The Mercury - December 1897 ; Gettysburg College Mercury; College Mercury; Mercury
4$ IA iramSirimiSiiimiminiimi., _ _j&. ,' It > :i!3 ft :«- THE -:- Gettysburg mERCURY. DEGEmBEH, 1897. CONTENTS: The Schmucker Statue, Dr. P. Anstadt 35 The recent Tour of Duty at Hazleton, Capt. F. M. Olt,. 38 Reverie, ] 4° Emperor Conrad and the Weinsbergers, Rev. George Conrad Henry, 47 Our Unknown Dead, 51 The Ghosts' Christmas Gift, 51 Chrysanthemums, 56 A College Song 58 Deed of a Stormy Night, 58 The Influence of Happy Thought, 59 Life's Duty 6T The Game at Philadelphia, 62 Editor's Desk 64 Our Exchange Table 66 Sense and Nonsense 67 ■■■M.M.M.,.M.1,.,Mt,.,.nM,ULLUi m-rriTTTrrixTrirxxiimilituUi "■ 0. MILLER, PRIN' G6TTVSBURQ. HH FAVOR THOSE WHO FAVOR IIS. J. R. STINE & SON, debts' ••• pur^is^er, CHAMBERSBURG ST. C B. KITZMILLER, —DEALER IN- (lag, dapg, Boof$ and pljoeg, GETTYSBURG, PA. Reafly for Fall an! Winter. Suits to Order—Prices $12.00 to $35.00; Trousers, $2.50 to $9.00 ALL KINDS OF REPAIRING DONE-All the new effects in Check and Over Plaids you will find at THE LEADING TAILOR, CLOTHIER AND GENTS' FURNISHER, I U Mm llBalt0-st- J 1 f I 1 JTI J V I O, Gettysburg, Pa. S. B. ALCOTT~ —AGENT FOR— Browning King & Co., Merchant Tailor, New York. Suits $12.00 up, Overcoats $12.00 up, Pauts$4.oo. Fit and workmanship guaranteed. R. A. WONDERS' Corner Ci£ar Parlors, A FULL LINE OF Cigars, Tobacco, Pipes, &c. Scott's Cor. Opp. Eagle Hotel, Gettysburg EPH. H. MINNIGH, Manufacturer, Wholesale »nd Retail 'Dealer in Confectionery and Ice Cream, Oysters in Season. News Depot & Subscription Agency, MAIN ST., GETTYSBURG, PA Sole Mannf'r of Dr. Tyler's Cough Drops SAMUEL FABER7 FINE CIGARS AND SMOKER'S ARTICLE. Chambersburg St., GETTYSBURG, JOHN JK. WWW CONFECTIONERY AND ICE CREAM, OYSTERS STEWED AND PRtED. No: 17, BALTIMORE STREET. COLLEGE OK PWskians § Sur^ons, BALTIMORE, M». The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Baltimore, Maryland, is a well equipped school. Four ses-sions are required for graduation. For full information send for the annual catalogue, or write to THOMAS OPIE, M. D., Dean. Cor. Calvert and Saratoga Sts. The Ijett^bitfg NJei'cu^, Entered at the Post Office at Gettysburg as second-class matter. VOL. V. GETTYSBURG, PA.; DECEMBER, 1897. No. 8. STAFF EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, W. H. Bruce Carney, '99 BUSINESS MANAGER, ALUMNI EDITOR, Rev. F. D. Garland ASSISTANT EDITORS, Steward W. Herman, 99. /y^/ /'^^/y^*0' Robert W. Woods,' THE GETTYSBURG MERCURY. 49 the hand, threw herself at his feet. "Your Majesty," she cried, "must our innocent children suffer?" The Emperor started ; he looked at the white-headed boy who was greedily chewing a crust. He went back to his own childhood and remembered hearing his mother telling him to be kind and merciful—and then, he thought of Christmas. "Peace upon earth !" The angels had sung, and now he was about to kill children for whom the Saviour had come to earth as for him, the haughty com-mander. His face assumed a gentler look and he turned towards the woman. All women and maidens, with the little children may leave the city ! I will give you your lives ! If any of you have anything which is dear to you, you are hereby per-mitted to carry away as much as you can load on your backs. Everything else belongs to me ! Your men must die!" The little band drew back into the devoted town. They were thankful, in a measure, for the graciousness of their Conqueror. But the noble women of the city were deeply moved at the expected fate of their husbands, brothers and sons, and mourned bitterly on that night of the twentieth of December. The Emperor slept soundly. He flattered himself on his clemency in sparing women and children; on the poor men he never bestowed a thought. * * * * "Your Majesty," called one of his pages, "come here quickly! The Weinsberg women are playing a huge trick on you !" It was dawn of the twenty-first of December. Out of the gate came a wonderful procession. All the noble women of the little city were panting under a heavy bur-den, and the knees of some of them seemed breaking, for each woman was carrying her husband on her back ! As the astonished commander beheld the strange sight he realized how adroitly these women had tricked him ; but his nobles and pages cried, "All must die now, women, children and men, for so deceiving the Emporer !" The women advanced and threw themselves at his feet. "Your Majesty told us that we might take our best 50 THE GETTYSBURG MERCURY. and dearest possession. What better than our husbands, who