoughts as these might have come to them had enough time been let them to consider, but Comegys broke the silence and interrupted their thoughts. '• Comrades, ye whose spirits are tried in mischief, I know, why halt Ave now? See you yon shining moon, illuminating, causing to sparkle, the breast of this smooth, bright snow. Think you of the pleasures which await us ; the frolic, the excitement, if we but seize the opportunity and — this sleigh." I don't know if those were his exact words: I don't believe he knows himself. § They are something- like them. Berg knows. No sombre shadows overcame the bright visions, as Henney would say, and they cautiously climbed into the sleigh. A crack of the whip, a jingling of the bells, a rustle and creak of the hard beaten snow, and the mockers at religious rites, and the stealers of sleighs, were speed- ing down the Trenton road. They stopped at the " Nassaii^'^IIouse'Jong enough to be provi- sioned by George and went on. I need not describe the incidents of the ride, since I only want to describe in a few words our share in the misfortunes of a member of '72. I will only say that they arrived at 22 IIISTOKY OF THE CLASS OF '7-4. Lawrencevillc, waked up both schools by their hideous screeching, supposed to be singing, went on, and went to sleep. Past all the old familiar landmarks they went ; got wakened up, and reached Trenton. Through the streets they dashed. Many of ns know the pleasant ex- periences. Policemen looked, laughed, and resumed their walk, from which it will appear they were not so unfortunate as some of our proteges in '76. Fair maidens gazed timidly from behind rich, warm, comfortable look- ing curtains, and a delightful tremor ran though their dear little hearts as they thought of those darling students. Paterfamilias recalled his own joyfully remembered days of boy- hood, and cried "God bless them," and Materfarnilias thought of her own boy, and echoed the prayer. But change the theme, your Histo- rian grows sentimental; this isn't imaginative. Wikofftold me that's the way they said they felt. His girl told him. The boys upset ; regained their places, and started home again, bethinking them of Princeton and duties. When the College was reached, after a short consultation, it was decided to drive up to the back of East and unhitch. Done according to agreement : then how to dispose of the horses was the question. It was concluded to tie one of them to the door of a worthy Junior, afflicted with near-sightedness, and blessed with a wide-spread reputation for rectitude. This was likewise accomplished, and the bad boys retired. A pen gifted with the art of narrative composition, which I do not possess, has recorded, how Freddy was out late that night. How he came home and thought it was Pat, of our class, who was at the door ; how he entreated Pat in gentle tones at first, and then in angry expostulation, to get out of the way and let him in ; how he hit at what he supposed to be Pat, and how the horse, which wasn't Pat, laid him over. How just then the Sheriff appeared on the scene, and wanted to arrest Freddy for horse stealing ; how Freddy indignantly denied the allegation; how he floored the yjosse comitates with the question, if they supposed him such a fool as to tie a stolen horse to his own door ; how he ended by daring them to arrest him on College grounds. I am writing of our class. The originators of the mischief cut up the sleigh-bells and retired to their rooms. But the sleigh-bells jingled, and like the spot of blood on Fatima's key, the circumstantial evidence was made conclusive. Luckily for them, the owner of the vehicle was merciful ; they bought him a new set of bells, and the affair was hushed, only to be called up now. HISTORY OF THE CLASS OF '74. 23 CHAPTER VI. THE EXAMINATION PAPEKS. We had a real argonautic expedition, except that the participa- tors did not sail, but walked, and that it was in search of a more useful commodity than the golden fleece. If any of the more virtuous in our class are inclined to look with extreme disapprobation on the affair told here, let them turn their thoughts inward and while blessing Providence for their own splendid talents, look with christian charity and forbearance on those less gifted. Let them thank their guardian star that on account of their quality of perseverance they never were led to dread Fresh examinations. Fresh examinations ! how terrible was the thought to us ! Don't you remember we didn't know where to go to : we didn't know whether lead-pencils would be provided, indeed I could name several who took in their own paper, and found the plan so advantageous that they continued the practice throughout their College course. If these things are thought on, I think we will look more leniently on those concerned in this plot. The boys, some of them, had been idle — very idle. They hadn't studied — they had spreed all the time. And the day of retribution was at hand. Examinations were approaching and the cutters, and not-prepared unfortunates thought with dismay of those many, many pages of Latin, and Greek, and Mathematics, and Prose Composition, which their wiser class-mates had been assiduously " polling," while they had been enjoying themselves. In many rooms the subject was profoundly discussed. They came together, and the question anxiously propounded was, what was to be done ? Night after night this select coterie discussed the subject earnestly. Different plans were proposed and abandoned as indefeasible. Finally, some daring soul proposed the theft of the examination papers. The proposal was so bold as to be frightful at first. Steal the examination papers ! Phew, what an idea ! But, when the novelty of it wore away, it was decided to be just the thing, and a vote of thanks tendered to the mover. Then the question before this secret conclave was, how to get at them. Were they in the printing office, or in the tutors' rooms ? They separated, and on the next night some wavered in their convictions as to the obtaining the papers. They demurred to the proposition, to break open both the printing office and the rooms of the tutors. It smacked too much of robbery, and they had a whole some dread of jails and penitentiaries. Much had been said on both sides, when up rose Ilendy and thus held forth: "Fellows, away with doubts and misgivings. Shall we rest idly here, and allow our fair names and good grades to be taken from us, when by one masterly stroke the day and examination papers may be outs'? Blasted be the fair name of our glorious class ; perished our bright dreams of collegiate renown; cursed ourselves, if we suffer 24 HISTORY OF THE CLASS OK '74. this opportunity to pass." Then, with a majestic wave of his hand in the direction of the printing office, — "Fellows, yonder lie "rowls,"the examination papers, and good grades. Let our watch word be 'Victory, or Westminster Abbey'." It is doubtful how much longer Jake would have continued, had not the aspiring flame of his eloquence been suddenly quenched by his head being wrapped in Bennett's proverbially dirty bed-quilt, But Jake carried his point, and it was unanimously agreed, that the printing office should be stormed that night. About 12 or 1 o'clock, a chosen band assembled before that mag- nificent structure, containing the Archimedean lever Avhich moves, though slowly, the mighty world of Princeton. It was an awful night, "The wind blew as twad blawn its last, The rattling show'rs rose on the blast." It would not have called for more than ordinary observation on the part of any by-stander, to convince him, that something monstrous was being attempted. They bore all the marks of guilty persons out after night, in story books. They spoke in whispers ; they shivered and drew closer together at every rustle of the trees above them. They looked wistfully up at the windows, and wished for a ladder to scale the height. Three were appointed to procure one, that number beinw considered sufficient. But these three could not go. The safety of the entire party demanded that they should give up the pleasures which such a trip would give them, for they were so very unlucky ; they were sure to be caught. Besides, they had come out to steal examination papers. Ladders were a different sort of thing, with which they had no desire to meddle. They sorrowfully, but forcibly, resigned in favor of the other three. Jake Hendrickson was of the other three, and Jake jocosely held forth : showing conclusively that, for his conscience sake, he must beg to be excused. Steal a ladder! He was the son of honest parents, and his deep respect for those aged relatives would preclude the possibility of his doing any such a thing. Steal a ladder ! He had always been led to consider a ladder as something especially sacred, from the time when his illus- trious namesake saw one, not in such disreputable repute as was pur- posed in the present case ; and, besides, because when Boaz wanted to speak to Ruth, he lad-her aside.* After much parley they all went together. In unity they found both strength and courage, and truly they needed all they could mus- ter. The ladder was heavy and Avet ; no one wanted to carry it till two proposed themselves, and were joyfully accepted. On the way to the office the ladder was dropped, and mashed toes, and was stum- bled over times without number. Don't you give them credit for perseverance ? If not, this record of their trials is in vain. The ladder was raised to the window, and was found to be too short by several feet. Jake volunteered to go up, as he was the longest ♦That ]okc belongs exclusively to Jai Stuart. He says somebody told him that Jake perpetrated it, but l have always been inclined to believe it is one of .Tai's own best efforts. HISTORY OF THE CLASS OF 74. 25 and had every chance of getting in easier than anybody else, So up he went. He reached the top, he hoisted the window and peered in, when a scurry on the floor, a rustling among papers scared him so that he accomplished the distance to the ground in an incredibly short space of time, and rushed around the corner followed by the five. " What's the matter ?" in a low tone. " Something's up there," said Jake frightened 'most to death. They listened, but no one yelled thieves or murder, and all was still as death above them. "What was it?" " I don't know; I didn't see it, but I think it had a pistol." " Pshaw," said Charles Henry, " It was rats, and rats don't carry pistols." But Hendy couldn't be persuaded until they had listened for along time, and until each one had decided the noise was caused by rats, when he again tried the window. He listened ; there was no sound ; the fellows below held their breath. They didn't feel quite sure it was a rat, and it would be dreadful to have one of their number caught at the outset of the undertaking, so they looked up in silence. Hendy drew himself up on the window and balanced himself for a moment, like Neese used to try to do on the horizontal bars. He was just about halfway in, when suddenly down came the window right across the body of our unfortunate class-mate. A flash of lightning revealed to the eyes of those below a pair of extensive legs waving to and fro, and kicking energetically in -a vain endeavor to find some foothold; at the same time Jake's musical tenor sounded disconsolately from the interior of the building imploring gaspingly for assistance. Charles Henry went up and relieved Jake from his position. "Are you much hurt?" Berg asked, when he could get a chance between fits of laughter. " All the-breath-knocked-out-of-me. It-might-have-killed-me." Berg assured him that his life was not in imminent danger, and descended to be out of the road, in case any devil might be lurking within. Nothing was heard from Jake for some time, when " a voice fell like a falling star," and if a veritable star had fallen into their midst it could not have spread more consternation and dismay through the group than did these words: "Boys," O! how mournful was the tone, "boys, they are not here." The scene which follows beggars description. Pretty nearly every one swore. The longest winded fellow was king or director of the chorus, and all joined in with him. A whole night wasted for nothing. Not a thing to show for the immense deal of trouble. No wonder they were disheartened and raved round like a party of maniacs. They stamped on the ground, and impugned the characters of all printers and tutors, and of their ancestors for generations back. But though their ardor was considerably damped, they did not despair. I am writing a story book, and like all good little boys, all nice little heroes in story-books, they determined to try, try again. 26 HISTORY OP THE CLASS OF '74. They were up bright and early next morning. They attended chapel, cut recitation, and repaired to Sam Loose's room, right opposite Turner's, to talk over the dangers and jokes of the preceding night, and to lay their plans. Not much time was to be lost. Turner was in recitation, and it was decided to enter his room at once. They picked the lock, and showed a most dangerous and suspicious dexterity and adroitness in the trade. They found the papers, on entering the room, nicely laid on the table. They seized a few, and were escaping in good order, when the plot was almost ruined, just at its consum- mation, by Mi-lord's impetuosity. He seized the whole bundle, and wanted to throw them in the fire. He was forcibly dissuaded. Next day they visited Dalrymple's room. The Duke had most considerately left the door open, so here their task was easy. The last, and most important, Fahnestock's room, yet remained. Hither they repaired, but, to their consternation, found Bart in the entry " cleaning up." All seemed lost. Jake Hendrickson alone preserved his presence of mind. He showed himself possessed of an indomitable heart. He borrowed ten cents, and dispatched Bart to town to j)rocure for him five cents worth of licorice root ! Then they began. They hammered and battered at the door, but "oak and iron did shine his hall," or something decidedly as durable. A new-fangled lock had been put on the door, and the Latin papers were given up in despair. After this they loafed worse than ever. What jolly times they did have, and how they did pity the fellows who had to study. They drew votes as to who should take first, and it fell to Bergy. But, alas, now comes the miserable finale — they all got their papers too good. When they came back, they hurriedly and mysteriously left for home, and, after rusticating for a few weeks, came back, thor- oughly resolved that in the future they would pass examinations the legitimate way. HISTORY OF THE CLASS OF '71. 27 FRESHMAN YEAR INCIDENTS. Your historian, not having the dates of events, cannot give them in chronological order, or even in the terms in which they happened. Our first recitation was heard by Tutor Turner. It was scarcely marked by any very brilliant display of genius. "Mr. Bergner " was the first man called up. We who had known Bergy before he came to College looked for something fine ; but he and Jake Van Deventer and Fred Williamson had that morning been taking a survey of the College buildings and the town, Freshmanlike; and as a consequence, Berg began his College career ingloriously by " stumping." We were all disgusted as Freshmen will be, but waited for the next man. It was Morris ; and Morris did not know where the place was, nor had he been able to find any fellow who did know. Affairs looked any- thing but promising for a glorious finale about four years from that time, and we gave vent to our disappointed feeling. "Mr. Atherton, please recite," and then what a "rowl!" Tommy never made abetter recitation. He Avas instantly voted an honor man. I suppose it would be as well to insert here a copy of the minutes of our class-meetings during the first term ; they have been given to me by Eddy Deems. "The first meeting of the class was held, by permission, in the < old Sophomore class-room,' on Tuesday, Sept. 13th, 1870. Mr. Rankin was called to the chair, and appointed a commitee of five on permanent organization, a committee of four on class design and motto, and a committee of three for organizing a Bass Ball Nine. "second meeting, sept. 20th, 1870. " Mr. Darapman was called to the chair. Mr. Wiggins reported from the committee on permanent organization, which nominated the following members for officers of the class for the first term, viz : — President, J. P. Egbert ; Vice President, J. S. Biggs ; Secretary, E. M. Deems ; Treasurer, J. T. Stuart. "The report was accepted and the committee discharged. Upon motion, the above mentioned officers were elected by acclamation. The report of the committee on class stamp was postponed until next meeting. Committee on base ball reported progress, and was con- tinued. A committee of three was appointed to draft rules of order. Dampman, Rankin and Patterson were appointed. The meeting then adjourned. "third meeting, sect. 30th, 1870. " Meeting called to order by the President. Wiggins reported from the committee on class stamp : he had but one to propose, which not being agreed upon, the committee was continued. Dampman reported "from committee on drafting rules of order: they proposed to the class not to have any special rules, but to be governed by parlia- mentary rules, and, when necessary, to consult Cushing's Manual. The 28 HISTORY OK THE CLASS OK '74. report was accepted and the committee discharged. It was moved and seconded that the class Historian be elected immediately. Lost. Meet- ing adjourned. "fourth meeting, oct. 14th, 1870. "Called to order by the President. Wiggins reported from com- mittee on class design, offering one which was accepted. The Presi dent stated that the principal object of the meeting was to appoint a committee of four, to unite with a committee of the same number from the other classes, for the purpose of appointing an orator from the senior class to address John C. Green, Esq., at the dedication of Dick- inson Hall. The following committee was elected by ballot: — Neff, Bradford, Bergner, and Stuart. Meeting adjourned. " FIFTH MEETING, OCT. 25TII, 1870. " President in the chair. Two class marshals were to be appointed to attend the class at the dedication of Dickinson Hall. Van Deven- ter and Williamson were elected. It was determined to have the class photographed by Warren, of Boston. It being discovered that part of our class stamp was the same as that of another class, (what a pity!) the report of the committee on that subject, accepted at a former meeting, was reconsidered and rejected. Another committee of three — Riggs, llubinkam and Deems — were appointed by the Pres- ident. Meeting adjourned. " Class meetings of first Session of FYeshman year. "E. M. Deems, Secretary." On the 15th of September, 1870, we had our cane spree with '73. You all remember perfectly well, how Ave rolled, and fought, and got choked with dust, and thought ourselves heroes. It is useless for me to describe it. Dr. McCosh was out for the first and last time. Do you remember his command ? "Disperse, young men, or the bailiffs will be after you!" In fact, the whole College faculty was out that night, and some of them were almost smashed in the rush. Lots of our boys came off well. In fact, we beat 'em. The most memorable battles were between Bradford and Fowler, and Dampman and Adams, and we licked 'em in both. On the night of September 21st, we built our first fresh fire. And what fun it was ! We stole all the fences in the neighborhood, and waked everybody up, and tolled the "dummy bell," and enjoyed the evening hugely. September 5th. We had another one. It was not as pleasant as the first ; the novelty had begun to wear off. October 21st. One, or some of "our boys," succeeded in scaling North College and cutting the bell-rope. Duke, and Bennett, and Berg, and Billy Smith, slept a long time next morning. The class nine received a challenge from the Lawrenceville school. On Saturday they started and gained their first victory, the precursor of many more. The score, on the 7th inning, was 7 to 10 in favor of Lawrenceville, and '74 came out ahead 20 to 10. HISTORY OF THE CLASS OF '74. 