The Skeleton Crew; Or, Wildfire Ned — page 102: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

96 THE SKELETON CREW; OR, WILDFIRE NED. “The young ladies themselves were oftentimes at loggerheads to see who should advance fastest in his good graces. “ Ag there were several female seminaries within a few miles of town, intercourse was frequent at the houses of mutual friends or relatives. “Many young mer attending the University had sisters at a2 magnificent seminary but two miles from town. “And as the yearly gymnastic exercises of our college were about to commence, evening drill was often patronized by the fair, so that the University grounds presented a gay and animating appearance during the beautiful evenings of May and June. “Templeton had been elected chief of the gym- nasts this year, and in his blue uniform, faced with red and gold, wresented a fine appearance ; so that there was more than one pair of eyes among the ladies who watched his movements with interest. “At the eod of gymnastic drill, which had been witnessed and much applauded by the fair, an old gentleman advanced to Templeton, and presented a bouquet. “This was nothing unusual, for the ladies scemed to take delight in pelting floxers at us as we filed past them. But, as he took the nosegay from the old man, Templeton perceived a young girl laughing and blushing among a knot of her school-mates, who were apparently joking her. “¢T never saw her before ; she is very pretty, I will make her acquaintance if I break my neck over it,’ thought Tom. “Templeton went into town that evening, and returned to his rooms very late. ‘He was musing in his chair at the window, gazing at the moon, and puffing out volumes of cigar smoke, ; “In a week the gay fellow seemed to have changed his nature, “ He was thoughtful, absent in manner, and seldom touched his books, “Instead of trespassing upon the privacy of the president’s gardens at evening, he was often found strumming a guitar, and singing snatches from various operas, “Months passed away, and none could account for his change of manner. “We was thin, pale, thoughtful, soft in voice and manner, and juniors whispered one to another that he was ‘heavily in debt ;’ ‘the uncle refused to come up.’ “ Others, rather lazy students themselves, would sigh, and say, ‘Just as I told you; now you see the effect of “ Nights with Homer and Demosthenes !” he is in a galloping consumption “The lodge-keeper, that terrible portly official with the clanking keys, who frowned on little boys, and slammed the gates with a triumphant bang of self-importance ; that awful, lace-trimmed gentle- man, and bottomless depository of college secrets, said nothing, but sighed heavily, stroked his red nose ominously, and remarked— “*Some folks is wise, and some isn’t. I hasn’t been here a matter of more nor forty year without knowing that much ; and if you’re well up in your Greek you'll know better nor I can tell yer, »erbum sap., 48 Homer wery nicely remarks.’ “And with that, went into his lodge, closed the door, and smoked his pipe. “It must be confessed Z did wish to know what the matter was with Tom, “He had always befriended me since entering college, and usually informed me of all his affairs, “But during the past few months his conduct had been so much unlike his former self that I felt effended and annoyed. | ““*Tf you are hard pushed, Tom,’ said J, ‘and your uncle refuses, why not tell me? I can settle all that without so much melancholy and solitude,’ “T could glean nothing. ‘“«* Phil, my boy,’ said he, laying his hand on my shoulder, ‘you are gold—true gold, but—there is nothing the matter with me, Ican assure you; I am only studying lard for my degree—examinations come off in another month, and then I leave these old walls for ever.’ “<Templeton has passed!’ said all the juniors, as Tom solemnly strode through the crowd towards his rooms. ““* How much for your parchment, Templeton ?? “ «Did they bother you, my boy ?’ “*T hope you floored Old Snuffy,’ said one or another of the students. “But Tom, the subject of all these remarks, con- gratulations, and the like, bowed politely to his schoolmates, and went up to his rooms. “<7 leave to-morrow, Phil,’ said he, as I shook him by the hand ; ‘my books are all at your service, iny boy ; you’ll have to pass through the same un- pleasant ordeal yourseif next year. If you find any use for them, I give them with much pleasure. There are no “crammers” or “coaches” among them ; I despise all that sort of thing as much as you do,’ ‘““¢But why Jook so sad, Tom? Confound it, man! cheer up! there are scores within the walls this moment, who would willingly give thousands for your prizes and parchments. How delighted your uncle will be!’ said I. “ There was no response. “He relapsed into his customary silence-and thoughtfulness, and although we both drank heavily that night, not a word escaped him in his cups. “Next day, towards evening, we drove together towards the coaching station, and when on the top of a hill about a mile from the University buildings, he stopped the vehicle and looked towards them in silence and with evident emotion, “How beautifully the sun sets in the west, and how charming the old grounds look bathed in sun- light. See how the steeple casts its shadows across the grand walks, and how the clock-tower and weather-vane glow again with changing light! I never loved but once, Phil, and that was once too often for my own peace through life, yet the me- mories of Alma Mater, with its dingy walls, old towers, and chiming bells, unmans me more than all things else in the world !? GIVEN AWwayvt?: SCENES, SHEETS OF CHARACTERS, AND A - LARGE STAGE FRONT FOR A NEW PLAY, CALLED : “ALONE IN THE PIRATES’ LAIR.” READ THE “BOYS OF ENGLAND,” AND SECURE THE ABOVE MAGNIFICENT GIFTS. ONE PENNY WEEKLY, 24 JA 67 Madniihiiehiere) Gomichbookszeom