Shippensburg University - Cumberland Yearbook (Shippensburg, PA)

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Go in Sparrow and see the poor fellow. You're a medical. Maybe you can help him, said Jackson. Sparrow declined emphatically. Fellows, come to my room and we'll hold a meeting to decide what course to adopt, said Jackson. About fifteen boys were soon in the room. Barker was elected chair- man. Speeches were made denouncing the college authorities, especially Palgrave, for permitting a case of smallpox to be brought into the build- ing. One of the boys suggested that a committee be appointed to wait upon Palgrave at once and ascertain how he proposed protecting the stu- dents. This could be done at once as Dr. Flasher was still at Palgrave's house at the edge of the campus, consulting with the registrar. jackson and Herman were designated a committee to perform this duty. They went innnediately and in the course of ten minutes returned to report that tl1e registrar had insulted them, had told them to mind their own business, had suggested that he could run the institution without help or advice from them. When this report was submitted Sparrow's wrath was aroused, he sprang up and said: I say fellows, I don't propose to have a registrar or anybody else walk over me. Here's old Palgrave allowed a measly old, hobo to be brought into the college. The bun1's got smallpox and the lives of all the fellows are endangered. When we send a committee to consult Pally, he gets hot and insults us. I for one favor taking such ac- tion as will show old Pally and the faculty of this institution that they can't run us like a kintergarden. Shouts of approval greeted this speech, and Barker gravely said, The best way to manifest our disapproval, is for us all to leave this old place at the earliest opportunity. I intend to begin packing my trunks at once and I shall leave on the iirst morning train, even if it is Sunday. This statement met a ready assent from a number of others, who hur- ried to their rooms and made show of packing trunks. Sparrow turned toward his own room, but as he reached the door there came the sound of the sick tran1p's voice calling piteously for whiskey. With a shudder the junior turned from his room and Walked down to Barker's room. Say, Barker, it's fifteen miles out to my home, and the roads are in awful shape, but ifl could find a darkey to drive the team back, I'll be hanged if I wouldn't hire one at the livery and drive out to my home yet before morning. I'd show the old shooting match here what I think of its policy in organizing a tramp hospital. Barker sprang up, First rate, old fellow. You've got the true spirit

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ministerials were down the railroad for a walk after supper. They stumbled over a sick hobo down there. and as they were afraid he'd freeze to death if they left him, they brought him up here, put him into that vacant dormy next yours, and sent for a doctor. Old Doc. Flasher has been out and now he's over talking with old Pally about the case. What the deuce did Curt bring the bum in for? I don't want a sick hobo near my dormy. What's ailing him anyhow, exclaimed the now angry Sparrow. ' Barker lowered his voice and replied. Why Doc. Flasher told the fellows to stay away from the room and keep mum about it, for the hobo had a bad case of smallpox. h ' Sparrow said some things that are unprintable when he heard this, but Barker only replied, Well you won't make it any better by swearing about it. Come up here, the fellows are going to hold an indignation meeting. Sparrow started toward the main entrance. Barker sprang away from the window, ran out of his room to Jacksons exclaiming, Say, fellows, I worked it on Sparrow, that there's a sick- We heard what you told him. We're with you, replied one of the party. Then youngsters, scatter, nab all the fellows you can, put them on to it, and one of you keep Sparrow entertained on third while I get the sick bum ready in that vacant dormy. The boys did as desired, while Barker dashed into one of the dorm- itories where his chum, Watson, lay fast asleep. Without delay he grab- bed the sleeper in his arms, giving him a shake. Watson opened his eyes in amazement. Say, Watsy, dearest, you've got to play sick hobo for Sparrow's entertainment in the dormy next his. You 've got'smallpox--got it bad. You're ravin' in delirium, callin' for whiskey you know? It tookrather more than a minute to explain matters to the satisfaction of Watson and then he entered the vacant dormitory, threw himself upon the cot and began to groan and talk incoherently. Capital, exclaimed his churn, give us a good blast when you hear Sparrow in the hall. One of the boys had met Sparrow on the third floor and engaged him in conversation. A number had been aroused and let into the secret, and all were venting their well simulated indignation upon Palgrave, the reg- istrar, and upon Curtis and Howard for bringing the tramp into the building. Sparrow accompanied by seven or eight others now came up to the fourth floor,-and sure enough from the dormitory next Sparrow's there came moans and incoherent mutterings. . , ,- . . , ..., . - 'f We 'sz 1 ' 5 45295, . . ,, . , t-iiv 'i-rl. . W-. i - fu. + 'K' Ji

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of American Independence. I'll help you all I can. We'll go with you to ring up old Barkis and get one of his best teams. We'll rouse up old jim Kasson and get one of his kids to go with you. Give the kid a half dollar and he'll jump at the chance. The news soon spread that Sparrow was going to leave, and he was surrounded with a crowd of seemingly admiring friends. who congratula- ted him upon his spirit. By to-morrow evening the building will be emptied, except for old Pally and the hobo. Imagine the way old Pally will growl, exclaimed jackson. Barker and Sparrow, with two or three others hurried forth. Black jim Kasson was aroused and one of his boys hired. The hostler at the livery stable of Barkis 8z Co.'s finally appeared and a horse and buggy were secured. Good-byes were said and Sparrow with his small dusky companion began their long drive. - The clock was striking three when Barker and his comrades re-entered the college. Among the number awaiting them was Watson., Barker rushed to him and throwing his arms around him, exclaimed, Oh my dear hobo! what a quick recovery! almost miraculous. Rejoice, fellows, the smallpox is a thing of the past and Sparrow has gone to his home- to his home. Rejoice, fellow citizens and patriots of Thornhill, and Barker and Watson executed a war dance. The next morning the affair was noised about the town and everybody was laughing at the practical joke, but reports began to be noised abroad from the country regions that smallpox had broken out in the town and college. In some way even Sparrow learned by Monday that he had been tricked. A 'few days later he returned to college, a very quiet and modest young man. But alas for his hope that he would live the joke down: Winfield Hancock Sparrow exists only in the catalogue. To the college community he is only Smallpox and The Hobo.