20 What a power is eloquence ! How grand in its displays ! How wonderful in its effects ! And when to this " noble, god like action " we add " The front of June herself; An eye like Mars to threaten and command ; A station like the herald Mercury; New lighted on a heaven kissing- hill," How much more potent it becomes ! So thought the members of the Third Division, when, on one oc- casion, in Peabody's recitation, Wallace delivered with awful solemnity and imposing dignity, "The boy stood on the burning deck, His baggage checked for Troy," etc. About this time our Freshman year boat crew began to practice little and swear much. Dampman recovered a cane, which a Sophomore had stolen from him. Sabbath evening, September 11th, we held our first class prayer meeting. It was largely attended, both by professors and non-profes- sors of religion. And those who took part in the exercises seemed to realize the truth of the promise, that where two or three are gath- ered together in His name, He is in the midst of them. The record-books of the College were stolen, and '74 was blamed for the theft ; but, beyond suspicion, nothing was done. The where- abouts of the books was always a mystery. Bradford won lasting honor by vanquishing a huge snob. Snobby was drunk. One morning a placard, supposed to have originated with '73, appeared on the bulletin-tree. It ran thus: "A party of Freshmen went out one night on a lark, and de- molished the free-school furniture ; stole the carriage of an estimable Princeton lady, and set fire to the President's stable." November 5th. '73's proclamation appeared, stuck over all con- ceivable portions of the town: PROCLAMATION ! In consideration of the Good Behaviour and Submissive Disposition Hitherto Manifested by the Freshmen, And as a Reward for the Large Number of Elegant Staves, and the Abundant Supply of Kindling Wood with which they have so freely furnished us, We, the Members of '73, do hereby Proclaim, That on and after November 5th, 1870, Freshmen may Carry Cams AT ALL HOURS. N. B. — Don't go home and brag that you swung sticks all through the first session of Fresh year. Commenting on this, the "Lit." said : "Last session the Sophs issued a proclamation kindly (?) permit- ting Freshmen to carry canes. Taking into consideration that the 30 HISTORY OK THIS CLASS OF '74. Freshmen have been carrying canes ever since they have been in College, we think that this proclamation was uncalled for, and in every degree pretty thin ! " Tom Ricketts went on the University foot-ball twenty-five, as 74's representative. At the opening of the second session we found that eighteen fellows had left, and only one entered, Gephart. Shaw told the President that a verse in regard to which he had been questioned was in the 38th chapter of John, 23d verse. lie was so confident he was correct that he was not a little astonished at the irate rejoinder: "John hasn't thirty-eight chapters in it, sir! - ' Deadly enmity changed to hate ! The one desirous of spilling his brother's blood imperiling his life to save a fellow man, and that man the one at whose defenceless breast he had discharged a blank cartridge. Frishmuth wanted Irby to go skating, but Irby couldn't find any skates, and he went along just to see Frisk's graceful evolutions. He fastened on his skates and darted out into the pond, cutting all sorts of figures, and gliding around quite gleefully, much to Irby's envy. "O, it's gay ! " shouted the delighted skater, as he cut a figure more astonishing than any other, and ended with a spread eagle. "It must be," replied Irby, ironically; "didn't that hurt?" "Not much," said Frish, with a wry face, rubbing the bruised portion of his body. "I bet it did." The words had hardly escaped Irby's mouth when crack went the ice and down went Frish. How he yelled ! Irby heroically dart- ed up the bank, reached the fence, pulled off a rail, and ran back, just as Frish, frozen almost stiff, was giving up. In went the rail ; Frish got hold and was pulled out. Small-pox broke out in the college, and anxious papas and mam- mas telegraphed for their darlings" to come home to them. The dar- lings went on the first train, and thus ended the second session. In the third session Bennett left us The Lord was a queer 'un. The rake business did the business. Lord, wasn't he a queer 'un ! I never knew a fellow Avith such a mania for selling his room and the things in it. It grew to be a sort of religious duty with him. Every fellow must have at least one religious duty, you know. He has only visited Princeton once since he left, and that was to see if he couldn't sell his room again. That time he had to lie around the campus, 'cause Hankins wanted him. The Lord was unique, and on that account we missed him sadly. Plow we did practice for fresh year contests. That was the biggest time for us. We used to make Potter's woods hideous with open air declamation. Old Mr. Stuart and I used to go down together, and my speech was so long that Jai always took a comfortable nap and woke up in time to criticise. In Whig Hall, the prize men were — J. S. Riggs, first prize ; J. II. Ross, second prize. HISTORY OF THE CLASS OK '74. 31 In Clio — W. D. Nicholas, first prize; W. H. Wiggins, second prize. Our class-stamp at last put in an appearance, and was in constant requisition. The next Sabbath after its arrival, Sammy Bobbins ap- peared in chapel with it stamped, after the maimer of heraldic embla- zonry, on his shirt bosom, collar and cuffs. We all thought that was carrying class veneration a little beyond the adopted standard. Base ball nine and class had an awful row. Beach made an elegant speech, as the nine thought, but the class laughed at it, and Harry was determined to thrash them, individually and collectively. I forgot to mention in connection with the first term, that Strat Leeds left us ; when the nine lost a fine player, and the class a thor- oughly good-hearted, genial fellow. He promised to come back ; but the wicked world had too many attractions for him. A Fresh year conundrum by Dershimer or Walt. Bruyere, I never could tell which — some fellow in the first division anyhow : What had our Latin Tutor better do ? Fan his stock of brains, or the flame will expire ! Just before College broke up, a class-meeting was held to decide about some suitable present to Tutor Turner, as a mark of our appre- ciation of his gentlemanly demeanor to us during all our intercourse. After much discussion, Van Deventer moved to present him with a gold chain. The resolution was passed, and Jake appointed a com- mittee of one to go to New York and procure the gift. After the chain had arrived and met with the entire approval of the class, a committee was appointed to take it to Turner's room, in order that no stir or excitement might be created in the College. The committee consisted of Deems as chairman, Badeau and Crawford. They waited on the Tutor, and Deems, in a neat little speech, tendered him the chain with the compliments of '74. Mr. Turner cordially thanked us ; but was too much surprised to express himself fully. Deems during the same day received the following letter, which explains itself. June 26, 1871. Gentlemen: — Your action this morning took me so much by surprise that 1 knew not what to say in return. But the beautiful present the gentlemen of your class have given me de- mands more than a mere verbal response. Hence this note. I am profoundly grateful for this kind remembrance ; the more so because I cannot feel thai it is deserved. Our intercourse both in and out of the class-room, has been, to me, very pleasant and very profitable, and, as I remarked to you a- few day ago, it is with sincere regret that I part from you. I shall always gratefully remember your kindness, and in the chain of recollections of my duties here, no link will be brighter or stronger than that which connects me with you. Accept for yourselves, gentlemen, and for your class (lie assurance of my kind regard. Very truly yours, E. M. TURNER. Messrs. Badeau, j Crawford, . Committee. Deems, J 32 HISTORY OF THE CLASS OF 74. Walker and Crawford were appointed to go to New York, and have a design engraved for onr commencement badges, and to hunt ribbon for the same. They had to take Loose and Stuart along to show the ways of the city, and they met with many ludicrous accidents. " Stockings " was a word which never failed to bring a smile to the face of all. We went into Greek recitation with a piece of muslin pinned on our coats, and printed thereon the words " Where and Why?" Commencement week came around at last, and we felt extremely large at the idea of our having reached the proud distinction of Sophomores. I think that was the longest stride we ever made. I don't believe we struted and swelled half so much when we were up- per class-men. During commencement, President Grant paid us a visit. He made a speech ; it was a short speech. But we cheered half a dozen times during its delivery, and that made it appear longer than it really was. We w T ent home thoroughly delighted with College life, to relate our wonderful deeds to a circle of admiring relations, who thought us heroes, and about one hundred and ten dear little girls who thought us individually splendid. SOPHOMORE YEAR. CHAPTER I. GREEK FIRE. One night, about the middle of the first session, " polling" became excessively tiresome to the heroes in the following sketch, and, as a mental reaction, forth they went to concoct some plan to while away the weary hours. Round the Campus, and out into the town, they roamed, and nothing presented itself to their eager minds ; their brains refused to give them an idea. Up and down Nassau street they wan- dered, and still the patron goddess of mischief, quceeunque sit, re- fused to lend her gracious aid, though they invoked, times without number, either her or the arch-fiend, her worthy coadjutor. They couldn't think of what to do, until suddenly they came in front of Priest's window. They brought up quickly, and Fred (for it was Freddy and John Walker,) says : "I have it!" "Well, out with it." " I tell you what let's do. Let us buy some fire-crackers, some big fire-crackers, those thick whollopers, young cannon, you know. Let us buy some of those and put them off in fellows' windows." The thought pleased John exceedingly well. "All right," he said. Accordingly, the fire-crackers were purchased and oft* they went. Now, it so happened that on this night David Neese was regaling some friends, with a perfect feast of reason and flow of soul. He had produced all his last and most dearly purchased treasures in the book line, and was delightedly explaining the value and purport of each. There were some of Horace's choicest Falernian, and much of those wonderful intuitive perceptions on the origin of evil, of which David was the sole author. The third course had just been reached when the tormentors stole to the window. "Quod si comminus" scanned David, not inappropriately. Whe ther Fred and John understood the sentence, or caught the idea in- tended, I have never learned. But, at all events, they declined the invitation, and, by way of revenge on David for his imputation, they touched the cracker. Bang! it went right through the window, cur- tain and all. Positively David forgot to yell for two minutes, and even the imperturbable Pigeon neglected for some time to catch up an available poker and dash out of doors. Darkness there, and noth- ing more. "My oh! didn't that make a noise?" whispered David, timor- ously. "I wonder if it will come again ?" "\ hope they'll come again!" furiously responded tlie warlike Pigeon, "I want to maul 'em." 34 HISTORY OF THE CLASS OF '74. "No, don't; it wouldn't be proper." " Of course I will ; d'ye suppose people are going to make a fool of me that way for nothing ?" "Do you think it was a student?" " Certainly it was ; I wish I could have caught him," and he gnashed his teeth in impotent rage. "I didn't think they could have been so cruel," meekly said that classmate who so immortally laid himself out on the Fairy Queen. "Don't be afraid, I'll watch for them," replied his considerate room- mate, and proceeded to tie David's head up in the wet rag which he donned nightly. In the meantime where were the authors of this mischief? Do they content themselves with frightening poor little David almost out of his nine wits, and so enraging Pigeon that he charges at imaginary windmills all night ! Not so. Come to the west end of North, and look into a room on the ground4loor. You all know the room well. It is occupied by Simp and Erne. They are busily at work on the morrow's Greek, and many and warm are their wranglings over sen- tences. Erne would aver it was one way, and Simp would deny it, and then much time would be lost in the dispute ; more, in fact, than either was willing to put on his work. They Avere at the height of one of these altercations when Fred Williamson and Jake Walker arrived. Cautiously raising himself to a level with the window-sill, Jake peered into the room. " Now, Minor, I tell you it ain't that way," and Simp proceeded to sustain his point. "Why, pshaw, look here," and Minor endeavored to overturn Simp's argument. •' Hand up the machine," whispered Jake, and up came the ex- plosive compound. Simp had just attempted to change Minor's rendition, and Minor had just replied with, "O ! go way, Simp, you're a fool," when as if in fulfillment of the threatened retribution upon him who would call his brother a fool, the cracker struck him on the head, and exploded as it struck. The effect was instantaneous. The occupants of the room had been sitting on opposite sides of the table, with the lamp suspended between them, as is the fashion in college rooms. The lamp was blown out ; the place was left in total darkness, and both Simp and Erne rolled on the floor. Never a word said Simp ; he just lay with his heels in the air and kicked and winked like an enormous turtle. Do I hear any one ask, was he frightened ? Frightened ! the word is inadequate to express his state of mind. Confused ideas of Guy Fawks, the Harvard Sophs, who had blown up a building with gun powder, his friends at home, and the Proctor floated confusingly in his mind. He reckoned up all the assassinations he had heard of and mentally pronouned this the most blood-thirsty, atrocious, diabolical of all. A thousand thoughts as to where he was hit, and conjectures as to whether he was much hurt, 11 1. STORY OF THE CLASS OF 74. swam ill the stormy sea of his mental perceptions, but he could only kick and wink and give utterance to nothing. On the other side of the room was Erne reposing, not tranquilly like Simp, but doing enough yelling for both. There issued from his throat piercing cries of " help ! help ! murder ! I'm shot !" mingled with sentences expressive of his painful apprehensions that he was about to be scalped and his body was to be most horribly mangled. I assure you, I am not exaggerating a single bit. They were awfully scared ; so scared they scarcely knew themselves. After awhile when Erne's thoughts became clearer, he wondered where he had been hit ; and as if the idea was too horrible to remain pent up, he began to shout "Oh! my head! my head!" and when summoning up sufficient courage he felt the said member and failed to discover a bruise, he snatched up a poker and rushed out into the night substituting " Oh ! pshaw," for " Oh ! my head !" But alas, he was as unsuccess- ful as Pigoon, and returning to his room, he struck a match and lit his lamp as well as the broken state of the chimney would permit. There he found Simp in the state of imbecility which I have attempted to describe, staring wildly into vacancy ; both legs waving mechanically, and winking and blinking with both eyes, as though in an endeavor to wink and kick his mind back into its normal condition. Minor re- ceiving no answer to his friendly and anxious question if he was much hurt, proceeded to administer restoratives. Sundry counter-kicks and sousings with water, together with the mention of some adjectives more strengthening to speech than consoling to person, gradually re- called Simpson to consciousness. About an hour after, I called on these worthies, in compliance with a request from Fred and John, and found them sitting one on each side of the table, with their heads between their hands, vainly endeavoring to recall some incident which would serve as a clue, Simp looked up as I entered the room ; his eyes still had a vacant, meaningless stare, and it took Minor — generally, I should have said, so kind and hospitable — five minutes to say "good evening." I feelingly inquired into the cause of their seeming depression. Not a word would they say, until after some minutes Minor broke the stillness, his voice sounding low and vengeful through the sulpher- laden air: " I tell you now, if I ever ketch the man that fired that beastly rocket through my superlative window, I'll be superlatived if I don't murder him alive." I tried to reason with him on the great preponderance of the punishment over the offence, and hoped he would do nothing rashly. " I'll be superlatived if I don't help," said Simp, and lie glared savagely. They almost got the idea into their heads that I had done it, and were going to lay violent hands on me. When I had proved an alibi, I asked Minor what he thought it was. "Blamed if I didn't think it was a comet; yes, I did." So did Billy Sponsler. 36 HISTORY OF THK CLASS OF '74. Though it happened in Senior year, I must tell you that story about Spons, just while I think of it. The time of its happening was just after he had failed in inventing that wonderful telescope, and a short time before he had begun to translate Ilesiod, and just when he imagined himself to be nightly listening to the music of the spheres, and was most enthusiastic on the subject of astronomy. Every night he would go out star-gazing; every afternoon he lectured to a chosen few in his bed-room, where we were seated before a huge black-board. And the number of movements of the heavenly bodies which he por- trayed to our admiring eyes, was truly wonderful. The primitive chaotic confusion was nothing compared to this new system of revo- lutions. The law of gravitation was an affair altogether too anti- quated to enter into his calculation. Well, one night Jimmy Scarlet was hard at work, when in came Billy excitedly. " Simon, I've discovered a comet ! " "Nonsense," said Simon, "you've been drinking beer." Then he rubbed his hands and laughed, and it was known he had indulged in a joke. "No, sir; I tell you I have. I will become immortal. My name will go down to future ages." "Yes, the mighty genius — the incomparable Bill," and again he laughed. " Come out, Simon, till I show it to you." And grasping Simon by the collar, out they went, and stood for about three quarters of an hour, wnile Billy was sweeping the heavens in vain endeavors to descry the object of his darling hope. Suddenly " there it is ! " he eagerly cried. "Where?" said Simon. "Why, right up there over the Seminary. Don't you see it '?" " O ! you fool ! that's only three stars close together." " Wait till I get on my glasses," — a long pause. " So it is," said Billy mournfully, "but it did look like a comet a little while ago." And Billy went off to think of ghost stories to tell in Jake Van Deventer's room on the next Sunday evening. HISTORY OF THE CLASS OF '74. 