now just before stepping out from a life so distinct
ly separated from the busy seething vortex of busi
ness life, he casts a retrospective glance over his
college years and feels sad. The true, whole-soul
ed friendship of some student companion will be
lost. The jolly, careless moments of field sports
or recreation hours crowd vividly upon his mem
ory. Perhaps some stronger tie or fonder dream
will end, and she who has given color and bright
ness to so many of his past hours will live only
in pleasant but saddened memory. Thick and
fast comes crowding upon his memory the im
promptu feeds and the jollity connected with
these unpremeditated banquets, the jokes upon
some luckless favorite, the harmless rushes and
class scraps, the quiet initiation ceremonies upon
the verdant Freshmen, and perhaps a vivid recol
lection of when he was a Freshmen himself. And
thus the Senior muses and tinctures with a pleas
ant sadness his triumphant present.
"Throw Physics to the dogs" quoth the philo
sophic junior, and let us hie ourselves to the high
way and by-way in quest of pleasure and enjoy.
ment. And who would blame one for doing other
wise? It is such an evening when study seems a
sin and idleness a virtue. To stay in the hot close
room on such an evening and grind would be
murdering good health, and committing an un
pardonable offence against nature. It is the hour
when all nature seems reluctant to part with the
king of day; and as if to charm his slanting. rays
to halt the whileshe concentrates in one short hour
the enchantments of the day.
The long deep shadows of the stately maples or
the scimeter shaped outline of the evergreens cast
themselve across path and campus. Couples, threes
and fours stroll slowly through the falling shadows,
or lounging lazily around over the campus may
be seen the shirt sleeved or blazered group of stu
dent resting and chatting after the just finished
game of tennis or base-ball.
The long shady avenues begin to dim in the
distance. Here and there a bright speck of light
THE FREE LANCE.
obtrudes its unwelcome glare upon the soft fading
twilight, and slowly and reluctantly, from the dif
ferent points of the compass maid and student
wend their way towards a common centre. Clang
Clang ! Clang I Clang! and with a startled oh
and an affrighted little shriek, the student swain
hears some muttering about the door being locked
at 7:30 and finds himself alone watching the skur
rying maid as she just reaches the cottage door in
the nick of time. He regretfully turns himself
about and directly—"goes to his room and be.
ginsgrinding," some one might say—but no ! hies
himself down to the bakery and indulges his grief
in a Vanilla aid Orange Water Ice.
We were both looking over the late papers and
magazines the other day in one of the Literary
Society's reading rooms. He was an Alumnus
and an old member of one of the societies, and
was with us for a few day's visit.
"Do you know" he remarked, throwing down
his paper, "there is something sadly lacking in
your society now that is painfully apparent to an
old member coming back here and attending the
usual Friday evening meeting ?"
"1 have not noticed anything in particular. In
fact, if anything the societies are doing better
work now than I have ever known them to do,"
I remarked.
"Well, I will acknowledge their performances
are very creditable, and the energy that has been
put forth in fitting up such fine halls is highly com
mendable. But it is not in these things that I no
tice any thing wrong."
That is just it. There seems to be a lack of
the old time cordiality and deference that used to
characterize the Societies. It used to be no mem
ber of a Society would remain seated one moment
if a stranger or a visitor was in the Hall standing.
And then at recess; the cordial handshake and
pleasant attempt to make you feel welcome was
never neglected with any one.
"What is it then ? In the social part?''
To me, much of this old custom has disappear-