protect us and our children ?" As the Emperor was thoughtfully stroking his long beard, as the women and children stood around weeping, as the men, one by one, descended to the ground, the bells on the city church towers began to play, for the Christmas week had begun, when every morning it was the custom of the children to go to the church and sing sweet carols. The old bell-ringer who had no faithful wife to carry him, and to whom death was a welcome guest, was performing his duty as on other joyous occasions. The soldiers scarcely heard the bells for they were vehemently urging the Emperor to punish the women. But Conrad was hearing the bells, and merrily they chim-ed, "Peace upon earth to men of good will." He called aloud, "An Emperor's word shall not be broken!" The wild faces of his soldiers fell. "I promised these women that they might carry their dearest possessions out of the city! They have so done ! Let them go in peace." And so it came to pass ; and as you stand to-day among the ruins of the old city, the Castle Weibertreme (faithfulness of women) tells its own pathetic story. Three days after, on Christmas Eve, as Emperor Con-rad heard his father confessor read the Gospel for the day, his heart was full of joy ; while the Weinsbergers in the neighboring hamlets recalled the merciful kindness of the stern soldier with heartfelt gratitude. Over seven hundred and fifty years have fled since the Emperor laid down his weary head, but he is not for-gotten ; not because he was Emperor—for these are for-gotten— bul because for the sake of the Chist-child he showed kindness to his enemies. Shippensburg, Pa. THE GETTYSBURG MERCURY. 51 OUR UNKNOWN DEAD. The sons of freedom, brave and strong, Defended liberty's fair name, When she by an accursed wrong Was threatened with disgrace and shame. The brows of some are laurel crowned, Their praises rise from every tongue ; But others perished unrenowned, And seldom are their glories sung. No statues stand to mark their graves, In memory of their bravery shown Against the surging battle waves ;— In narrow rows they sleep unknown. Stay, friend, step not upon the mound, Though small may be the marking stone ; For just as hallowed is the ground, Though epitaphs are but "Unknown." Nor pass their resting places by Like careless ships on waveless seas ; No gift is dearer than to die, No champions braver than were these. And when upon the mounds you strew Sweet flowers, like precious seed well sown ; Perchance a mother blesses you, Whose son is sleeping, still unknown. . J- N. K. H., '99. THE GHOSTS' CHRISTMAS GIFT. The sun was shining brightly in the little village of Clarksburg, one beautiful December day. People hurried along the streets, full of the bustle and joy of the Christ-mas- tide, and showed by their merry greetings and glad faces that the Day of days was near. From one well-known face, however, the universal joy was not reflected. Tom Wilson, usually the gayest of the gay, was sad and depressed. He had been out of work for a long time, and had awakened that morning to the fact that in two days' time Christmas would be here, and he was penniless. His youngest son had torn his father-heart by asking over his breakfast of bread and molasses, "Wot yo' gwine ter give me fo' a Chrismus SSI8E BwKW 52 THE GETTYSBURG MERCURY. gif ?"; while the oldest one added, "Will yo' bring de tukey home ter-day fo' us ter git acquainted wif, like yo' use ter?" Tom had not answered, and the mother, eager to save him further pain, said sharply, "Hyar, yo' chilluns, eat yore breakfus ! Cayn't yo' see yore pa doant want ter be pestered ?'" And the meal was concluded in silence, after which the little black people slunk off to school. " 'Taint no use, Sallie," said Tom, after they had gone, "dey'll hev to go 'thout Chrismus disyear." But Sallie laid her hands on his arm and said rather timidly, "Chrismus '11 be hyar jes' de same, Tom, 'thout gif's, ef we wants ter hev it." Then forcing herself to be hopeful she added brightly, "But I doant b'lieve yore bad luck's gwine ter hoi' ; yo' go down street an' try yore nan' fer a job." Tom rose wearily, " 'Taint no use," he muttered again ; but he went down street. Judge Oliver was just coming out of his office as Tom passed. Tom was a prime favorite with the Judge, and as the latter caught sight of the woe-begone face he called, "Stop a moment, Tom, I want to speak to you." Tom turned listlessly. "Why in the world are you carrying about a. face like a tombstone? Are you in trouble, and can 1 help you out?" questioned the Judge. "No, yore honor, thank yo'," said Tom with studied indifference. The Judge gave him a keen glance. He knew how different Tom was from his fellows, how proud and sensitive; so, thinking to change the subject, he said carelessly, "Have you captured your Christmas turkey yet?" Tom winced so perceptibly that the Judge under-stood ; but he gave no sign as Tom answered with diffi-culty, "No, yore honor, we done sort o' got tired o' tukey an' won't hev none dis year." "Well, go along, Tom, I have a case to look up. By the way, I'm coming to hear you debate to-night,—you're on, aren't you?" THE GETTYSBURG MERCURY. 