37 CHAPTER E. THE STEALING OF THE ENGINE. It had been a day of triumph with our elass in Princeton. The nine returning, victorious from the ball-field, had delighted the hearts of '74 to an extent at that time rarely known. Most of what had been lost in wagers on former matches, had been won baek, and the betters — Sam Loose and Jai Stuart — had not found it necessary to "hedge," nor were either of them heard to inveigh against the vicis- situdes of fortune and the playing qualities of our boys. Even Badeau had expressed himself heartily satisfied. There was unusual quietness in recitation that afternoon. Mose and Dave and Jo Parker refrained from their hilarity to some extent, and in consequence comparative order prevailed, except when Winans and Billy Wilson got up a loud argument on the back seat, and Tom llicketts and John Reid enlivened the hour with a few counters and guards. It was so quiet that the flies droned, buzzed, and bothered one to sleep. It was too hot to make any noise, but I expected an ebullition when evening's coolness produced some energy. In Chapel there was also unusual silence. Carson, Carter and Co. sang in milder tones than was their wont, and omitted certain voluntary scale- running and extempore quavering, with which exhibitions they were often accustomed to enliven their singing. No fellow knocked the head of his worshiping classmate against the seat, and Beach wasn't half way down the aisle before the " amen " was pronounced. While Caius Cooke and myself were standing in the campus, discussing Caius' last homily on etiquette, vainly striving to reconcile his idiosyncrasies with his recitational references to politeness; and while we were lost in admiration of the Spartan-like heroism and firmness with which he performed that task, which he himself declared to be so deeply revolting to his inner nature — the receiving of disorder marks — I felt a light touch cfh the shoulder, such light touches as the boys are accustomed to give. Turning, I saw Jim Griggs. Now Jim is not easily excited, and withal used to conduct himself with much dignity. I don't think Jim ever hit a fellow on the back before, and I believe if any one had hit Jim familiarly on the back it would have startled him to such an extent as to cause premature stoppage in the growth of those luxuriant Avhiskers, which, even in Soph year, were his darling pride and the only object of his constant attention. In view of these facts, it is not strange that I marveled much at Jim's demeanor. He looked more queerly than ever I have seen him before or since. You know how guileless is the general expression of his countenance. Well, as I looked at him I was frightened. I thought, can Griggs have wandered from the paths of rectitude? His eyes flashed with a dangerous light ; the mischievous expression of his 38 HISTORY OP THE 01. ASS OF '74. countenance was plainly indicative of the existence in his brain of some plot designed for midnight's witching hour. " Hist," said he ; "come here ! " And he laid one finger along- side his nose and slowly shut one eye, which we construed to mean secrecy and attention. " Do you want to have some fun 1 " We expressed our perfect willingness to join in any scheme cal- culated to drive dull care away, and he led the way to his room, where we found a number of exceedingly congenial spirits — kindred spirits. There were Shaw, and Badeau, and Zach Taylor, and Sam Kobbins, and Funk, and Jacobs, and several others of night-rambling propensities. After many mysterious hints from the initiated, and after many entreaties on the part of Cookey and myself, some one informed us of the matter under consultation. Then it appeared that some villainous fireman down in Queenstown had kindly and persistently urged on Jimmy Griggs the expediency of getting up a party for the purpose of stealing the fire-engine of that place from its house and secreting it in the woods, alleging as the reason of his strange suggestion, that the Princeton fire company wanted it, and that the "Queenstown boys" did not mean to let them have it if they could in any way keep it themselves. The plan of the " Queenstown boys " was so obvious and their object in getting up this novel theft so patent, that several of the company demurred to the expedition, urging that if it was un- dertaken, we would all find ourselves in a trap, and that several broken heads was a treat not much to be relished, and that the sight presented to the eyes of our classmates next morning would be, to say the least of it, astonishing. Jimmy Griggs, however, insisted that it was all right. He knew the fellows. They were nice fellows. He had known them all his life. There was no danger of any ambush. He scouted at the idea. Indeed, he argued so powerfully in favor of the spree, and painted the delights of it in such glowing colors, that I almost began to doubt Avhether he was holding fast allegiance fo the class, and whether he didn't want to see us tearing like mad across fields and tumbling into ditches just for fun. But my faith in Jimmy was too strong, and I banished all fears on that score. He was so thoroughly earnest and argumentative that, if not convinced, he succeeded in pursuading us to go. And agreeing to start at 10:30, steal the engine, and run her into the canal, we separated. The hours passed slowly away. Even whist and poker lost their attractions, so all-absorbing was the interest in this new excitement. Ten o'clock came around, then ten-thirty, and at the appointed hour a crowd assembled on the Campus, unrecognizable in all conceivable sorts of disguises — old stove pipe hats, torn and worn out coats, coats turned inside out, everything and anything the most fertile brain could devise. Nevin, I remember, wore a telescope, which completely cov- HISTORY OF THE CLASS OF '74. 30 ered his fine, manly features. And now let your historian retire be- hind the scenes, for in truth he did little on this night but run, which action he performed to the best of his ability. Two by two the boys filed out of the Campus gate, and took their way to the lower end of town. It was a silent party. The walk was not enlivened by song and jest ; no one laughed ; no one dared even talk above a whisper, for fear of detection. No one could tell in what dark corner, behind what fence, or around what tree, Avas concealed some myrmidon of the law. They only accomplished about half the distance when a council of war was held. It then was discovered that no one knew where the engine was, whether in a street, in a shed, locked up or exposed. It was to be hunted for as well as stolen ; but as it was not any very delicate, small instrument, which a man could easily put in a very small space, not much doubt was entertained on the subject of being able to come across it. In the meantime Shaw and Badeau had got together apart from the crowd, and, after some interchange of opinions, had arrived at the conclusion that the thing was, at best, somewhat risky. They determined to contrive some plan by which they could guard themselves against the danger of surprise. They put their heads together a little longer, and then hurried back to the main body, and Shaw held forth thus : "Now, boys, look here ; I begin to believe that this is some kind of a scare which has been got up by the snobs. I think somebody's laying for us, and I think we ought to look out for 'em. Don't you think it would be the safest plan to let two fellows keep a little ahead and watch ? You know they can see if the engine is where we can get it, and if any one is guarding it." Badeau kept adding strength to Shaw's remarks by an occasional " I do ;" " certainly ;" " that's the best plan ;" and, fearful of any dis- senting voice, off they both started, after agreeing on a signal, so that the whole party need not keep together. You have no idea of the impressive and solemn manner in which all proceedings were con- ducted. It was as though an enemy's country was being entered, and there was near at hand a palladium which it was of vital importance to capture. Shaw's speech was like that of some old Roman dictator, counseling prudence and caution, and as for the whole party, in view of the surmise as to a surprise, they couldn't have been more fright- ened if the street had been paved with torpedoes and their shoes were on fire. The signal that the engine was all right was to be the whistling of " The Gal I left Behind me ;" and, as an intimation of danger, both the scouts agreed to furnish us with a few notes of "St. Patrick's Day in the Morning," on the same easily available instrument. While the rest were standing shivering in the street, the advance guard recon- noitered. The engine was found standing in a yard. They felt it all over, and assured themselves it was not locked ; came mighty near ringing the bell; failed to discover any lurking foe, and set out on their return. For the life of them neither could think of the difference 40 HISTORY OF THE CLASS OF '74. in the tunes, and neither could tell which tune they were trying to get ; they got them mixed up, and in consequence Badeau struck up "St. Patrick," and Shaw boldly waded in on "The Campbells are Coming." The effect on the fellows up street was startling. Everybody stood still, vainly endeavoring to make some distinguishable tune from the jargon of shrill notes sounding from down street. No one could tell whether a regiment of marshals was guarding the engine, or whether it was going to be an easy prey. And down street Shaw and Badeau waited, and blew till they were red in the face, till finally they rushed up street to see what was the matter, and the noise of their running, together with the anxiety and doubt already existing, impressed their comrades with the belief that the whole of Queenstown was up in arms and in hot pursuit. A general stampede was the result, and it took some time to recall the scattered forces, and then at last the main body took up the line of march. But Shaw and Badeau, still mindful of their welfare, called a halt, and each borrowing a revolver, and procuring a couple of stones, they announced their intention of going a little distance down the road to the canal, so as to guard against any detachment of the enemy advanc- ing from that direction, and thereby putting us between two fires. They argued that there were enough to get the engine, and they deemed that the safety of all must be secured at the cost of their own personal convenience. To this proposition every one assented but Cookey. He wanted to go along, but they wouldn't let him, and started off. The main body slipped cautiously down street, and only found the engine after much stumbling and fumbling in the dark, and found it with all four wheels tied together with huge cables. It was no light task to get them unloosed, but we went to work in earnest, and unlim- bered the machine, and were all prepared for a start. But where are the scouts ? Let us go down the road and find them. Before we go one hundred yards we find them curled up in a fence corner, not daring to speak above a whisper, and gazing fearfully at the houses, which seemed terribly large and terribly near through the darkness. Everything around was perfectly still ; not a human being had shown himself; the houses were wrapped in a dead silence; not a light was to be seen anywhere. It seemed as though the village was deserted. And there Shaw and Badeau lay and waited anxiously. The time seemed to move so slowly, and it was cold lying there, and they began to grumble : " Why don't they comej" " Hist, listen," and both sprang to their feet. Suddenly there was a crash, then a rumble, a clang of a bell, a shout from the boys, and they knew the engine was coming. The advanced guard only waited to know it was rounding the corner, and then away they flow down the road to the canal, looking for an ambush ! They might have stumbled into a whole army of Fenians and never seen one of them. The agility they displayed that night in getting over ground, HISTORY OF THE CLASS OF '74. 41 and the shortness of time which sufficed to put them alongside the canal, if exercised at the Caledonian games, would scarcely have failed to insure them at least one running prize. I said every house was dark and silent; but you should have seen the change when the noise of the rolling engine broke on the air. The front wheels had scarcely touched the pavement of the street, when instantly, and as if by magic, each house was a glow of light. Not any single flickering ray of light shot out from the windows, but it actually appeared to the startled minds of our classmates as if the place was wrapped in one general conflagration. Truly, it seemed as if each inhabitant of that detestable place had heroically agreed to sacrifice his home and penates to the devouring flame, in order that light might be furnished to track "them infernal students." And out of every window and door came a head and half of a body, and out of every available hiding place came an individual, until about forty men had appeared, and they all joined in pursuit of our friends who were flying down toward the canal, tugging at the old engine. Even with this load they fairly distanced their pursuers. Like the scouts, the rest of the party never made better time. They ran splendidly ; too splendidly for Sam Robbins, who, failing to keep up and afraid of being captured if left behind, got on the engine and rode. While the way lay down hill the running was easy, and all they had to do was to guide the engine, and it went fast enough of itself. But, alas ! they soon came to a sandy, level bit of road, and the sand clogged the wheels. They tried to pull through it, but the pursuers were gaining on them. They dropped the engine and every fellow took to his heels. They made the bushes and hid. They heard the cries and jeers of the party pulling home the recaptured engine ; heard the footsteps and saw the lanterns of some who were searching for them, and when all these sounds had subsided they slunk home cautiously through fields and along hedges. Cookey was caught around the neck, but, you know, Cookey isn't fat, and, after exhorting the fellow to let him go, and declaring dire threats of making him a target for pistol practice if he didn't, Cookey just slid from between his arms and took to his heels and away he. did go. Not all went home either, for one, the smallest of the party, was so incautious as to walk directly into the arms of a formidable looking snob, and while he was forced to give himself up, his spirit almost vanished also. He was so badly frightened. Shaw and Badeau in the meantime were still making capital time. They reached the canal, went along ifc at a break-neck speed, and dashed into Potters woods. Here was the only place on the whole road at which they stopped, and they had good canst' to stop; for some dim mysterious figure was seen stalking along down the road right toward them. Out came Shaw's pistol ; a sharp report followed, and with a savage bellow an old cow turned and went at a swift gait up the road in front of them. In due time they reached Badeau's room. They sat down. They looked at each other. 42 HISTORY OF THE CLASS OF 74. "Oh, Lord !" said Badeau. "Oh, Lord !" echoed Shaw. They held some further conversation of this entertaining nature and then retired, after expressing a mutual hope that none of their companions had been hurt or captured. But alas ! how futile are human hopes ! Before the Chapel bell rang next morning, a rumor had circulated through the College that an attempt had been made, during the night, to steal the Queenstown fire-engine ; that the plan had almost been successful, and that a stu- dent had been captured and was now in jail awaiting his trial. How mad the initiated few were. Had they only known on the previous night that "Zachary " Taylor had fallen into the hands of evil men, how eagerly and gladly would they have rushed to the rescue. They vowed that there would have been fewer independent voters in New Jersey, had any one attempted to interfere. They expressed them- selves in glowing terms ; they expatiated on the meanness of allowing a classmate to rot in a dungeon, while strong arms and willing hearts could be found in abundance. You have no idea, you who didn't hear them I mean, you have no idea, how fiery eloquent they got. I re- member Ave had Prof. Schanck in physiology that morning. Some daring soul mounted the steps leading to the chemical-room, and held forth in the strain noted above. The Professor lectured to empty seats that morning, if he lectured at all. Some fellow shrieked " 74 to the rescue ;" and, with the exception of a very few brilliant examples of noble independence, we flocked down to the mayors oflice, an excited crowd. At first they wouldn't let us in ; insisted that so large a crowd couldn't come in ; but we came in at last. Nor was it " seventy-fouah " alone. Don't you remember that half the College was at our heels'? We pushed up stairs, and were carried by the pressure from those below right into the august presence of the formidable magistrate of the borough. It took many frowns and much red tape to bring the room to the requisite degree of quiet and order ; it was packed so tightly that a fly would have experienced no little difficulty in reaching the floor from the ceiling. " Bring in the prisoner," said his honor. The prisoner being already in, and the fact that if he had not been present, it would have required no little exertion to bring him in without taking the roof off, made the remark seem entirely superfluous, and we indulged in a titter ; which exhibition of levity in this court of justice was followed by the loudly-bellowed admonition, " silence." We were then for the first time persuaded we were in the presence of the law's majesty. We had before had some respect for a court of justice, the majesty of the law ! Was this it ? We had no time for sarcastic reflections, for poor Zach stood up with his accuser. "Which is the prisoner?" asked his honor, and the question was not uncalled for. For Zach looked the picture of innocence, and the HISTORY OF THE CLASS OF '74. 