who had squandered their all on the fair sex at
the games of the morning. These insolvents
were compelled to feast their eyes on the banana
peels beneath their feet and fain would they have
filled their pockets with the peanut husks which
did drop from the hands of the potentates.
Following this delicious repast was a rush and
a scramble for the Merry-go round, upon which
the more lucred partook of a little light exercise
in the shape of a one mile ride. Would that I had
the pen ofa Herculese with which to depict one of
those fantastic twirls. The rush of air, the wild.re
veels of the hand organ, the prancing steeds, the
gaze of lovers quickly flitting by, all combine to
fill one with dreams of intoxication, all to be brok
en toos oon by the unmusical tones of "Tickets."
A WILD STAMPEDE
The afternoon was 'een now half spent. The
seeker's of pleasure had become weary of the
monotony which seemed to have settled upon
everything, even the walking match and "the
Black Coon," when suddenly all were horrified at
the wild shriek of human voices in distress. Pierc
ing cries of children, mingled with hoarse groans
of men, rent the air. A blood curdling tragedy
had taken place. "Sport" Haas has eloped with
the plaster of paris pig" they cried. The report soon
gained credence. Crowds of his admirers organ
ized themselves into searching parties and with
unwearied steps traced the foot paths in every di•
rection. At length the air resounded with a
chorus of voices, shouting in wild ecstacy, "Eure
ka, Eureka." He had been tired and lain down
to sleep and was now dreaming sweet "Visior.s
of Rest."
THE SHADES OF NIGHT
were falling fast, owing to which your special
correspondent was unable to trace longer the
scene of carnage. A few minutes later I stood
upon the rear platform of the homeward bound
train. Two wild shrieks from the monster engine's
ferric throat mingled with the liquid tones of its
brazen bell broke upon the evening breeze. A
THE FREE LANCE.
moment later and we are rounding the bend which
is to hide us perhaps forever from the memorable
fakir's eden. I dreamingly gazed into space
above me and lo the "orb of night" is majestic
ally rising over the famous scene and in that bath
of moulten silver I discern with pride the forms
of those "fair women and brave men" with whom
I spent those recent hours.
On we sped into the inky night, o'er hill and
dale, past deserted moor and twinkling villa.
"Lemont" cried the official dignitary. I de
scended 'the coach steps midst a throng of excited
pleasure seekers. With difficulty I secured for
myself a second class seat on the buss for P. S. C.
Scarcely had I seated myself upon the uncertain
vehicle, at best, when a loud shout from within
so terrified the beasts of transit that they actually
moved. On we rushed into the encircling gloom.
Each moment added new horrors, the wild
shrieks of the excited passengers, the rapid clatter
of the animals' hoof upon the smooth beaten pike,
the cry of distress that arose from the frightened
coachman as his bicepts of iron failed to check
the frightful speed. With thundering pace we
approached the villlage. Slowly these heart
rending noises died away in the distance. Sud
denly I was awakened from my reverie by the
hoarse command of "fares." I gazed about me
—all was deserted. Was I too late ? Stealthily
I slid toward the door. Alas too late. I had to
pay my fare. Dejectedly I stepped upon terra
firma and would have puffed one of Yoners Tobies
but alas how forcibly I was brought to a realization
of that ancient Proverb "The fool and his money
are soon parted." I was "dead broken."
The University of Michigan has issued a new
calendar showing a total attendance of 2420 stu
dents. The annual rate of increase in the num
ber of students during the first three years has
averaged thirteen per cent. The faculty now
number 133, an increase of seventeen since last
year. 14 000 copies of the calendar are issued.
Q. E. D.