53 Tom hesitated. "Y-a-s, your honor,—least ways I war; but I's jes gwiue ter tell Jim ter get somebody else. I ain't up ter snuff fo' dat sort o' thing ter-day." "Oh! come now," exclaimed Judge Oliver, really con-cerned, "I have invited some of my guests to accompany me to that debate especially to hear you. There is no one who can take your place" (Tom bowed and scraped, pleased in spite of his deep dejection), "and you, even you, can't win that debate for your side, I'll bet!" Tom's face said, "Just try me," and to the Judge's keen eyes it proved an inspiration. "Here, Tom," he said, "I'll bet you a Christmas dinner that you don't win !" "Done !" cried Tom, slapping his knee, while his face shone as if illumined by a sun-burst, "yo're a goner, Jedge; 111 get dat dinner, shore !" They both laughed as they went their separate ways, and Tom chuckled glee-fully, "Yo'll git you tukey, chilluns, fo' dey ain't but one way dat queshion kin come out! An' I didn't beg !" he added proudly. That night, much to Sallie's surprise, he went to the meeting of the Debating Society. The Evergreen Debating Society was an acknowl-edged feature in the life of Clarksburg. How it came to be so could never be accurately determined. Whether it had been born of Tom Wilson's overmastering love of argument, or of some one's else devotion to the church, or "whether its organization had been instigated by the law-yers of the town, who were its unfailing and delighted supporters, no one was willing,—perhaps able,—to testify. Whatever its origin, its right to existence was as unques-tioned as was that of Clarksburg's most honored citizen. Once in two weeks a debate was given before the pub-lic. Tom was always present, alive with keenest interest ; the ten-cent admission fees were received at the door as long as there was standing room inside, and afterward were faithfully turnedovertoZion's A.M. E. church which provided the room for the meeting ; and the front bench was never without representatives of the legal profession 54 THE GETTYSBURG MERCURY. who well knew they could give their friends and them-selves no better entertainment than an evening with the Evergreen. On these memorable occasions, the basemmt of the African church presented a sight which was imposing or ludicrous, according to the standpoint from which it was viewed. The long, low room was lighted on either side by lamps which were usually kept clean and bright; on the platform where the debate took place, the judges chairs were arranged with a precision which argued well for the fairness of the decision which their always grave, often pompous looking, occupants would render. Just below them, in the foremost ranks, were the seats reserved for "de white frien's"; while beyond these to the door, on seats and in the aisle, swarmed the belles and beaux of colored circles, old "Aunties" and "Uncles" who could not miss "de chillun's fun", with here and there a child which some unusually anxious mother could not bring herself to leave at home. The debate on the evening of which this story treats was one of vital interest to the negro element of the com-munity, and, consequently, offered more than ordinary attraction to the patrons for whom the front seats were reserved. Even the lamps seemed to be affected by the weirdness of the subject, "Ghost or No Ghosts ?" for they were smoky and dim. They seemed to say, by the dubious, questioning light which they gave forth, "We fully realize the momentousness of the question to be did cussed, and would consider ourselves personally respon-sible if, by shining out bright and clear, we unduly influenced the decision." Tom Wilson was wild with excitement. The hope of the dinner inspired him to a brilliant effort. He dashed into his argument, carrying his audience with him, until as he neared his conclusion, cold shivers were capering up and down the backs of his hearers, breaths were drawn in quick gasps, and when, just then, a door banged shut and some one exclaimed in abject fear, "Lawd a-massy !' the terror of the audience was complete, and the reality of THE GETTYSBURG MERCURY. 