THE VINDICATION OF THE PREX
the gamut of our deviltry yet. Besides, if we can’t do anything
unusual, we can at least keep up some old prank.”
‘ ‘ Well, didn’t we turn a pig loose in ‘ ‘Reddy’ ’ Thompson’s room
when we were Preps? And didn’t we drop two dust-boxes full of
stones down the well during a lecture in the' chapel ? And how
about the bucket of water we tied above “ Chappie ” Farnsworth’s
door, so that it would irrigate him the moment he entered? And
who was responsible for the painting of the sidewalks and the
Armory last Fall but ourselves? And yet you aren’t satisfied.
Come to think of it, it’s no wonder you want to preserve the
reputation weve gained.”
“Exactly,” said the other. “ We’ve always been warm mem
bers, but we’ve yet to make our coup de grace. ’ ’
While they were talking, the first strokes of the seven o’clock
bell pealed out from tower, resonant, vibrant, clear, on the puls
ing air. As the last echoes faded rapidly into the gathering twi
light the Optimist raised himself suddenly on his elbow and;
clutched his companion eagerly by the arm.
“I’ve got it,” he said, exultantly.
“ What —snakes?” said the Pessimist.
“ No, you freak.” And he dealt the offender a conciliatory
blow in the small of the back. “Be sensible for once. My
scheme is this,” continued the Optimist. “We must steal the
bell clapper.”
The Pessimist looked askance at his friend and laughed
nervously.
“That’s as old as Methuselah—that trick,” he said.
“ But we haven’t done it yet,” argued the Optimist. “That’s
motive number one. And if we don’t, the Freshies will. That’s
number two. ’ ’
“ I give in,” said the Pessimist. “ But,” he added, “ isn’t it
a rather risky job ? You know how Benny and some of the rest
of the Profs go prowling ’round after dark. The least noise
would bring them up-stairs on the jump.”
“ We’ll be prepared for any such emergency,” said the Optim
ist. 1 ‘ A bucketful of water generously diluted with a few bars of
India ink and a bag of fine dirt and sand is all that will be nec
cesary for any Prof. It will teach a few of those rubber-necks a
lesson.” Which, although not just the most elegant expression,
was characteristic of a Sophomore.