43 other fellow — look .at any of them along Nassau street ! Some one had volunteered to go for Counselor Lytle, and just then lie ar rived. How we all blessed him! We knew he could get Zach off. He sat down, and knit his brows ; he got up and poised himself on one leg ; he spake in deep tones ; he wrote much and talked little, and looked supremely wise. His Honor hemmed and haAved, and Avhis- pered and consulted. They shook their fingers at one another, with " this is the point," and " now, look here." We all waited in anxious expectations. Zach Avas the color of his shirt. I don't mean by the expression that he was remarkably white ; because they had locked him up in a barn all night, and he didn't look as fresh and neat as he does on ordinary occasions. Well, you all know what a Princeton trial is : how they lay down the law, and threaten to send a fellow to jail or the penitentiary ; how they frown and expostulate against the tricks of students and how they finally dismiss a fellow, to appear be- fore the court in Trenton, in case he should be needed. Bail was de- manded for Zach. That was a poser ; for in default of bail he would be remanded to jail. Who could swear he had enough money to meet the demands of the court ? "I vill go bail," and we all looked to see the wealthy individual. And who do you think it Avas? Nobody but "old dutch," and avc all thought " SteA T e " a hero. It is only necessary to add, in conclusion, that the Grand Jury in Trenton ignored the bill of indictment for theft, and Zach Avas never needed in the Capital of NeAV Jersey. II HISTORY OF THE CLASS OF '74. CHAPTER III. OUR BURIAL- — -BEING AN ACCOUNT OF THE EAST SOLEMN RITES PERFORMED OVER THE BODIES OF THREE ILLUSTRIOUS GRECIANS. There is no event — if we except our graduating week — no occur- rence belonging so exclusively to 74, as our "burial;" and there is nothing that occurred during our history as a class of which your historian knows so little. There was no other event in which the whole class took a part, and, therefore, no other whose occurrence he would more gladly narrate ; but, alas ! he was not one of the favored who obtained places on the committee of arrangements. We obtained permission from the Faculty to bury somebody, or something, and the request for a class-meeting, to determine who should go under the sod, was also granted. It was a momentous occasion. It took us a long time, and it required many remarks to decide the most important points in our deliberations. Brilliant speeches were delivered, many cheers were given, much discussion indulged in, and a great deal of tobacco disposed of, before all the ideas were sifted and the superfluous matter done away with. After about one hour's noisy consideration of the various motions made and plans proposed, the examination of questions was reduced to these two : I. What are we to do on 72's class-day 1 II. Who are to be selected for the arrangement of our plans ? It was then decided that those selected to perfect the plans should act as representatives of the class in deciding " what we were to do." Then we separated. And we didn't know one single thing as to what had been done by them, although they had meetings innumera- ble. They were the most mysterious body of fellows I have ever seen. If you asked them a question, you couldn't get any answer except a most quizzical expression of countenance, and a " wait and you'll see." We, being participators in the fun, did not feel like waiting until we saw; wanted to be in the secret, and were justifiably angry at being- treated like girls, who couldn't keep a secret. But we might growl as much as we pleased, and get as raging in temper as we might, they still kept as reticent as Packard and as quiet as Ed. Deems. It was provoking to have them know all the secrets, and Ave kept out in the dark. For my part I didn't know what they proposed doing, until one day Jimmy Kiggs stepped up to me with such a solemn face that he actually frightened me. I immediately thought of the most dire of punishments, and that was, that the class, convinced of my inefticiency, had resolved to oust me from my responsible position as chronicler of their deeds. But, fortunately, it was not so. " Come here," said Jim, authoritatively, as he grasped my arm, and fairly hauled me away into an obscure corner. " Well," I tremblingly ventured, " what do you want ?" " I want you to take the part of one of the weeping relicts in our burial." HISTORY OF THE CLASS OF 74. 45 When it is remembered that I didn't know whom we were going to bury, yon can imagine that I slightly demurred to the request. How was I to know but that I might be required to be Jim Johnson's weeping relict, and you will readily admit that she would be a charac- ter whose assumption was not to be envied or desired. I therefore hesitated, until informed that there were to be two other weeping relicts, and that I was to act as the sorrowing survivor of Aeschylus. The two others, I was told, had accepted, and they were Bergner and Tom Ricketts. As " to the pure all things are pure," so to the distinguished all things are distinguished ; and, with the promise of having compan- ions so illustrious, and a departed husband so famous, I accepted the onerous position, not without a regret, it must be confessed, for half the class had expected to be appointed to speak, and I was in that half. But I am anticipating events. I had forgotten to tell you that, in the interests of the class, I undertook to interview one of the com mittee, he who afterwards figured as Majestic Mercurius. He informed me that, before they had settled upon whom they were to put away, they met forty-one times, and these times increased by several ap- pendixes and a number of addenda. He said that at the forty-second time they had just arrived at a faint conception of what they wanted, and what they were about. He was absent at the forty- third meet- ing, and at it they decided to bury J. Hart. Think how long it took them to decide on that, and how much time they wasted. They might have known that he would speedily fade out of college life, and, figuratively speaking, perish naturally. So what was the use talking of him. Well, they did talk of him and thought of him for a long time. But there came a revulsion of feeling. Then they held seventy-five more meetings, with the usual number of appendixes and addenda. DeL. Nicoll presided. They fought, and wrangled, and came mighty near not having any burial at all, until a bright idea entered their minds, and they cried "Greek" with one breath. That was just the thing. There were so many good points and capital jokes to be worked up on that branch ; so many splendid hits to be made. Yet, after they had decided, they were as mysterious as ever. You couldn't worm a thing out of them. They would throw out enough hints to make you absolutely crazy with curiosity, but they wouldn't make anything certain. They were so exasperating that some of us had a notion once to drive them into resignation and ap- point another committee. They forced us to become so many Tantali, and they personated the fruit. What a nice big banana Wallace was? Biggs and Whitehill, what a pair! Sponsler, what a dear, delicious peach ! They now averaged six meetings a week. And they fought worse than ever. Each one wanted an oration, and, as Jimmy Scar- let says, " it was contrary to the eternal fitness of things that all should speak." They imparted the secret to the class at last, after our stock of patience was well-nigh exhausted. Then we began to make huge preparations. Wo puzzled our brains in the endeavor after appro- 40 HISTORY OK THE CLASS OF '74. priate and becoming costumes. We expected lots of ladies, and, of course, we must look our best. Each one expected to be the centre of attraction. Jimmy Scarlet was appointed to make a shield for the swift-footed Achilles ; and, after weeks of persistent labor, he pro- duced, in his studio, a huge canvass emblazonment, decorated in the highest style of modern art. His work was pronounced a most splendid success, and lie was deputed to carry it. We worked steadily. No one of the other classes even imagined our scheme. We determined to astonish them by our display, and make '72 perpetually grateful to us for ending their class-day so finely. Weeks before commencement our plans were perfected, and we only waited till the time should arrive for execution. The grave had been dug the evening before. Everything was ready, and all class-day we were in a ferment of excitement. Would the evening ever come ! Promenade concert passed so slowly. The gay conversation and elegantly attired forms of the ladies lost all their attractions under the influence of our greater excitement. We didn't want to see any girls ; all we wanted, was to have the hour of meet- ing arrive. About half-past ten we all assembled at a stable back of Mrs. Conover's house, which had been kindly loaned to us for the occa- sion. We were a strange and motley group. Some were dressed in feminine attire. Others were enveloped in sheets, Avhile huge white hats ornamented their heads and concealed their faces from the gaze of the crowd. They looked ghostly in the flickering light which shone from the torches held in the hands of a number. Some carried huge tin horns, on which they occasionally blew a blast, which waked the slumbering echoes. Had any one who was not suspecting a parade, happened to spy us, he Avould have probably thought us a band of witches or weird enchanters, bent on some unholy expedition, or per- forming some mystic rites. An ugly, skinny, raw-boned, angular, most sorry looking plug of a horse was attached to an old ricketty cart, on which were placed the coffins of the three worthies whom we meant to entomb. They were piled one above the other, and clear on the top, looking impish in the ghastly glare which the torches shed, was Billy Westervelt. Billy struck a fiendish grin when we started, and persevered therein throughout the whole of our solemnities. After much confusion, and a great deal of time had been con- sumed in the search for our respective places, we started. We filed out into Stockton Avenue and slowly took up our line of march for the College Campus. In the meantime, our programmes had been widely distributed among the crowd on the Campus and all were apprised of our design, the order of the procession and our exercises. The following is the programme: HISTORY OF THE CLASS OF '74. 47 ! ATTENTION! ANDRES ATHENAIOl! COMMEMORATIVE OF THK TRAGICON ElSraOFff onnoniDnios CONDUCTED BY THE SOPHOMORE CLASS OF PRINCETON COLLEGE. : of; en all remind us Wo can make our lives sublime, And departing, leave behind us Footprints on the sands of time." OB1TUAL OBSERVATIONS. Expired in Hellas, from a deficiency in respiration, at some am- biguous period, posterior to Troja's disastrous destruction, three imperishable pioneers of Hellenic literature — Demosthenes, the model stump-speaker;— Homeros, "the man with an excited imagi- nation;" and Aeschylos, the immortal composer of tragedious dis- quisitions. How hypochondriacal their geniuses, which travers- ed, with indescribable facility, the mazy and mysterious laby- rinths of Greek construction ! ! How copious, sententious, ennobling, sublime, awful their productions!!! While we deplore the irreparable loss which the whole world has sustained, yet a profound and everlasting thank- fulness is implanted in our hearts when we reflect that their writings, powerful testimonials of their prodigious intellects have been preserved for the delectation and edification of mankind. (), ye illustrious Argivcs! O, ye Zeus-born Hellenes! O, ye gracious benefactors ! Though your mortal remains are mingled with Grccia's soil; though your "souls have passed the melancholy flood with that grim ferryman that Poets write of, unto the kingdom of perpetual night;" though your native land no longer re-echoes your harmo- nious words, yet the whole universe lias caught, up the strain, and from Kam- tchatka to the Cawc-aries, your names shall ever be remembered as "Three of the few, the immortal nam That Were tint horn to die. " 48 HISTORY OF THE CLASS OF '74. 'Let the long, long procession go, And let the sorrowing crowds about it grow, And let the mournful martial music blow, For three immortal Greeks are low." Lampas. ! ! O BASILEUS ! ! Lampas. A Ciiokiambic Band of Euterpe's. Music-Breathing Sons. PHORMINX. [Only one in A merica.] LYRE. LYRE. 2 yEOLIAN (JEWS) HARPS. CITHERA. CITHERA. LAMPAS. 1 BASE HORN. LAMPAS. (Warranted to blow in Hexameter verse.) !!THE SACRED PRIEST OF APOLLO!! (Late of Delphi,) BUCEPHALUS, (Bred on the Elysian Fields,) DRAWING THE SEPULCHRAL CHARIOT. LAMPAS. THEMISTOCLES. EURIPIDES. LAMPAS. LAMPAS. ATISTIDES. ARISTOPHANES. LAMPAS. Three Weeping Relicts, THE WIDOWS DEM0STIIEN0S, HOMEROS & ^ESCHYLOS. LAMPAS. LAMPAS. LACRYMOSE LAMENTERS. (Hired for the occasion.) The Shield of Swift-footed ACHILLES ! (ForgedMty Vulcan, alias Jim Scarlet.) LAMPAS. LAMPAS. Beaming, ~~— !—.„- „, JL— Beaming, Bearer. . Bearer. Beaming, Bearer. Beaming, Bearer. LAMPAS. § LAMPAS. Following these will be an immense train of Eupatrids, Geleontes, Demiurgt, Well-greaved Aciiaeans, etc., etc. A Squad of Hoplites (mounted police) will be,in attendance to preserve order. BANNERS AND ENSIGNS, with touching inscriptions, will be dispersed ^throughout the procession. HISTORY OF TI1K CLASS OF '74. Ill The following lugubrious ID I IRQ- IE! Will be chanted by the procession "en masse."* ! II EPHTHEMIMERAL, PROCELEUSMATIC ACATALECTIC METRE!! SCHEME. V V V V | V V V V | V V V V | V V V V [ V V v I I I V V V Tune — [Homeros, O Homeros.] KEAAH-B. Homer, O Homer! for thee are we weeping, Weeping that thou, in thy glory shouldst die! On thy green grave with our tears we would mingle, Here a sweet spondee and there a bright ww Here a sweet spondee and there a bright nat KEAAH-T\ iEschylus, JSschylus, thee are we wailing, Child of the Muses and victim of Greek! Hushed is thy Qopfuvg by Prosody broken, Rent is thy jewsharp, and pale is thy cheek, Rent is thy jewsharp, and pale is thy cheek. KEAAH-A. Kafiape, Ka/iapf, thee are we weeping Though thou hast left but these mangled remains; Yet from their dust shall spring up, to thy sorrow, Year after year, a great harvest of Castes! Year after year, a great harvest of Canes! Ta Totj DRAMATOS PROSOPA. o Majestic Mercurius, W. H. Sponsler. Sweet-toned Nestor, W, H. Wiggins. Melpomene's Child, W. F. Henney. o Exercises will commence ;it 10 P M. 50 HISTORY OF THE CLASS OK '74. m , Committee of Arrangements. if W. L. WALLACE, - Chairman. J| I* (1 I J- S. RIGGS, A. R. WHITEHILL, If 1 W. H. SPONSLER, W. D. NICHOLAS, K S C. O. DERSHIMER, DE L. NICOLL. ^J t«' m. HISTORY OF THE CLASS OF '74. 51 As we went down Nassau street and up through the college grounds, our cries, shrieks, groans and bugle-blasts rent the air, and produced numerous bands of small " great unwashed," who followed us, assisting materially in the cries of lamentation. Our banners and illuminations were inscribed with fitting and appropriate designs: — "Please to translate, sir." "Take down your feet, sir." "Don't spit on the floor." " Where and why?" "What's the difference between -/PV an d Ssi ? " They elicited shouts of laugh- ter from those who were acquainted with the marked peculiarities and distinctive features of our Greek recitation. Our worthy President seemed to be especially delighted with the clearness displayed by our talented and witty committee. Nicoll was "Basileus ;" Jo Parker had the " Base Horn ;" Wester- velt held the reins on the "sepulchral chariot;" Funk, Atherton, Gep- hart, Marquand, Bruyere, and Canfield, surrounded the " chariot," attired as, and personating, distinguished Grecians. Immediately be- hind the coffins came the weeping relicts of the dear departed. Rick- etts was the wife of Homer, Bergner of Demosthenes, Crawford of Aeschylus. Then came the lamenters, and don't you remember how Mose and Kit yelled. A fellow who was not in their immediate vicinity can form no conception of their 111110- power on that night. Then came the rest of the boys, strung out as on the programme. We arrived at the cannon, alongside of which was the common grave, and surrounded the place of interment, a sorrowful and mourn- ing band We wept bitter, briny tears, and gave vent to our over- whelming grief in sighs and sobs of the most heartrending nature. We pierced the air with wailing cries, and the widows uttered pierc- ing shrieks. They refused to be comforted. Wiggins gently twined his stalwart arm about the slender, fragile form of each, and bade them take heart ; he vowed he would be a husband to each of them, but Mormonism didn't suit their tastes ; they were deeply insulted by the offer. So great was the grief of Mrs. Homer, and so painful the thought of her loss, that she fainted, and thus unseemly disturbed the solemnities. Somebody threw a whole bucket of water over her, and then she wanted to lick that fellow. Order was restored and the ex- ercises proceeded. While a band of selected choristers chanted the mournful dirge given above, the funeral pyre was lighted by the sacred Priest of Apollo, represented by Wallace. Then he read a solemn funeral service, which caused another gush of violent emotion. Majestic Mercurius, Sponsler, w T as introduced, and delivered an eloquent harangue, eulogizing the dear departed, extolling their vir- tues, and lamenting their departure. The sweet-toned Nestor, Wig- gins, followed, interrupted frequently, as had been the previous orator, with the usual sounds expressive of mourning. He dwelt largely on the irreparable loss suffered by the class, but especially on the untold calamity which had fallen upon the dearly loved help-mates of the departed sages, whose only stay and comfort they had been. 52 HISTORY OK THE CLASS OF 74. When he had finished, an interval was given for lamentation. The pyre was burning brightly, and lit up the faces of the class, and the ring of fair damsels who had assembled to witness the pageantry of death. In a few moments Melpomene's child, Henney, ascended the bema, and, in a tone expressive of resignation under affliction, read the fol- lowing IP O IE DVD : Kat yap\ km }a/i! O land of love! What is it that I see ? The Sophs in mourning garb arrayed! i'! v\ alas! ah me! And would you ask me why we grieve ? And how these woes befell? Ah! I must prav the sacred Nine The .dreadful tale to tell! Ye muses from the blissful height Of the Aonian hill; Ye Nymphs that grace the woodland shades, And haunt the silver rill; () ye, to whom the laurel wreath And crown of Fame belong — Ye "lories of the ages past, Inspire my humble song ! For men whose names are as the stars In heaven's azure bright, Forgotten by a careless world, Demand our tears to-night. Old Homer, with his sightless eyes, And flowing locks of snow; And ^Eschylus, whose play of life Is ended here below; Demosthenes, who lives again In Westervelt, the small — Above the bier of such as these Let tears of pity fall ! And now, before we lay their dust With sighs and groans away, It well befits us to inquire How came they here to-day? By the iEgean's silver wave, Peaceful, great Homer slept, Unmindful that above his tomb All Greece, in sorrow, wept. By Princeton's raging, dread "canawl," One mighty Prof, held rule, Who drove the meek-eyed Sophs about Like boys in boarding school. This lordly Prof, one day announced To all the Sophs, most sad, That they, beneath his watchful care, Should read the Iliad. We read the book with aching heads, We sighed its pages o'er, And gathered our disorder marks From spitting on the floor. HISTORY OF THE CLASS OF 74. 53 At last there came a fatal hour, A joyous, dreadful time, When our great Prof, read oft' the song In Derby's cantering- rhyme ! This moved the world. ^Egean's shore Gave up her mighty dead, And swift to Nassau's classic Halls Great Homer's spirit sped ! His flashing eye, and shadowy form, No playful sham could be, As in the Greek recitation room, He faced Professor "C !" " T G avOpune," the spirit said, i2 avOpuwe most vile, And hast thou dared '/.eytiv my song, In Derby's Kaxog style? And if thou hast, u Kafiape, Guard thee as best thou may ! For pa old Zevg, no learned lore Shall save thy /ce^aA?