55 ghosts seemed established beyond the peradventure of a doubt. But alas for Tom! He was followed by a dapper little mulatto who argued so glibly, "from de stan' point ob scientificness," against the possibility of seeing ghosts, that the black eyes of the audience which, during Tom's speech, had been surrounded by ever-increasing rings of terrified white, gradully resumed their normal appear-ance, and their owners began to think that they might venture to pass the graveyard at night, some time, the braver ones even going so far as to think that perhaps they might try it that night. When the decision was rendered, it was overwhelm-ingly against the poor ghosts ; whereupon Tom sprang to his feet, and, bowing to the judges and then to the aud-ience, he turned again to the former and said, "With deepest respec' fo' yore corporosity ez jedges, I wants ter put dis queshion ter a risin' vote." The judges gave the desired permission, and Tom turned to the audience, saying, "All dose in dis hyar room wot b'lieves dey is no ghoses, rise to der feet." Those of the audience who had been most impressed by Mr. Perkins' profound argument started to rise ; but, seeing that "de white folk" on the front benches remained seated, they subsided into their seats again. Tom waited several impressive moments, and then he called, in a voice which rang out like a clarion, "Now, all dose wot b'lieves dey is ghoses, rise to der feet!" Instantly Judge Oliver and his friends sprang up, and their example was followed by the entire audience. Tom's grin showed all his white teeth. "I's glad ter see yo' all has de courage o' yore evic-tions." he said. "I 'llowed dat de ghoses in Pennsylvany couldn't be so mighty diffunt f'om ghoses in Virginy, an' I knows dey's ghoses down dar; least ways, ef I hasn't seen 'em I's heerd 'em!" And Tom retired amid a thun-dering burst of applause. As the audience filed out, one old Uncle said to another, "Wall, Rastus, wot yo' tink now ? It sutteny am mighty 56 THE GETTYSBURG MERCURY. quar how dese niggahs kin mak a pussen tink one ting one time an' anudder anudder.'' But Rastus only shook his head with a movement which Pete took for unqualified assent to his remark, but which Judge Oliver, who saw it, understood to mean an unalterable opinion on this subject. With a laugh he turned to the friend next him, and, pointing to Uncle Rastus, interpreted the expression of his face in the words of Edward Lear, "I think so then, and I thought so still.'" To Tom he whispered as he passed him, "I'll send the din-ner to-morrow so that Sallie Can cook it next day." Early on Christmas morning Tom shouted, "Hi! chil-luns, wek up ! It's Christmus !" Little Tom opened his eyes and stared stupidly ; but Pete only closed his more tightly as he muttered, " 'Taint no Chrismus 'thout Chrismus gif's." "Come on, an' see wot Santy Claus brung yer," in-sisted Tom in a voice so peculiar that the boys obeyed in spite of themselves. And lo! a vision of candy and oranges and toys greeted them such as their young eyes had never before beheld. In a single bound Pete seized a horn and began to blow it, while his brother approached more slowly and touched a tin soldier with one small black finger. Their father, delighted, stole softly down stairs. It was not until they were seated around the bounti-fully spread dinner-table that Pete found time to ask : "Who gev us these hyar Christmus gif's, ennyway?" Tom laughed ; then he said solemnly, "Dis dinner an' yore Chrismus gif's, chilluns, is a present f'om my 'steemed frien's, de ghoses ob Virginy." JAY SWEET. CHRYSANTHEMUMS. Just now, when the whole world seems dark and dreary, these lovely flowers come, to brighten with their cheery presence the last hours of the dying year. Everywhere is bleakness and desolation. Long ago the roses died, and were buried with the pride and beauty THE GETTYSBURG MERCURY. 