254 COLLE(.E RECOLLECTIONS. 



ful or enlertaiiiing. We will select one out of many on account of its 

 singularity, and because it was productive of no serious injury, except 

 to the parties engaged. There were two young men, unlike in other re- 

 spects, but agreeing in this, that they were much annoyed by the bell 

 which rang them out of bed at an hour in the morning most delightful 

 for repose. How to interrupt the everlasting ding-dong over their heads, 

 they knew not. The bell was in the belfry which formed the cupola 

 on the College. The entrance to the belfry was practicable through two 

 doors at the opposite ends of the College, one of which was never un- 

 locked, and the key to the other was safely guarded by the faithful jan- 

 itor. The chums often speculated upon the feasibility of an attempt on 

 the bell, but all their speculations resulted in nothing. At one time, 

 they thought of daring an ascent over the eves of the roof, as they lodg- 

 ed on the fourth story. At another they proposed to enter the attic 

 whilst the janitor was ringing the last evening bell, and then effect their 

 purpose at leisure. But two obstacles were in the way : first they would 

 be locked in for the night and their escape would be doubtful until the 

 next evening, and they prided themselves much in not being detected — 

 secondly, they were too conscientious to do injury to the building which 

 did not belong to them. They resolved not to attempt any thing unless 

 it could be done without injuring any one in person, or property, or re- 

 putation ; for, whilst they loved a joke, they could not enjoy one at the 

 expense of their neighbors. Besides, the beauty of the whole enter- 

 prize depended upon the accomplishment of it without detection. After 

 deliberating a long time, at length L. said to P., '^I have it— we, will slop 

 that bell this very night, and in the morning we will have a long snooze." 

 "How will you accomplish your purpose ?" responded P. ''When 

 Kooney (the janitor) rings the first bell in the evening he leaves the 

 keys in the door and goes down stairs. Whilst he is gone, I will take 

 the keys and unlock the door on the opposite side, and to-night we will 

 turn up the bell and fill it with water, which, at this season, (January,) 

 will freeze into thick ice, and to-morrow the bell will swing but not 

 sound." "Capital!" exclaimed P. "Kooney will think the bell is be- 

 witched !" According to this arrangement the door was unlocked, and 

 the key, unobserved, replaced. About 12 midnight, the two chums gro- 

 ped their way through the College garret, thumping their heads against 

 the rafters ever and anon, until they discovered the stairs leading to the 

 cupola. After they had made every thing safe, they turned up the bell, 

 and after propping, filled it with water, and then silently retired to their 

 room, chuckling at the idea of the long morning's sleep. Vain expec- 

 tation ! indulged only to disappoint. The morning came, and with it 