/. Then our Professor bold replied: Yapovv w 'Opspr, I don't bpau for what cause Your ghost appears to me. But why I read the Derby "Trans." I straight will 7xyu thee ; I wanted just to "bore" the class That had been "boring" me ! "G Ka/wzpe," the ghost replied, Your coming doom foreknow ; And do not dare to (Iw'Aopai Whene'r I edeiu ! The Sophs shall spit tobacco-juice Just when and where they please; And if you try to baffle them, I'll send you back to it grease. ,i {Greece.) And now I'll whisper in your ear What will your wrath revive : You've disagreed with '74, Beware of '75 ! The spirit ceased. Up sprang our Prof., All trembling in his ire ; His form was swelled to mighty bulk, His eyes they flashed with tire ! "Ghost of departed 'Ofiepog, You shall not me defy ; Although you know the use of XPV I'll teach you how to (kl ! With that, from Greek roots on his desk, (Of which there was a row,) He snatched up dire cnv6?2vpi, And smote a fearful blow ! On Homer's skull the dreadful root Descended with a crash ; It dislocated five front teeth, And sent his jaws to smash ! It knocked his mighty clavicle Into a spot of grease, And melted all his vertebrae 8 54 HISTORY OF THE CLASS OF 74. As by some dire disease ! Thus fell old Homer's ghost, at last, (For ghosts have bones, you know,) And then our Prof, looked calmly on The dreadful scene of woe. With stern command he bade us take The pieces all away ; And mark the dreadful doom of those Who dared him disobey ! We gathered up the dear remains, And brought them here to-night ; And that is just the reason why You see this doleful sight. "And yet," you ask, "what of the rest, For there are coffins three?" Ah ! they are but the winding up Of this dark tragedy. Demosthenes, whene'er he heard Of Homer's murder drear, He hastened at the grave to shed The sympathizing tear. But when he saw the woeful sight His anger knew no bound ; He sprang upon the Grecian Prof. And smote him to the ground. "AwSpef AOavaioi," he cries, And then his accents cease ; That great and mighty orator, He wished him back in Greece. For quick the Prof, in anger shouts : "Why make you all this stir?" "'Twould be as well, perhaps, to speak A little louder, wrj" The Ad was cast. Demosthenes Fell dead, as thunder-riven ! And vainly for his murdered friend And vengeance had he striven. And now a shoe-box holds his corpse Far from his native land, And o'er his gi-ave our Princeton gun As sentinel shall stand. And now, the saddest tale of all Our Muse in tears shall tell ; For round the theme bright Genius weaves Her soft and pleasant spell. That little, jewelled, rosewood box, Which with the rest you see, Contains the dust of ^schylus, Who died of Prosody ! Our Prof, once nailed him to the "board " With harsh, iambic bands, And drove great Trochees through his head, And Dactyls through his hands. His ankles Spondees firm confined ; His slender waist around A network of Di-Trochees harsh Most cruelly were bound. HISTORY OF THE CLASS OK '74. 55 And why all this? Because, inspired, He sang a simple lay, And, careless of the critic's sneer, Held on his joyous way. We gathered round the black old hoard, sl Aiei ! fi) ! 4>f n ! " we cried, And 'midst our pitying groans and tears He withered up and died. We bore away his mangled form, And brought it here to rest, Where not a root shall him disturb, Or law of verse molest ! "And what of him," it may be asked, "Who brought us all this woe?" "Does he continue on the earth To wander to and fro ! ' ' Mark well our answer : While the wind Shall ruffle Ocean's breast; While night returning brings to man The blessed boon of rest ; While Winter with his icy touch Shall crown the earth with snow ; While speeding moments in their flight Shall mingle joy and woe; While summer with her lily hand Shall deck a world with flowers; And Autumn touch with golden tints The green of Beauty's bowers ; While man shall learn in College Halls When XP 7 / i s used for Aei, And Freshmen answer, year by year, The question "Where and Why?" So long, by Princeton's classic walls, That Prof, shall wake and sleep, Who murdered those, with ruthless hand, For whom, to-night, we weep. ev, $>ev ! alas ! ah me ! ai ! ail How still and cold they are ! Now weep, ye Sophs ! alas ! farewell ! Kai } ap, km yap, mi yap I Then we wailed and w 7 ept again, slowly made our way through the sympathising crowd, and, retiring to the ball-field, divested our- selves of our funeral garments. The wild, hideous voices died aw\ay, the mourning figures appeared clad in the vesture of every day life ; we repaired to the hotels and held a wake. Thus ended our burial, universally pronounced the best Princeton had ever seen, and considered the best she w r ould see for many years. I had almost forgotten to speak of the grave diggers, who had all the enjoyment of preparation on the night before class day. Not having been favored with an invitation to assist, I can do nothing more than give you their names : Bergncr, Scarlet, Nicholas, Nicoll, S. Cooke, Dersheimer, Peckett, Whitehill and Riggs, while old Bart rendered material service with the wheelbarrow. 56 HJSTORY OF THE CLASS OK '74. SOPHOMORE YEAR INCIDENTS. How we sang "Where, Oh ! where are the verdant Freshmen!" when we came back at the beginning of Sophomore year. We sin- cerely pitied the poor little unfortunates who were obliged to recite to their tutors while we, advanced in mind to giants, were honored to meet Professors. We were large, extremely so. Of course, hazing began immediately ; and we nightly terrified Freshmen, made them sing songs, make speeches, smoke pipes, dance, stand on their heads in the corner and perform all sorts of entertain- ing and amusing feats. I remember one night we started for a room away up in the top story of Re-union Hall. It was the darkest place you could imagine and we stumbled around uncomfortably in the ascent ; but Ave got up at last. We found the Freshmen whom we were seeking, comfort- ably seated in their rooms, at least, we imagined they were ; for we couldn't get in or even look in. The provident young men had, in time of peace, prepared for war, and they had a huge collection of chairs and tables and beds and sofas piled against the door. The bar- ricade resisted all our attempts at entrance. The only satisfaction wo had was stamping about out in the hall, uttering terrible threats, and avowing dread vengeance. But we couldn't persuade the Freshmen to let us in, by any promises of letting off easy, or in any way at all. So we left, pledging ourselves to administer a merited chastisement on the next night. Next night didn't disappoint us in its due arrival, and meeting in front of the Hall, we silently and cautiously ascended the stairs. If anything, it Avas darker than on the preceding night. Somebody kicked the door and it came open just a little bit. The impetuous George, our fiery Jacobs, seized the opportunity and dashed into the room. We concluded not to follow him when we saw the inside. There stood an irate old gentleman, who fixed his eye on George, and George tried to get out. He couldn't ; the old gentleman locked the door and put the key in his pocket. He was the father of the Fresh- men. We, on the outside, had a big notion to run ; but Ave considered that the old gent couldn't see. So Ave stopped and listened. " O, you bad boy !" said the old gent. George didn't reply to the salutation. " O, you very bad, bad boy !" said the old gent again. George Avas about to say something, but the old gent Avouldn't let him. " Don't you knoAv you are a A r ery bad boy ?" The old gent evi- dently expected an affirmative answer. George didn't give it ; but he began to think that he must be horribly and reA T oltingly wicked. "These two boys are my sons, and you were about to torment them, you bad boy !" HISTORY OF THE CLASS OK 74. 57 I could sec George through the keyhole. The bad boy looked at the two boys, and they laughed at him. "Don't you know it is very wrong to haze?" The idea had never struck George in that light. He expressed himself accordingly, and threw in, gratis, some words denoting deep contrition. Then the old gent warmed up, and how he did give it to poor Jake, who sat there trembling. We would have broken in, but we were afraid the old gent would button-hole us, and we already felt that we were degraded sinners, not needing any further condemnation. The old gent told Jake he would use his own pleasure and dis- cretion about reporting him to the Faculty ; and Jake was frightened until he reflected that his name was not known. Then imagine his horror when he saw the old gentleman in Dr. McCosh's recitation the next day, and heard his name called for recitation ! I tell you then Jake was scared ; so scared he couldn't recite with his usual brilliancy, and sat down after a very abrupt " that will do to-day, sir." We had our cane spree with '75. We thought we beat them, and they thought they beat us ; so the affair ended amicably on all sides. John Reid performed prodigies of valor, and spoiled his fame by talking about his deeds. About this time the " Bloods of '74 " were formed. It was a society, and a mighty society. It consisted of Paton, Neff, Van De- venter, Williamson, Walker, Loose and Crawford. They did lots of things — kindled numbers of fires, tore down lots of fences and gates, smashed lots of lamps, etc. — but their crown- ing feat was the publishing and placarding our proclamation to '75. They called in some fellows to assist them, and these afterwards be- came members. The society didn't exist long after the issuing of the proclamation. That feat was too much for them ; it took all their energy. This Avas the proclamation : FRESH! FRESH! Whereas it has seemed fit to the Guardian Angel of Nassau Hall to move our hearts with Compassion For the fresh and tender band of young hopefuls (?) who have so lately come among us ; and whereas, we recognize and appreciate The Cheerful Manner With which they have submitted to our restrictions in all manners and forms : therefore be it resolved, that we, the Class of '74, do hereby grant Permission To the Freshmen to carry canes, without any molestation from said class, on and after Chapel stage week. In affirmation of which we do hereby affix our hand and seal, on this the 23d day of October, A. D. 1871. [seal.] Class of '74. )8 HISTORY OF THE CLASS OF '74. There was a deal of fun sticking up those placards. We stuck them every place; were getting - along finely and just about through, when up went a window in East, and Badeau stuck his head out. Into that head entered the idea we were burglars. He forthwith got out his pistol and began shooting and bawling "thieves! thieves!" How we did go behind trees! And we had to stand there until Ba- deau had emptied all the chambers of his revolver. We tried to get up a class cut in the first session, and made a most egregious fizzle. Some of the class were sent away for hazing, and we heroically determined to bring them back or perish with them. We would defeat the projects and decrees of the Faculty. Yes, indeed, we would. We would show them we had some spirit and spunk, and wouldn't be made children of. They shouldn't send us home with impunity and no one raise a dissenting voice. Hanged if they should. We raved around, and stormed and swore we would have our rights and our classmates restored. We made big calculations. Whigs and Clios met in their respective Halls, and transacted lots of business ; held huge indignation meetings. We appointed a com- mittee with a high-sounding name : The High Joint Commission for Inquiring into — we didn't know what. They met the Faculty and tried to scare them. The Faculty would not scare worth a cent. The fellows couldn't come back till the Faculty chose to let them. Then we made a great show of starting to our rooms to pack our trunks, and go home. But nobody went. Some fellows more sensible than the rest, moved that we be prudent and go back to recitation. We wouldn't do it, and got mad at the dissenters. We vowed vows of vengeance against them. We would never speak to them ; never have the least particle of a thing to do with them ; never. After all our threats were exhausted, we ended by sternly declaring that we wouldn't vote for any of them for any of the class-day orations. We considered that the crowning act of vengeance. But to make them suffer more deeply from our censure, your historian, after re- peated requests, solemnly promised and assured the generous body of "Cutters," that he would write a perfectly scathing account of the reprobates, to be published in the immortal pages of our Class History and to go down to posterity as a lasting, enduring monument of their infamy and perfidy. We fumed around for a whole day, then crawled into recitation and tried to imagine we had not endeavored to get up a cut. Jake Walker, Billy Smith and some more fellows used to cut up in Chapel. Their conduct didn't meet Avith the approbation of the Faculty, and they left us for some days, to meditate in the retirement of their homes. * We had an election on November 25th, and speeches and a bon- fire in the evening. '74 was represented on the rostrum by Gov. M. Smith, of South Carolina, Maj. Gen. W. H. Sponsler, of Pennsyl- vania, and other distinguished gentlemen. We got so proud of our abilities on the foot-ball field, that instead of challenging classes we used to throw down our gauntlet to the HISTORY OF THE CLASS OF '74. 59 whole College. But we were always sharp enough to wait until there were but few on the Campus ; then we would go in. Jerry Bingham, one night, unwittingly walked into a room where some Freshmen were regaling themselves. Jerry got too sociable and communicative after a while. In the course of his remarks he let slip some remarks eulogizing '74 and detracting from the merits of '7o. Those then and there assembled laid violent hands on Jerry : they administered a practical lesson on the government of the tongue. They stood Jerry on his head, in the corner, with his face to the wall. He left, when released, uttering dire threats, to be put in execution when lie caught them by themselves. We had a great many fires in Soph year, and the boys were very heroic on some occasions. They used to rescue valuable furniture and carry it to safe places. They got their clothes spoiled and enjoyed themselves. Once a crowd, assembled to witness a conflagration, were highly delighted with the sight of S. Cooke and Van Deventer, hurry- ing out of the house and across the street, carrying in each hand — unmentionable articles of chamber furniture. Jake's spilled. One night Williamson and another fellow were enjoying a stroll, and warbling sweetly (?) as only they could warble, when a blind was turned, the outline of a female form was plainly seen. Imagination did the rest. It must be, it couldn't be any other than some beautiful girl, charmed by the entrancing melody of their music. They stopped under her window and sang. Oh ! how they sang. It was magnifi- cently discordant. There they staid for about half an hour, and every moment the shutter came further open. They remembered the tales of romance and chivalry, and records of notes dropped by admiring females from airy balconies. They watched for the note ; or, perhaps it might be a glove ; or, she might lean too far over and drop her- self. They waited anxiously, and whispered low endearing terms. Suddenly, open wide flew the shutter, and out came, not the fair Urecian head, crowned with a glorious circle of golden hair, which they had imagined, but the ugliest, blackest old wench you ever saw, with the most horribly woolly head you could ever imagine. Their explosion was moderate; they restrained themselves. "The Devil !" was all they said, and left. Lyman Biddlc used to tell me that he wanted me to write a long account of some night ramble, or dark spree, in which he took part, and which occurred at Lawrenceville. It must have been a terrible affair, for I never saw a man so reticent and mysterious. He used to nod, and wink, and look solemn, all in turn, in the oddest and most mystifying way. He never would tell me, but directed me constantly to some other participator. The story was either awful for him to nan-ate, or else he took a most prominent part in the affair, ami was afraid that, on account of his proverbial modesty, he wouldn't do him self justice. Whatever was the reason, the class has undoubtedly lost the recital of a highly entertaining and diverting anecdote. Since writing the above, L have Learned the reason of Lyman's 60 HISTORY OF THE CLASS OF '74. reticence. No wonder he didn't want to tell. It was an awful crowd for one so young and fair to be with. Briefly told, the story is this : They hired a hay-wagon from Gu- Gulick and went down to Lawrence. They got off at the school ; broke into the school-room and tore it completely up ; and then wakened everybody by ringing the bell. As soon as people began to move around, they mounted their wagon and drove off toward Pen- nington. On their way, they saw a cornfield and they set it on fire. Then satisfied with proceedings, they came home. Is it any wonder Lyman kept silent? JUNIOR YEAR. CHAPTER I. OUR OARSMEN BEING A REVIEW OF '74's BOATING CAREER FROM FRESH- MAN YEAR LP TO THIS TIME. Seventy-four, throughout all her course, but especially in Junior year, had a boat crew. It was at a time when a gymnastic furore had settled upon the whole College. Dumbbells and Indian Clubs were the order of the day. Every room became a miniature gymnasium. Tape lines were daily brought into requisition, and the biceps began to be most studiously observed. Billy Westervelt, even, was seized with the mania, and, forgetting his oratorical resolve, might have been seen any day in the gymnasium, diligently hauling at the weights or describing graceful curves on the rings. Compton attended for a while quite regularly, until he hit himself several times on the head with the clubs, and then he desisted. Fatty Lewis went one day, but finding himself locked in when he wanted to go to dinner, and, on account of the detention, arriving late at that meal, he resolved that the welfare of his stomach was of more consequence than the acquisition of muscle, and never went again. Berg and Jai forewent the pleasures of loafing in their sanctum and practised daily. One unacquainted with the vacillating character of our friends, might have thought that this change for the better, this praiseworthy start in the work of reform, would be permanent, and would be followed up with greater efforts by the occupants of No. 3 North Reunion. But the principle was not deep-seated, and they relapsed into a worse state than they were in before. For, before this melancholy time, they daily promised to get new chairs, and fix their room up nice and com fortable for visitors; but from this time forward they made no prom- ises, and got positively impudent when any one kindly remonstrated with them. And, in addition to having broken furniture, they per- sisted in keeping on their mantel-piece two of the most horrible, worst-looking statuettes that ever shocked the poorest aesthetic taste. But the fellows of whom I am now writing, were men of a differ- ent stamp — they were determined on the cultivation of their muscle — and so 74 had a boat crew in Junior year. A genuine boat crew— a crew possessed of lots of strength ; heavy-weights, in fact. Not like that miserable affair in Fresh year, of which every one was captain, and in which