57 of the lost summer ; the last leaf has fluttered away from the forest trees and found a grave with the flowers ; not a vestige remains of all the glory and grandeur of the Autumn time. And so we look around and say "Not one bit of beauty or brightness is left", and we mourn for the dear, dead flowers. But what is this ! Has Summer in her hasty flight for-gotten some of her treasures ? Has Autumn relented and spared to us a tiny part o'f her wealth and beauty ? For everywhere are masses of brilliant bloom, great clusters of many colored flowers. We look out upon the wonderful transformation. In the garden, where so lately all was bleak and barren, the blossoms peep forth, timidly at first, then bolder, until the pretty heads are brightening and smiling everywhere. How lovely they are! From, the great flower of purest white, with its snowy, curling petals to the tiny, golden bud, all are lovely. They are brave blossoms, too, and do not seem to mind the chill nights and. frosty mornings, but nod gaily in the sunshine, as tho' glad of their kindly mis" sion. And we fill our hands with the flowers, and wear them on our bosoms, and give them a place in our hearts. We note their delicate petals and beautiful colors, and we say, "These, too, shall be our favorite flowers." Their white purity tells us of the snowy flakes that shall fall, their crimson tints, of the glorious sunsets winter shall bring, and their gold, of the sunshine that shall follow shadow. No frail, delicate blossoms are these, flowers of the summer, bearing in their sweet perfume the memory of soft breezes and gentle sunshine, but brave, hardy flowers, heralds of the winter, bringing in their strong, bi tter odor, suggestions of wild winds and snowy scenes. And what beauty they bring ! They brighten the sad, dark earth until the snow shall come to cover her desola-tion. And when at last the poor old year shall die, and white flakes shall drift into his grave, his bier shall be strewn w;.th the faded blossoms of the Chrysanthemum. A. R. W., '99. 58 THE GETTYSBURG MERCURY. For " The Gettysburg Mercury." A COLLEGE SONG. The college days abound in joys The alumni oft recall, Our gala days have come, my boys, The happiest days of all. Chorus: Hail Gettysburg, live Pennsy boys ! Hail Pennsylvania! We forge ahead with little noise, But we'll "get there," 'rah ! 'rah ! Come, boys, the standard we'll sustain, The Course tops all to date, Let us endeavor to attain The scholar's high estate. Foot-ball's all right; yes, yes, (we guess); All other sports beside ; T'is brawn that gives brain-work success, Let "dafties" ponies ride. No cannon balls now make alarms ! The battlefield lies still, The "vets" return no more in swarms, But students "fill the bill." We're student girls and student boys, Do not forget, dear friends, Old Pennsy well deserves applause, Her fame far out extends. Hurrah for "The Gettysburgian"\ And "Mercury" renewed! New-made the College seeks the van And marches victor-viewed. —'80. A DEED OF A STORNY NIGHT. It was a fearful night. Pale lightning quivered at intervals through the clouds. The wind, howling around the corners in fitful blasts driving the rain before it in whirling, dizzying sheets, lent a horror and a wierdness almost unendurable. Flaring and fluttering in its at-temps to penetrate the gloom, the dim and uncertain street-lamp, swayed by the storm, cast huge, blurred, THE GETTYSBURG MERCURY. 59 ghost-like shadows It is on just such nights, that crimi-nals commit their crimes. Having no light in my room, I was standing by the window looking out into the storm. I saw my neighbor, a man of suspicious character, even now in the shadow of the law, his coat buttoned close up to his neck, his hat drawn over his eyes, come out of his door, carrying something in his hand. I saw the look of grim determination, as the light from his own door streamed upon his face. I saw him with nervous tread, stooped posture, head thrown forward, and the arm which carried the doubtful something drawn back as though about to strike, sneak up to the corner of his house, where, in the friendly shadow of the street-lamp, he paused. Still it rains; but above the howl of the wind and the swish of the rain, soon he hears some one approaching. He cautiously peers around the corner, and sees by the light of the street-lamp that the man coming, bears a striking resemblance to a certain one who, only that morning, attempted in court to prove him a thief. Upon this man he had sworn to take vengeance. I see my neighbor crouching there ready to spring upon this man. Yet a few steps, and he will be avenged. Fearer comes the unsuspecting man ; lower my neighbor crouches ; the man is before him, I hear a low gurgle ; but the couch-ant figure did not spring upon him. Can this be the wrong man? The man is safely past, and still the figure is couchant. A glimmer from an opened door shows that I have been mistaken ; to-morrow is wash-day. He is placing a tub under the spout, and that low gurgle is made by the water falling into it. J. K. H. '00. THE INFLUENCE OF HAPPY THOUGHT. Our attention is often directed to the influence