Walter Sherwoods Probation | Page 5

a noise of clinking
glasses, and knives and forks came to the front. The banquet had begun.

CHAPTER III
A COLLEGE BANQUET
There was a rattling of knives and forks, a clink of glasses, and a buzz
of conversation. Doctor Mack was able to hear considerable of it. There
were anecdotes of the professors, accounts of narrow escapes from
"flunking" in the recitation-room, and remarks by no means
complimentary to some of the text-books in use in college. It was
evident that the collegians assembled cared more for a good time than
for study. Yet these seemed to be the chosen associates of his ward, the
doctor reflected.
As the feast proceeded, he grew more sober. He felt that college life,
however much it was doing for the faithful students, was only fostering
self-indulgence in his ward.
"Something must be done!" reflected Doctor Mack. "Desperate
diseases require desperate remedies."
Again the chairman rapped for order, and again Walter's voice was
heard.
"Brothers," he said, "the material part of our banquet is ended. We have
gratified our appetites with the savory dishes provided by our friend
Daniels. We have quaffed the rare Falernian wine, of a vintage
unknown to Horace; we have quickened our wits, as I trust, under those
favorable conditions, and the time has now come for the feast of reason
and the flow of soul. Exhausted as we are by our labors in the
classroom"--great laughter--"we have sought refreshment in the way
that is most agreeable. It's a way we have at old Euclid! Sing!"
Immediately the assembled company started up the well-known college
song:
"It's a way we have at old Euclid, It's a way we have at old Euclid, It's a
way we have at old Euclid, To drive dull care away. It's a way we have
at old Euclid, It's a way we have at old Euclid, To drive dull care away.

"And we think it is no sin, sir, To take the Freshmen in, sir, And ease
them of their tin, sir, To drive dull care away. It's a way we have at old
Euclid, It's a way we have at old Euclid, To drive dull care away."
There were other verses, but these will serve as specimens. All joined
in the chorus, and Doctor Mack, who remembered his own college life,
felt almost tempted to add his voice to those of the young men in the
opposite room.
"But, pshaw!" he thought. "What would Walter and his friends think to
hear an old graybeard like me taking part in the convivial songs? There
is no great harm in singing college songs, if it is accompanied by good
work in the recitation-room."
"Brothers," resumed Walter, "we will do our best to drive dull care
away. Let us forget, this happy evening, that there are such things as
logarithms, and sines, and tangents, and Greek tragedies. To-night our
hearts shall be uplifted by sentiment and song. Brother Corbett, you
will oblige us with 'Rumsty Ho!'"
A young man with a pleasant voice sang this song, one unfamiliar to
the doctor:
"A beggar man laid himself down to sleep, Rumsty Ho! rumsty Ho! A
beggar man laid himself down to sleep By the banks of the Mersey, so
high and steep, Rumsty Ho! rumsty Ho!
"Two thieves came walking by that way, Rumsty Ho! rumsty Ho! Two
thieves came walking by that way, And they came to the place where
the old man lay, Rumsty Ho! rumsty Ho!
"They stole his wallet and they stole his staff, Rumsty Ho! rumsty Ho!
They stole his wallet and they stole his staff, And then broke out in a
great horse-laugh, Rumsty Ho! rumsty Ho!"
There was more of this song, too. Next came "Crambambuli," and then
"Cocach-lunk" both of which were familiar to the doctor.

Then Walter said: "Brothers, I have great pleasure in stating that
Professor Griggs has concluded to honor our dinner by his learned
presence, and has consented to address us. Permit me to introduce
Professor Theophilus Griggs."
One of the company had made up as the mathematical professor. In a
nasal tone he made a rambling speech, in which he introduced
mathematical allusions, and used some of the favorite phrases of the
rather dull and prosy instructor, with whom all the students were
familiar, some to their sorrow. It seemed to be very amusing to the
boys present, as shown by their hearty laughter, but of course Doctor
Mack could not appreciate it.
Other songs and other speeches followed. Though for the most part
college songs, there were some of a more serious character. Time
slipped by, and at length Doctor Mack saw by his watch that it was
half-past eleven.
"How long will they keep it up, I wonder?" he asked himself. "I feel
drowsy."
He