Bradford pulled stroke, and Gordon bow. Cordon was the worst bow-oar you can imagine; he invariably ran into a bank in every hundred rods, or hit his head on a bridge, and rudely expletived against both banks and bridges. And that was altogether the funniest, crew you ever saw, with one brilliant excep- i> 62 HISTORY OF THE CLASS OF '74. tion, viz : Billy Sponsler's crew in Soph year, in which Billy pulled stroke, or rather the worst combination of crabs and strokes that ever pained the sensitiveness of an oarsman. I nsed to go out with both crews, and I know how they worked. They used to have harder luck than any crowd of fellows I know, especially the Fresh year crew. They would always find the railroad bridge swung back, the boat house within the aggravating distance of fifty feet, and no way of getting at it except by walking a quarter of a mile to one of the other bridges ; and after arriving at that point, they were always sure to find that bridge unswung, and the fellow at supper, from which repast lie would not rise until he had finished ; or just as they would come down the Canal street road their eyes would be gladdened by the sight of about sixty canal boats, numerous schoon- ers and a sprinkling of tugs, all passing that point, — and they were obliged to wait. When they would get to the boat-house and bring the boat out, they would pretty nearly upset getting in ; and when the word was given "to trim boat," I have seen them all go to one side of the boat and thereby disturb the equinimity of all on board. In addition to these obstacles and discomfitures, no one at the canal knew them ; no bridge-keepers would swing open the bridges, and the keepers' children would shamefully maltreat them. I have known the little urchins to get on the bridge, and while the boys were pushing under, all lying flat on their backs in the boat to avoid striking their heads, the ragamuffins would drop sand and fine gravel down into their faces. At such times Gordon always wanted to get out and fight, but he was restrained. And Billy's crew in Soph year was just as bad. I never saw a crew catch so many crabs, and fall around so much in a boat. They were continually meeting with mishaps, running into the bank and staving in the bow, or breaking an out-rigger, or unshipping the rud- der. One day, late in the spring, they got bold and made a resolve that henceforth they would row with their shirts off, bare-backed. They only tried it two days ; and for two weeks thereafter you couldn't go near them to touch them without being pretty nearly annihilated. Their backs were all blistered and they felt so sore. But the crew I started to speak of, was like neither of these; they were made of sterner stuff. The were plucky and strong, they didn't run into banks, for Fred was a splendid steerer ; they didn't burn their backs, because they were not such fools as to take off their shirts. There were Dave and Fred and Mosc and Lyman and Jake and Snooze. Snooze pulled stroke and Fred pulled bow. I believe it an established rule in rowing, that the lightest man shall always be put in the bow. They went out rowing every morning ; and you could always tell when they were going out, so that if you desired to sec a really fine exhibition of rowing, all that was necessary was to get up early, and go down to the canal. On each evening directly after mail, up to Reunion they would saunter, one after another, and each one raise his voice in an imploring appeal to Jake to wake them in the morning. This point settled, off HISTORY OF THE CLASS OF '74. 63 they would wander, and the boat crew was forgotten until the follow- ing morning about five o'clock, when Jake's stirring voice would be heard calling his sleeping crew from their slumbers, and bidding them prepare for a row. And then the occupants of the College buildings used to pour down maledictions on Jake's head for rousing them at such an unseasonable hour. It was this rising so early, and this severe training which caused such a diminution in flesh in the per- sons of Buck and Mose, and made Lyman so sprightly and athletic. One morning they got under way finely ; everything was working like a charm; every fellow was doing his best; "the spruce blades bent as they sent the spray in glittering showers far astern." Not a hair was turned; not a drop of perspiration was seen; not a single labored breath had been drawn. Suddenly a canal boat hove in sight. "Can we pass it?" "Yes, easily," said Buck; but the pesky thing swung into the middle of the channel. "Let us go under the rope," said Fred, looking around. Under the rope they started to go, when suddenly it tightened and caught an outrigger. "Let us jump," said Lyman, springing up. " Sit still," cried Fred in stentorian tones, (for his tones are sten- torian, except when he tries to sing tenor). " But we shall be droAvned," shrieked Lyman. " Hit him with an oar," yelled Mose. All this time the boat was rocking from side to side, taking in water and threatening to go under at every lurch ; and Lyman, who had risen to his feet, was plunging about most recklessly. " If you don't sit down, I'll drown you myself," growled Dave. But Lyman wouldn't be seated, until some one, not kindly, but forcibly, assisted him. Reader, think of submersion under that storm-tossed sheet of raging water ; think of what a damp, wet, disagreeable resting-place that would be ; think of lying among the hulls of once stately canal boats, heaps of boat treasures, and remuants of defunct felines and canines, whose necks having been furnished with amulets, had been hurled "Anywhere, anywhere Out of the world." When you allow your mind to cognize these fearful images, can you wonder at the trepidation of our friend? Who can tell how thoughts of home and friends loomed up before him as he gazed upon the cruel, cruel water ? Oh ! Freddy, and Mose, and Dave, you fellows should have remembered that you could swim, but that Lyman was not a wharf-rat. You ought to have respected his feelings, and not made fun of him so meanly. They were not upset; the boat was dis- engaged and they proceeded on their way. This is but a specimen of the dangers through which these in- trepid navigators were obliged to pass in their arduous endeavors in the way of training. In going under a bridge, Freddy would always 64 niSTOBT OF THE CLASS Oh' '74. imagine some one was too high, and when, with commendable gener- osity, lie would raise his own head to tell him of it, a sharp rap against the wood would serve to remind him that self-preservation is the first law of nature. These fellows rowed a race once with the University Crew, in which the latter gave them one minute's start. They beat the 'Varsily, but when they came in they all looked remarkably like a wornout lot of humanized porpoises. By the law of association, a story relative to the canal comes to my mind, and although the incident occurred in Senior year, I will tell it now. It is about John — John, who roomed in North, and came from Pennsylvania — John, who sat beside Ilenny and talked so much in recitation — that Rope-in. You all remember the excitement which was felt in Princeton on the occasion of the discovery that, a crime had been committed on the borders of the canal. And you doubtless all remember how many vigilance committees were started to ferret out the author of the crime ; how Spons, and Jim Scarlet, and Berg, had a chain of circum- stantial evidence in which was wanting but one link, and that was the one by which the chain was to be fastened. Well, John was at the head of one of these committees, and as he in consequence took a great interest in its success, he determined to go to the scene of the murder and impure, and, if need be, confront some person with the villainy. So, marching boldly up to the tavern at the basin, John ac- costed the proprietor of "ye ancient hostelry," Mr. C . "Good morning, Mr. C ," said John. "Ugh, good morning, sir," responded Mr. C . "Fine morning, Mr. C ; a little frosty, hut fine." "Yes ; what's the news at Princeton about that little affair down here ? " " Well," said John boldly, " they have their suspicions on the man that did it." " They have, hey ! Who do they say did it? " " Why, they say you murdered him, Mr. C ." "The devil they do," was the angry response to John's direct attack. John, with a look of great surprise : " Why, didn't you. Mr. G g * Words in italics are to be read with a rising inflection. HISTORY OF THE CLASS OF '74. 65 CHAPTER II. THE COTERIE. There was another institution in Junior year, in addition to the boat club. Its originators deserve mention, and the date of its foun- dation ought to be noted, for though possessed of but few members, it exerted a great influence in our class, and proved very beneficial to those who were fortunate enough to gain admittance to its esoteric circle. It was " the Coterie." tt was started in the winter of Junior year. The original idea of its founders was to make it a reading club, and its meetings were to be open for any disputations concern- ing any subject in the wdiole field of literature. So, you see, nothing could be argued against the wideness of its scope. I attended some of their meetings, and found them extremely interesting, although on some occasions the disputes ran high and diverged strikingly from the original subject under debate. It was founded by Billy Sponsler, Jai Stuart, Bergner, Jim Scarlet, and some other fellow whom I never met at any meetings, and who, I therefore imagine, was not a very active nor brilliant member. Billy used to read Shakspeare and his voice used to sound grand- ly, and his renditions of favorite passages were excellent. The more you would talk to him, the more he would read, and so they used to poke at him and keep him reading all night long. The beauty about it was, that Billy was accommodating enough to do it, and he favored us at every request, until one night Jai made fun of him, "because he hadn't any inflection and never changed his voice up or down." What did Jai know about inflection ? Billy argued, and then made fun of the up and down part of the sentence. But Jai wasn't to be put off that way, and called Billy "Boom! Boom!" for a long time after- ward. Well, after Billy had finished Shakspeare, some one else would read from another author. Then some one would get out an essay and read it, and all would pass criticisms upon it. The latter, however, was only done on special occasions, that is, the reading of the whole paper ; but no fellow ever wrote a pretty sentence that did not receive the approbation and applause of all. No one performed a doubtful act or indulged in any vice to too great an extent, that he was not sharply reprimanded therefor. During their incipiency, they were quiet, peaceable, not easily moved to anger one against the other. But after awhile the novelty of the reading wore off, and they had recourse to other means of spending the meeting night. They then got up the worst little squabbles. A member couldn't make a remark, but some one would declare a word in it was wrongly used. I knew them to argue two days and a half on the meaning of one word, and they didn't settle it after all. If you pronounced a word a little doubtfully, the whole 66 history of tiii; class or 71. crowd would be at you, and after agreeing together that you were wrong, they would invariably disagree as to which of themselves was right. One time, I remember, they got up a dispute on the pronun- ciation of " Belvedere," and even Jai couldn't settle the point, though he was "awful on prowotmciation." They sent a delegation to look at the dictionary; it went, returned and reported the word as being inflected in its way. Another was started and came back disagreeing with the first, and declaring the pronunciation as it had previously said. Finally, they all went in a body, and found that none had been right. Again they started an argument — Jai and Billy did ; they used to start them all. They started an argument on the requisite qualities which, taken in combination, made up that rarity, a perfect gentle- man. They began right after dinner, and cut recitation to settle the question. I came in after Chapel and heard them argue until supper time, when the case was adjourned over to be resumed after that meal had been disposed of. At it they went after supper, and when I called to say good-night at bed-time, Billy was laying down the law to Jai with extreme volubility. The funniest thing was to hear them talk about descending to personalities in debate. They all agreed it was the last resort of de- feated argument ; and asserted, time without number, that it was a most despicable way to try to bully down an antagonist. And after all, they Avouldn't talk five minutes, until Jim would begin to be sar- castic to Billy, dwelling on his splendid attainments, and vast store of intelligence, and infering that it was remarkable how any one of such brilliant acquirements could hold and advocate opinions so erroneous. Jai would satirize them both in good round terms ; and then they would turn on Jai, with remarks about stupid, fat people, and make fun of his feet, of which organs Jai was immensely proud ; while Berg, looking calmly down from the height of his journalistic dignity, would laugh at the whole three. Through all their meetings ran a pleasant vein of humor. Jim- my's jokes were a source of never-failing delight, and furnished lots of merriment when the hours passed slowly. It being impossible to work them out by any process of mental arithmetic known under the sun, it was customary to reduce them to writing, and illustrate them by choice sketches from Billy's ready pen, and then they were put up on the wall, in order that chance visitors might aid in deciphering them. I distinctly remember one of Jimmy's most abstruse which puzzled the minds of all for nearly a week, and almost put " Slops " into dis- traction ; and when Jimmy was asked for the solution he had forgotten what his original remark was ! The fellow whose name I have forgotten or never heard men- tioned, used to go up and stay all night with Jai when Berg was away. These two would behave shamefully. They would go over to town and get ale and take it to the room and drink it, and then sit up half the night discussing " the loves of the angels," meaning, by that poetic phrase, their own loves in the Keystone State. Occasionally Billy HISTORY OF THE CLASS OF '74. G7 would join them, and would monopolize two-thirds of the bottles. The next day he would come around swearing life was a bore ; and expressing some metaphysical doubts most startling to those not ac- quainted with all the facts in the case. The friendship existing among the members was very sincere. On one occasion one of them asked the hand of another in marriage, and was accepted. The terms of agreement were that they were to travel together around the world, and mutually aid one another in life's battles, and heaps more of sentiment. Wedding cards were about to be issued, when a fight occurred between the affianced pair, and the marriage was indefinitely postponed. I have never been in- forraed whether the consummation so devoutly wished has as yet taken place. The Coterie held together from the time of its birth, throughout both Junior and Senior years, and, I have firm reason to believe, is still existing. They occasionally did some queer things outside of their literary pursuits. Three of them went out for a stroll one afternoon, in Senior year, and only two went to chemistry lecture, of which two one fell to hiccoughing, and was obliged to leave the room. One night they went to call on a learned doctor of the common law. There they Avere regaled, not with Horace's choicest Falernian, but with " Hankins' best, " flavored with some spirited reading, by the learned lawyer, from his own compositions and orations. They were all there that night except Jimmy, and he was busily engaged in polling John Stuart Mill for the next meeting, when he hoped to annihilate somebody. Long live the Coterie ! May the influence which her members exerted while in College be but typical of better and nobler exertions to lead mankind aright in life. One is making his power felt in the State of his nativity ; may the rest do likewise. May the remem- brance of the good old times spent together be fresh and green in each one of their hearts, and may the members of the Coterie be wel- come to each other, wherever, whenever, and however found. 68 HISTORY OP THE CLASS OP 74. JUNIOR YEAR INCIDENTS. Upper class-men at last ! The two years of patient waiting and toil were over, and we were really Juniors. Our pride was of an excusable and commendable type. We were not so meanly proud as at the beginning of Soph year. We didn't think now, as we did then, that we were the most important beings in College, and that if our existence would cease, by any means, the whole universe would feel the void. We didn't think now that we knew more than all the other classes put together ; that we could receive no instractions from the Professors, because they didn't know enough to impart anything to us. In fact, we didn't now consider ourselves omniscient and omni- potent. We recognized the abilities of the class above us, and looked down at the classes below us without the least hauteur ; we even per- mitted them to become familiar and address us by our first names, and and slap us on the back, and say "old boy," and were altogether much more condescending as Juniors than we had been as Sophomores. We took a lively interest in the affairs of '76 ; watched over them tenderly as their proper and constituted collegiate guardians ; fed them in their nests until they were able to fly, and warded off Sophomore hawks and Senior eagles. We hallowed for them on the ball field, and supported them in their cane spree, and gave them the benefit of our wise counsel and vast experience. We made many splendid resolutions for Junior year. We would take notes on all lectures ; we would study some, enough to maintain a creditable standing in class. But our time we meant to devote to reading. Read, how we intended to read, and what didn't we intend to read ? I have seen fellows sit calmly down, and with solemn de- meanor and most determined faces, map out a course of reading, the most voluminous you can imagine. One I remember was bent, had fully resolved, to read the histories of all the nations of the world from the creation down to the present time ; and as each nation's chronicles were finished, he declared he was going back to read the literature of that nation in the original tongue ! He actually thought he could accomplish it all in one year, and if you attempted to remonstrate with him, he would wax exceedingly wroth, and would inquire quite savagely whether or not you meant to derogate from his energy and persever- ance. He would have killed himself in a short while if we hadn't taken all his books away from him and locked them up. We couldn't follow out our good resolutions ; those lectures in the morning without recitations, afforded nights too temptingly devoid of any duties. Whist flourished surprisingly, and some of the boys became wonder- fully proficient. The practice of Junior year gave Cooke and Bingham the College championship in Senior year. I think it was in Junior year we had so many kinds of tournaments ; billiards, bowling, etc. So you see with such diversified amusements, and so many attractions HISTORY OF THE CLASS OF '74. 