of our habits of actions upon our conduct and character, but the influence exerted by our habits of thought is not so gener-ally emphasized. This influence is no less potential and is ever more important than that produced by our habits of muscular action. GO THE GETTYSBURG MERCURY. We can plainly see that each effort to use the fingers, in sewing or writing, for instance, leaves a tendency to do the same way until it becomes automatic. But we can not so clearly see what is progressing in the same way—that each thought tends to repeat itself until it is wholly invol-untary, and furthermore that every thought we think has either a good or bad influence in the formation of our character. Therefore in our college life it is esoecially important that we cultivate the habit of happy thought, because of the variety of our thoughts, the ones that we cherish pertinaciously will finally become a part of us and remain through life just as the action of the hand in writing or playing a musical instrument will finally become automatic. By the habit of happy thought is not meant the utter exclusion of all that is unpleasant and sad, but a sunny outlook upon life. Some one has said, "If we love beauty, and look for it, we will find it everywhere." Every book we read, every person we meet, every incident that occurs has a pleasant or an unpleasantside to it. We must choose which of these sides we will get into the habit of seeing. That, "Our thoughts are our angels," is certainly true if we are in the habit of seeing the bright side, if we are in the habit of cherishing happy thoughts. Two men may live in the same house, may have the same surroundings, but may not live in the same world. To the one everything seems dark, deformed, and the world seems to be out of joint; in men he sees only the cimes without, but not the good within. The other lives in the sunshine of life ; he is friendly to everbody; no one wishes him harm. He has formed the habit of happy thought; the other has not. As our thoughts are, so will be our actions, our char-acters. Bishop Porteous said, "Bad thoughts quickly ripen into bad action," and it is just as true that happy, altruistic thoughts produce good and noble men and women. Pure, virtuous thoughts are as guardian angels to watch over and protect us from evil and wickedness. THE GETTYSBURG MERCURY. 61 Plato said, "Thinking is the talking of the soul with itself.' The conversation of some persons is not only pleasant but also profitable to us, of others it is injurious. So are our thoughts sources of extreme happiness, as well as a benefit, or they are an injury to us. As we are judged by the company we keep so are we known to the world by the thoughts we think because they reveal themselves in our character, our action, and also in our features. Our minds are gates and their keeper, the Will, will exclude all thoughts we do not desire. Those that do enter will soon find themselves in the world of action. H. S. R., '01. LIFE'S DUTY. Old bells grown such with ringing Peal sweetest melodies ; Song-birds cease not from singing Though brown and bare the trees; The brook that leaps in glory And turns the busy mill, Is praised in song and story; But ne'er the one that's still. When purple morn appeareth, When hours are long and bright, When twilight slowly neareth And silent fades in night; Go forth unto your duty, Though it be play or work; Those lives contain most beauty Which ne'er a duty shirk. When all your toil and sorrow On earth is here complete, The angels, on the morrow, And loved ones you will meet. O sweet and blessed meeting, When portals ope to all! O joyous, happy greeting, Within the jasper wall! —C. S. B., ■^■■1 02 THE GETTYSBURG MERCURY. 1HEGAME AT PHILADELPHIA. SEEN THROUGH A WOMAN'S EYES. Perhaps it may interest your readers to hear of the great game from one who was there. The day was Heaven's own child, the mists of the morning had rolled away and there could not have been more delightful conditions for those who came to see. For those who came to play ball the day was too warm, so said "those-who-know." And just here I may say that "those-who-know" have a decided advantage over common folk who do not know, when it comes to a game of foot-ball. For instance when attention is called to the number of rooters on the field, the unknown scans the field, sees no pigs, confesses ignorance and learns that the excitable young men with huge tin horns—megaphones I believe—are the professional "rooters." I suppose it has a classical root, since it is in the college boys vocabu-lary. Eyes that