60 besides musty tomes and dusty pamphlets, it can't be wondered at that reading came on rather poorly. We didn't do much running about in Junior year : the fellows made all the noise in their rooms. So we were quieter than we had been airy time during the last two years. But the boys sometimes got out. One day Eme and Orestes were strolling together over the barren wastes of Rocky Hill, hunting up some sort of mischief, as we might know from the mere fact of their companionship. Two such precious, deserving-to-be-hung rascals, as they were, would never go out prowl- ing around in that kind of style if there was not something on which they wanted to get their all-grasping hands. It was on a Sunday, too, when they knew everybody was at church, and their homes unpro- tected, and that circumstance, of itself, looks suspicious. Orestes used to argue quite earnestly in his endeavor to convince me that he didn't mean anything wrong by going out, and I used to almost bring tears to O.'s eyes by being firmly set in my belief, and not to be shaken. If he didn't go for anything else, he went out of a very reprehensible spirit of curiosity. After finding out what we fellows in class were doing, or thinking of doing, he determined to change the base of his opera- tions to Rocky Hill, and investigate that portion of the country. I venture to say that if he had gotten into a house he wouldn't have left a room unexamined. Curiosity was a passion with Orestes. Why, if S. Cooke would open a paper of tobacco, Orestes always wanted to see how much was in it, and what it looked like, and would not give Silas a moment's rest until he had taken a piece of paper and approxi mated the number of chews contained in a fresh paper of Sunnysidc. Then Orestes wanted to know how many chews he thought it likely would be given away ; whether fellows begged much tobacco from one another ; if it made a fellow's teeth very black to use the weed, or was it something he ate, and not the tobacco at all. Upon my word, he used to put Silas through such a course of catechising that I was afraid of a tainting scene. It was awful, the way Orestes used to ask questions. He beat Shakspeare Elder all hollow. Shakspearc would have been whitewashed nine successive innings if he had taken the field against O. Yet Shakspearc was a good interrogator. But Orestes beat anybody I ever did see. One day, I remember distinctly, he looked at Silas for fifteen minutes, and then asked him if " he ever intended to raise a moustache !" Caius looked at him for about a minute, and, stroking that luxuriant down on his upper lip, exclaimed, "You dam fool !" He used to get Botsford raging mad by trying to see what book he was reading in recitation; distracted lJluch so he couldn't calculate, and disturbed the equable serenity of John Daniel's temperament. But I am digressing. Erne and O. went out walking. Eme looked mischievous; there was a merry twinkle in the depths of his lustrous blue eye. They climbed fences, and hooked apples, and got phased by dogs, times without number. Presently they espied a nice, fat young gobbler, sitting on the fence. j ss & lfl 70 HISTORY OF THE CLASS OF '74. "By gosh!" says Minor, "by gosh" I'm goin' to have that fellow !' "You better not," says Orestes ; " is it a turkey ? " . Minor was too busy looking for a stone to reply, and O. asked the question until Minor was obliged to explain to him that he thought it was. Then he found a stone. You know how gracefully Erne used to throw a snowball. Well, he threw this time with his usual precision, and came a good deal nearer damaging Orestes than striking the turkey. But he kept on throwing for about half an hour, and the turkey sat there, calmly regarding him, and evidently at a loss how to account for the human gyrations and contortions he was Avitnessing, until a stone, chance directed, hit the turkey in the head, and over he went. As soon as Orestes beheld the slaughter, he dreaded the conse- quences, and started for home with remarkable celerity. It is posi- tively asserted by Eme, that Orestes didn't stop until he reached his room and locked the door. And the next time they met, Eme pretty nearly suffered an attack of temporary insanity from the number of questions he was forced to answer. The next night a jovial party assembled in Erne's room, and the turkey, having been roasted in town, was speedily disposed of. The convivial bowl circulated pretty freely, and " lemon-peels " came very nearly causing another terrible sickness. I can't tell you all we did that night. How each fellow sat up with a bone in his fist, and joked, and sang, and told stories ! It was one of our many dear old expe- riences. The class about this time almost had a funeral. The most of you fellows didn't know how very near you came to losing one of our most prominent and promising members. Fred Williamson pretty nearly blew his head off fooling with chemicals in the room of the Princeton Scientific Club. It was a narrow escape, and Buck remembered the lesson. He never went near any chemicals, and attended as few lectures as possible in Senior year. Beach and Bobbins, sometime in Junior year, began to exercise their fascinating wiles on the young ladies of Princeton and vicinity. They made any number of conquests. They got to be as mysterious in all their doings as Patterson. They were accustomed to dress up every night and go out. They got reckless, and pretty nearly ruined Dyke Gulick : they got so many teams and ran up such tremendous bills. They were about the only gay lotharios we had, if we except Field and Strong — and, I had almost forgotten, George. George sur- passed them both. They often tried to compete successfully with him ; but it was of no avail. If George wanted to go and see a girl, they must stay away. George was so taking, so popular with the ladies ; he had a nice, pleasant, gushing style that was simply irresist ible. He used to entreat them to address him as "George ; " society conventionalities were so distasteful to him, and he did hate to be "mistered." I tell you, these three fellows were possessed o( no ordinary attractions for the ladies, and they acted dreadfully mean HISTORY OF THE CLASS OF '74. 71 about it; they wouldn't tell you a giiTsyiame. If you asked them — "say, Sam, who is that girl over on the other side of the street?" — two to one, the only answer you would get, would be, "That girl ; <)! she lives over on Rocky Hill." They used to get all kinds of delightful bows, and wouldn't let anybody share the enjoyment. The Judge and Erne wrote an essay for our esteemed criticizer. It was a most erudite production. They both distinguished them- selves on it, and got it out of the same book. Judge had his nicely eopicd ; his manuscript was exceedingly neat, and he called Minor in to show him what he had done — to read to him his essay — and to impress upon him more deeply the idea of his brilliant rhetorical powers. The composition all through, was excellent; but the final sentence was the telling one. All the elegant tropes and huge, large- sounding words had been reserved to be brought in with powerful effect at the end. Judge read impressively ; Erne listened attentively and with an expression of unbounded admiration. The delivery was finished; Judge looked up to hear the well-deserved encomiums. Eme, his countenance wearing a quizzical expression, finally said: "Judge, wait till I get my essay." The essay was found, and Erne read a sentence surprisingly like the Judge's. " Now," said Eme, "now wait till I get my book and show you where I found that," It was one Judge had borrowed from Eme. Some fellows got out a burlesque on our final Paper in Logic. It was a capital thing, and was duly appreciated by the class and the College. The authors have always been unknown, but suspicion points to at least two who were concerned in it — Gephart and West. Whoever produced it, I extend to them the compliments of the class for their splendid sarcasm. During all our four years the boys used to play tricks upon one another. There was not a session passed over us but that some stu- pendous hoax was perpetrated. Somebody was sure, at some time, to be badly frightened, or bored by some practical joke, by his classmates. The boys were all full of life, and spirits, and animation, and occa- sionally there would be an ebullition, and somebody fooled. All boys ought to be lively, but our boys possessed a superabundance. You remember, in Junior year, about every other fellow in Col- lege received a circular from some bogus firm in New York, which, after setting forth the splendors and enjoyments of wealth, as con- trasted with the penury and toils incident to poverty, contained an assurance that, if the firm were furnished with a certain supply of cash, it would forward to the address of the purchaser an untold amount of bank notes. Of course no one sent for any money. About this time Rpbbins and Robison were rooming together, and the former used to worry and torment the latter continually. He used to do all sorts of things — mean things, too, I am sorry to ray ; i. e., Bull thought they were mean. If Bull wanted to have a prayer- meeting, or anything of that sort, Sam, like a naughty boy, would go and 72 HISTORY OF THE CLASS OF '74. get a crowd of fellows like Buchanan and Morris, and they would send to Hankins', get a bottle of something, and break up the meeting, drinking hot things. It Robison wanted to study, Sam wanted to improve his voice. If the Secretary wanted to read his Bible, Sam always had something interesting in one of Reynolds' entertaining productions, which he deemed would be highly instructive to the Sec- retary, and which he insisted upon reading aloud. Occasionally Harry Beach would come up, and screech around and act as crazy as Sam, and between them all the Secretary "did have a devil of a time."' It was just like, we imagine, the harmony there is existing between a rattlesnake and a prairie-dog inhabiting the same hole. They live together, and seem to enjoy it, and we must suppose, for the sake of analogy, that it was the same way here. It would have been good fun if sometime Robison had got real mad and cleaned them all out. Well, Harry Beach and Sam Bobbins one day got hold of one of these counterfeit money circulars, and they thought they would get up a good joke on the poor, persecuted Bull, who had a harder time than one of his namesakes in a Spanish arena. They put up a circular in a nice envelope, and directed it to "Mr. Albert L. Robison, Prince- ton, N. J.;" then went to a couple of fellows in town, who agreed, for the fun of the thing, to represent New York detectives. The affair having been all arranged, they waited for Robison to get the letter. It was put in his box at the office, taken out in due time, opened, and he innocently thrust it into his pocket. That night Bobbins was in rather earlier than usual, and had not been seated long before Beach came in. Robison wanted to study and was going out, when they urged him to stay, representing that his society was absolutely indispensable to their happiness. The victim took a seat, and they all laughed and joked and chatted freely until the clock proclaimed the hour of ten. Sam and Harry exchanged significant glances, and Harry opened up: " I see by the papers that there are loads of counterfeit currency floating around the country now." " Yes," said Sam; " a good many fellows in College have received circulars from some New York firm which offers to send money to applicants." Robison forgot all about his letter for the time, and was only reminded of it by Beach's next remark. " I bet the Government will give it to any they catch." " You bet they will," said Sam. " Bless my soul !" ejaculated Bull ; " I got a circular this morning." " Is that so ;" said Sam mournfully, " you'd better get it out of the road as soon as possible." " By cracky ! I will !" and he began searching for it. Just then footsteps were heard coming up stairs, heavy ominous- sounding footsteps, and then came a loud knock on the door. " Put away those letters," said Sam in a loud voice which meant "come in." HISTORY OF THE CLASS OF '74. 73 Albert Leslie tried to comply, but just then open swung the door ; two strange men stood on the threshold, and Robison was caught. "Does Albert L. Robison room here '?" said the taller of the figures. " He does; I am he," tremblingly responded our strong man. " I am sony, sir ; but there is a rumor afloat in New York city that you are leagued with a band of counterfeiters; and I have been sent down here to work up the case. Disagreeable as the task is I must search your room and your person." You never did see any one look like Robison ! It was awful to gaze into his face; he gasped for air; he got ghastly white and deep red by turns. Finally he gasped out, "you-daren't-do-it. You- haven' t-any authority." The officer silently turned over the lapel of his coat and there glistened the star. Then it seemed as though Robison's mighty spirit had burst; he sank back and buried his face in his hands. The mental strain must have been terrible. His strong frame shook with the violence of his emotion. The pent up grief did not find its vent in tears. To be searched like a felon ! To be even suspected of so great a crime! He to be suspected! He whose whole College career had been an argument for virtue ! He who wouldn't go into the cane spree because the Faculty didn't approve of it ! Perhaps he was to be dragged off to prison. lie would be disgraced for life ; the stain of that one accusation would cling to him till death ! It was awful, horrible ! And while he was thinking these thoughts, Sam and Harry and the two detectives were enjoying the joke hugely ; they laughed silently and warily. The circular was found. The proof of complicity was sufficient. The detective's tones were more those of sorrow than of anger. " I deeply regret to inform you, sir, that I will have to take you to New York with me. I trust that you may be able to clear yourself from this grave accusation. Should you wish to see your friends for the purpose of obtaining bail, it will give me great pleasure to attend to your messages. I will not submit you to the ignominy of being incarcerated in the jail of this county ; but as we will remain all night, and as I cannot permit you to be unguarded, I will leave my assistant in your room. I see you have a lounge on which he can sleep. We will now retire so that you may arrange for to-morrow's journey.'' They left. Robison paced the room in agony of mind. He im- ploringly besought Sam to telegraph for his father to come on immedi- ately ; he asked him to go and arouse Dr. McCosh to see if he could do anything in this extremity. Sam shook his head. It was too late then to telegraph, and Dr. McCosh was soundly slumbering, but he promised to do everything in his power in the morning. Then he and Beach began to suggest means of escape. They would knock down the fellow who was to sleep in the room, and then Robison could escape. They would go out and get some chloroform, and make him insensible while he slept. They would murder him, if need be. But Robison said no ; he would take his chances of trial like a man ; he knew he would be cleared, because he was innocent and they couldn't convict him. Sam and Harry shook their heads ; and they 74 HISTORY OP THE CLASS OF '74. got the Secretary pretty nearly crazy conjecturing as to how many years a fellow was likely to get for a crime of that description ; and counting up the number of cases, within their own personal experi- ence, of innocent fellows who had been found guilty and even hung. It was a shame to prey on a fellow's feelings that way, but they did it remorselessly, while waiting for the return of the assistant. When mo- ment after moment passed and he still didn't come, they urged Robison to fly. lint he wouldn't, and finally they all went to bed ; two to sleep comfortably, and one to be tormented by hideous night-mares and to toss restlessly on his pillow all night long. When they arose in the morning, the Secretary looked haggard and worn ; and then at last they took compassion upon him, and told him it was a hoax. Phew! he was madder than he had been scared the night before. O ! but he was mad ! lie turned the tables with remarkable celerity, and Sam and Harry found themselves more deeply involved in the fun than they had expected to be. He went to the telegraph office and telegraphed for his father himself ; and when lie came, the son narrated all the circumstances. Kobison pere was mad- der than Robison_A7s. They together indited a letter to an attorney, and announced themselves resolved to make the conspirators pay for their fun. Robison became elated, and Sam and Harry correspond- ingly dejected. Robison recovered his confidence ; Sam and Harry were badly frightened. They pretended they were not, but I give you my word they were. When you conversed with them about the affair, they would give a funny little scared laugh, but they didn't seem to care to be communicative. They were evidently more than annoyed at the unexpected turn affairs had taken. They looked just like our Professor of Logic used to when we wouldn't laugh at his jokes, a little consternated. The unpleasantness gradually died away, and all the punishment which the disturbers of the peace received, was a reprimand from the Faculty, and an injunction to refrain from practical jokes in the future. Our Junior orator contest took place in both Halls in the first session, and the result reported with our sessional grades. The deci- sions of the committees in both Whig and Clio Halls gave universal satisfaction ; and all were convinced that eight better men could not have been selected to represent the Literary societies on the - 'J. O." stage. The successful contestants in the Halls were : Whig— J. S. Ri^ s , j. H. Ross, N. I. Rubiukam, W. II. Sponsler. Clio— R, E. Field, H. M. Hinckley, W. D. Nicholas. W. II. Wiggins. The successful boys studied and wrote, and were as nervous as ihey could be, until the occasion came off. Then they got on the stage as coolly and collectedly as need be, and did splendidly. The Second Presbyterian Church was crowded, and all agreed in saying that they never had seen such an immense gathering of beautiful ladies and distinguished men, nor had ever heard a finer set of speeches. The church looked elegant; the galleries and the floor 11IST0KY OF THE CLASS OF '74. 75 were densely packed, the pews being almost entirely filled by ladies, and I never saw so many pretty females. We almost lost the speeches of our classmates looking- at the girls. It was funny to hear them talk. Though I admired extremely the intellectual abilities of our speakers, I can't say that I ever considered them extraordinarily gifted with handsome features ; yet, whenever any of them got up, 1 heard "Oh! isn't he handsome ;" " I think he is perfectly elegant ;" " How much character there is in his face ;" "What a delicious mouth he has, um-m/' "I declare I never, in all my life, saw such a crowd of handsome gentlemen ;" one even said, "Ain't they dear, delicious creatures 1 " I had half intended to ask her whether she meant to eat ; but I retrained. Imagine chewing on Erne ! But after all, their commendations were, in one sense, well de- served. They proved themselves to be orators par excellence, and those who failed to get a prize, might well congratulate themselves on the strength of their antagonists, and reflect with pleasure on the ability with which they had to cope. The order of speaking, and the subjects of the orations, were as follows : Walter D. Nicholas, N. J. — Gladstone. N. I. liubinkam, Penna. — Tlie Spirit of Inquiry. William H. Sponsler, Penna. — Mazzints Ideal. Harry M. Hinckley, Penna. — A Tribute to Robert Emmet. Richard E. Field, N. J. — John Knox. James II. Ross, N. Y. — Culture in its Relation to Practical Life. James S. Riggs, N. Y. — The Relief of Lucknow and its Lessons. Willis II. Wiggins, N. Y. — Antagonism. The next day the names of the successful competitors were an- nounced. James II. Ross, of N. Y., received the Maclean prize for the best written oration, and, in addition, the first Junior Orator Medal. William II. Sponsler, of Penna., received the second Junior Orator Medal. Walter I). Nicholas, of N. J., received the third, and Willis II. Wiggins, of N. Y, the fourth. The "Literary Board" was elected in the third session. The following is the list of editors, and the order in which the Bits ap- peared : Field and Crawford edited the first number: West and Ilenney the second; Deems and Whitehill the third; and Wiffffins and Nicoll the fourth. SENIOR YEAR. We were all so remarkably good in Senior and Junior years that your Historian experienced an infinite deal of trouble and was obliged to rack bis brains excessively to find a subject for a chapter. He could recall no midnight prowlings, no well concerted plots of mischief; and was forced to believe that the class had been more than usually moral. He, however, remembered the recitations of the two years; and thinking a review of some of them might be interesting, he wrote up a few of the reminiscences connected with them. CHAPTER I. IIOUKS WITH THE CLASSICS. Would you rove amid the wooded groves of Helicon ; would it please you to sit for awhile in her cool retreats and storied grots ? Are your world-tossed, business-vexed minds capable of grasping the depths and truths of philosophy ; the beauties of poetry ; the wonders of fiction ? Can you forget, and leave your present avocations, and come with me back to the days of story, of romance, of mythology ? Is your foot too tired already with the race of life to ascend the sum- mit of High Olympus to visit. — "That reputed seat eternal AVhich never storms disturb nor snows invade." Are you still so accustomed to the literature and antiquities of Greece that you can think with pleasure on the past I would recall ? If so, let us review together some hours spent in classical room No. 1. How we enjoyed those times ! Sometimes we were too wild : often very rude ; and we occasionally sang, cheered, and stamped a little too uproariously ; but Ave did all in uncaring thoughtlessness. We never intentionally struck harshly the delicate sensibilities of our kind instructor ; never meaningly wounded his large, warm heart. We were generally well behaved, but oftentimes young blood would break away from all control, and then how we rioted ! On one row in regular succession came Parker, Paton, Peckett. They were the centre of a select few, who disregarded the wishes and inclinations of the limited number of individuals desiring to be bene- fited by the recitation. Mose was the Lucifer when any Pandemonium was instituted. When his clarion call to noisy arms was heard, woe ! betide the luckless Professor. Mosc's well-known " h-i-1 1-o-w, " or " oh my, " was the signal for uproar. From the time of our first assembling, in Freshman year, down through all the successive years, even down to the eventful time of HISTORY OF THE CLASS OF '74. 77 that farewell speech, so full of forgiving love, and pitying tenderness, and intercessory promises — that last, eloquent, tear-compelling har- angue — classical room, No. 1, was the stage upon which were played many dramas of unrule. Can't we all remember the time when Prof. C. issued an edict, purporting to come from the Faculty, to the effect, that on account of the outrageous disturbance created by means of the offending articles, no canes would be allowed inside the class-room in the future'? How indignant we all were at this curtailing of our dearest Sophomoric dignity, our most glorious right ! Why should the innocent be punished with the guilty ? Ave demanded. Because Jake Wikoff, and John Walker, and Senator Wiggins, and Whitehill, and all those fellows on the back row, were continually acting fresh and dropping canes on the floor, or rattling them against the wires under the chairs, — were we all, the whole class of '74 collectively — all of us the best, bravest, most intellectual class Nassau had ever seen, — were we to be divested of our proudest distinction as Sophomores '? We were touched on our most sensitive nerve point, to speak physiologically. We determined to revolt against the decree of the Faculty. But how? Many plans were suggested, but none seemed just the one to inflict a permanent rebuke upon the honored body which watched over our welfare, and warn them from again trench- ing on our rights and taking away our franchises. We could find nothing exactly expressive of the violent bent of our minds, the craving nature of our disposition to revolt against authority, except downright and unexampled disobedience. Accordingly, orders were issued by the powers that be, commanding every one to procure canes for our next Greek recitation. Terrible were our threats against those who we thought would be so dead to all sense of honor and justice as to cleave unto the Faculty — against those who, we imagined, would not carry canes. Our high-minded souls revolted against them. We agreed among each other, never to associate with them, if they did not display their manhood at this trying hour. And how many plots we devised for driving them from College, or getting rid of them in someway; insidious, secret, awful plots, and dire torments (if we ever could get at them) we pondered upon. Ah, T. Boyd, and Pap, and the rest of you fellows, you can never know nor guess wlial angry tempests raged around you during those earlier days. Ever blessed be the kind Providence which kept from your ears even the rumors of preparation, else had your young and promising lives been chilled and withered by the frosts of tear. But, to come back to Greek recitation, we were all to cany canes; though not all came to the next recitation provided with that emblem of civilization and refinement, and those who did carry them, hardly stayed long enough in the room to let us know they had them. Though each one was determined to assert his rights, he was remark ably careful in his endeavors to conceal his slick from all eyes. Stern and deep-toned as ever, — and it always sounded as though sonic our had the proverbial frog in his larynx. — came the mandate: LI 78 HISTORY OF THE CLASS OF '74. "Those gentlemen having canes will please leave the room, and having left their canes outside will return, or incur an absent mark." Out the boys noisily went ; and the recitation went on smoothly until Jai was "called up." Do you remember what Jai was in Greek ? Literally to him its ways were dark, and its tricks were vain, and he often pronounced its construction most peculiar. Well, Jai was in the midst of one of his most striking and brilliant displays of oratorical talent, and Billy Sponsler was endeavoring to bring to his aid his wonderful stores of classical erudition, when open was flung the door, and in walked a line of solemn looking individuals headed by Mose, each one carrying an umbrella. Silently they filed to their seats, took them with imperturbable gravity of countenance, and sat with bland- ly innocent faces throughout the hour. The Faculty's words had been interpreted literally, and as no specifications had been made in regard to umbrellas the thing was not looked upon as any infraction of rules, by us at least. What the Faculty thought I have never learned. And don't you remember the Fresh and Soph year rushes out from, and into, Dickinson Hall ? What fun they were ! How we used to get crushed out almost fiat, and laughed at the pain ! What cared we who cried "Fresh !" We enjoyed it and snapped our fingers at sage rebukers. The more disorder marks we got the more we liked it, and the more exciting it was. There wouldn't have been a speck of fun in it had we not seen Prof. C, rod in hand, administering marks innumerable to those luckless enough to have incurred his dis- pleasure. I wonder if Billy Sponsler remembers the day when he was requested, urged, commanded to use the strength contained in that Belviderean form for the purpose of forcing a passage outward, and he got lots of straight marks opposite his name, because it was evi- dent he was trying to keep the door-way blocked. The most remarkable instance of resistance to authority was that of our Port Jervis friend, when he persisted in his right to leave the room after the twelve o'clock bell had rung. It was in Junior year ; the class had been so disorderly as to interrupt the recitation, and the Professor determined to take the time necessary to finish it after twelve o'clock. The fellows, as usual, hallooed "time," but Botsford got mad. He rose to his feet, remarking, "I'm going." " Sit down, sir," said the Professor. "The twelve o'clock bell has rung," from Botsford. " It makes no difference, sir ; sit down." Botsford was making for the door all the while, and was just about retiring from the room when there came the ominous words : "Mr. Botsford, you will appear before the Faculty to-night, and answer tor your conduct." He took the dread summons like a man, acted like a hero for a time, and came out, well — well. The poor unfortunates on the front row couldn't have any part in the liui going on all around. That glorious privilege and high dis- HISTORY OK THE CLASS OK '74. 79 trictive prerogative was reserved for the small boys who took back scats. They could enjoy themselves, we couldn't. They could chewto- bacco, and spit any place they pleased without being told they were in a ] »arlor and it was unseemly to soil the carpet, which etiquette- founded maxim it was Bluch's misfortune to hear every recitation. Then Bluch would act mean and try to blame it on Croco or S. Cooke or O. of that name, who all sat in the rear of him, none of whom ever in- dulged in the use of the narcotic, I think. As to Croco and Orestes I can't state positively ; but Caius never. Why one day when Cam told him his book smelt most horribly of tobacco smoke, Caius indignantly repudiated the assertion, and maligned the olfactories of the aforesaid Professor. There were some of us who never could make a good recitation. Just as we had finished reading the text, and, with the inevitable "please to translate, sir," (sounding more like "may you be swamped,'' than "God speed you,") ringing in your ears, had launched out, think- ing only of safe seas and fair skies ; just as we were under good headway, and steering straight for "one hundred," we avouUI fetch hard up against some ugly black branch of a tough root, or would find a perfect whirlwind of hideous derivations howling about our ears. Or if we had gotten nicely started, the first interruption would be the changing of some word for its synonym which did not express the delicate shade of meaning half as well as our own, we thought ; that bar passed, the next grate on our keel would be, " Take your feet down, sir ;'" or, " Don't spit on the floor ;" or, "Mr. Peckett, I have already given you two disorder marks, and a few more will summon you before the Faculty." And then a visible affection of our facial muscles, caused by a prolonged "p-h-e-w" from Mose. And how often have we (I don't use the pronoun editorially) ; how often have Ave stood up there, after making a blundering recita- tion, with the only word we knew staring us in the face, and expect- ing to bring it out with a vim, and in such a manner as to raise our grade away up, and then hear the dismissal, welco.ne or not, accord- ing to individual taste, "That will do, sir." How scared we Avere when called up ! All frightened out of the little Greek Ave did know. Not all scared, hoAvever, for there were a few choice and splendid beings, Avhom nothing could intimidate ; and if called upon to name these, I would name first of all the Trojan. Do any of you remember the Judge's sallies of Avit '? I really feel sorry for you if you don't. I put some of them on paper; but, alas! they have disappeared like the other unlucky annals of our college career. I put some of his puns and bon mots on paper, I say. I Avanted to study on them. I also desired to transmit them, as a sort of sacred legacy to the class, to be preserved against the time when it might be profi cable for us, as humble men in a different sphere, to recall the youthful gibes and jokes of the great one. I can't bring one of them to mind ; they 80 HISTORY OK THK CLASS OK '74. are irrevocably lost to posterity. They were deep; they would have impressed you even at this length of time, and though deprived of the well-nigh indispensable adjuncts of their surroundings. If I ever find them I will publish them separately, as a splendid addition to any pri- vate library. I don't mean the Judge's alone, though they were vol- uminous enough, but Jim Scarlet's, and T. Boyd's, and Erne Smith's, and Dauerty's — all the sayings of all the brilliant wits Ave were so proud to claim. But it may be as well that Judge's have gone; for, aside from the fact that the unraveling of them would consume more time than could well be taken from the business pursuits which now engross so much of our attention, they lose all their charm when not heard from the lips of the Judge himself. I had once an intention of contrasting Jimmy and the Judge, merely for the sake of showing the fine points of each. Jimmy's jokes were more profound ; Judge had the finer delivery. Jimmy always relieved himself of his pent up wit with bent brows and anxious look, followed by a jovial guffaw, and a self satisfied rub of the hands; on the other hand, Judge's fine, intelligent face would beam with mirth, and his whole bearing would indicate that something funny was com- ing. You know, I had more opportunity to observe Judge closely than some of you had. lie and I were of the unfortunates who took Greek in Junior year, and I spent much time studying the Judge, polling him up. It Avas a good thing he Avas there ; for John lieid will bear me out in saying that Thucydides Avas hard, and Ave wanted something to relieve the monotony. Another splendid luminary Avho lit up the siege of Troy and made brilliant the glories of Athens was George, the politician. Jacobs and Henney did have the aiqfullest time in Greek, not forgetting Herman. There Avere not twenty felloAvs in the Avhole class Avho unitedly dropped so many trans leaA r es on the floor and shuffled around so much to pick them up ; Avho did so much loud Avhispering in the Avay of prompting, and so much low, annoyingly Ioav, talking in the way of continued, uninterrupted conversation, or spirited argument from the beginning of the recitation until its close. Jacobs did not get along so Avell in Greek as he might have done had more opportu- nities been afforded to inveigh against the existing government in America, and to laud the principles and aims of the Democracy. True, Themistocles might have given him a chance in the matter of public corruption, and the character of Dionysius might have furnished a fertile theme on Avhich to base a discussion of the martial laAV ques- tion ; but to Jakey the Greek Avas so enigmatical, so mixed up, that he never could find out rightly what the former did, or what the latter advocated. There Avas no felloAv in the class Avho so persistently lost the place as O. Cook ; no fellow Avho looked so profoundly learned as Ruby ; no fellow Avho Avrote so many notes as the felloAv Avho sent them to Deems, and got mad if they Avere not passed, even Avhen in the Presi- dent's recitation the Doctor got angry at Avhat he considered a Avant of proper attention. HISTORY OF THE CLASS OF '74. 81 I low we used to hate Greek examinations! It was such dry stuff to cram, and the examinations were so awfully long. There was the subject written on the black-board, staring you right in the face as you entered the door, and no matter where you went in the room the white letters frowned at you. And the door was all covered with paper, so a fellow couldn't catch the faintest glimpse of the board. There was no stealing of examination papers here and no getting at the thing in any way. One night before examination a party did enter Dickinson Hall to discover what passage was up for next day. When after an infinite deal of trouble they reached the room they found the black-board a blank, and learned too late that the subject was not written until just before the time for entering the room. Let us see what the instructions used to be : "Translate the passage liter- ally. Parse all the nouns, adjectives, verbs and pronouns ; give the the synonym, and exhaust the derivation of all underscored words ; express the difference between yprj and on, etc., etc. If it wasn't h -■ o r^ +5 .S -— © . '.i sc ~Z - ) if/r „<0 fee iBpq^^pqwwpjMWpqoWHow^^QDiap e O © J ^ : :kSPh : ' if) : if if if ifj o . o o © o .0 I'oo'oo ^ . v so . o o o o p . 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Q : .g ■■ U • c3 ©S |fi 5a if n if ST. © © © o :wn, Wk £ :&Sm©©££££ : £-s £ cs -B.e3.cj-isBBK • b ® « ^ - HOi H-'O rHOO--*.-* CDXHHCOOHCOHaHHrHXXCOH onO'ooowi-HO'onoooot- Cf»0-t<-+lNCO~t»-?00»OW-r" O WrH O rH rH r inoW'rwooowooi «MN CI CI CI CI CI CI CM rH CI CI rH O CI r-i ifincittrtH^ooHWioNfljiia >GC 00 00 00 C ) GO 00 00 O0 00 ) X C* "O O CI (- '-O ?)•* c 3; o « OJ •* t MrHiHdHrHflH rtJlMCl © <0 a e; © " -H . a ^o J ' - _;CHL,^i'^Hip I H S -t:~y- a-^o — ~z— H s to s f g .2 a <= £ ? b a .2 .i Z .2 2 sb o V QJ x u o x .5 L ^ O O ~ w £, — « c >» r% ■ a) ; >sS © ^ SfeSSs gSofl gHSB££* . ? ri S " E =- * = = a 3? ~ 5 c< -. = = © « = 35 3. j; — a 2 72 t» T=. fc» ~1 — h SUMMARY. Geographical Enumeration. Pennsylvania 33 New Jersey ....**•■ 22 New York 1!) Ohio 8 Maryland 4 Michigan 3 Illinois 2 Indiana 2 Kentucky 2 South Carolina 2 California 1 Connecticut 1 New Hampshire 1 Tennessee 1 Virginia 1 Wales 1 103 In 1857 was born 1 Denominational Preferences. Presbyterian 73 Episcopalian 12 Methodist 4 Reformed Presbyterian 3 Lutheran 2 United Presbyterian 1 Congregationalist 1 Baptist 1 Heterodox 6 Grand Total 103 Prospective Occupation. Law 36 Theology 31 Business 7 Medicine 5 Journalism 2 Banking 1 Engineering 1 Dubious 20 Aggregate age, 2.24s ys. 3 mos. 20 d's Average age !$2 yrs. 16 days. Class birthday June 6th, 1852. Aggregate weight 14,086^ lbs. Average weight 138 1-lOth lbs. Aggregate height 57;5 ft. 3^ in. Average height 5 ft. 7* in. In 1855 were " i; In 1854 " " 15 In 1853 " " ?,fi In 1852 " " 17 In 1851 " " . 10 In 1800 " " 10 In 1849 " " 4 In 1848 " " 5 In 1847 " " 3 In 1840 was " 1 1853 In January were born !> In February " " 8 11 In April '• In May " In June " a 4 a a 10 In July " In August " a a In Septemb. " a 8 it 11 In Novemb. " « 10 In Decemb. " •' 10 Favored Months, March and Oct. EX-MEMBERS. Anderson. Kerk. Badeau. Koe. Bennett. Leeds. Blaney. Logan. Bradford. Michael. Carson. Milbukn. Carter. Moore. Chidsey. Osborne. Clark. Rankin. COMEGYS. Robinson. Dampman. SaILMHKY. Dickey. Sayer. Eden. S( ( ITT. Fin lay. Shaw. Form an. II. Simpson. FlUSMUTH. S. Simpson. Gordon. H. Smith. Graham. E. Stewart Hamel. Sutton. HendricksON. Wallace. [rby. 1 AM A DA. 1 KYI NO. Yamaoka.