are unaccustomed to crowds fail to esti-mate when numbers exceed the hundreds ; so to me there seemed to be • an innumerable host of beings, closely packed in the tiers of seats on the ball ground. A University man says twenty-five thousand tickets were sold ; probably twenty thousand people were there. At any rate it was an interesting scene, one not easily for-gotten, and what matters a few thousands more or less to such a host. It was a jolly crowd ; hundreds of college boys sang, bands played, men and women chattered, and at intervals came the "yells" of two Universities. But the supreme shout greeted the players as they ran upon the field; the Harvard boys in their crimson stockings and sweaters ; the U. P. team in their garments of red and blue. Last of all came Jumbo, clad in a red and blue blanket; and as the heavy mastiff ran into the centre of the field and took the ball into his jaws, another round of cheering broke forth for the U. P's. mascot. The large number of Harvard partisans was a matter of surprise ; and it was a pleasure to us who wore the crimson badge, but went feeling there would be no one to THE GETTYSBURG MERCURY. 63 cheer the Boston boys. On one of the stands two large Harvard flags—beauties they were, of crimson silk— floated out bravely on the breeze, until the second part of the game; when a wag lowered one of them in token of the waning fortune of the day. Gayly dressed women and merry girls wearing the college colors of their choice gave fine color to the scene that would have been monotonous without them. How monotonous a company of men would have been was im-pressed upon me by the prevalence of one tone in the hats worn by them. Surely out of ten thousand men, nine thousand five hundred wore the light gray felt hat that has come into the full tide of fashion. Get a gray felt, with a black and gray band and be happy. Only once did Harvard win the heartiest applause by their fine playing ; and that was in Parker's brilliant dash, which even the unknowning could fully appreciate. "Those-who-know" say it is an old trick by which the Penn boys should not have been caught; he called it a mossback but I cannot find this word in my diction-ary. At no time was Penn's. goal threatened. Harvard played a stubborn, defensive game from first to last. There were no serious accidents to mar the game ; bloody brow and limping legs, were trifles you know. Umpires and referees were much in evidence among the players, but on the whole great good feeling seemed to prevail. One U, P. man left the field "disqualified for slugging." It was sad to see the beaten team go deject-edly from one corner of the field, while from another cor-r ner the captain of the conquering band was borne from the field on the shoulders of his jubilant comrades. C. I, ■■■^■■H 64 THE GETTYSBURG MERCURY. EDITORS' DESK. Ring out the old, ring in the new, Ring, happy bells, across the snow : The year is going, let him go ; Ring out the false, ring in the true. Ring in the valiant man and free, The larger heart, the kindlier hand; Ring out the darkness of the land, Ring in the Christ that is to be. —In Memoriam. * * * OuR"Gettysburg College Songs"is now only a question of time and leadership. The sentiment is strongly in fa-vor of the movement. Sentiment is the first essential, but only the first. We must have the songs. Every man who can versify and has a musical element in him should now seize this opportunity to show it. Many of the boys are already at work and others will do something during the long holidays. Our first song is from an alumnus. Next! MUCH the same might be said of the MERCURY. It is with us to stay as a literary paper and we are trying to conduct it in such a way as will meet the approval of our readers. All we need to make it the kind of a paper you think it ought to be is for you to write the kind of mater-ial you think it ought to contain. When you graduate, are you going to sit down and wait for a position to seek you, or are you going to seek it ? Can you prepare for life by a purely passive receptivity ? Mere knowledge is not power. The man of power is the man who has knowledge and skill. The latter comes only from within. Says Marion Crawford,''Any one who means to make a career of litera-ture must read widely and write much." The principle has a universal application. The vacant places on the staff are to be filled in the future by those who show by contribution the most inter-est and ability. By personal solicitations for material, we run counter to this proposed method of election. The so- THE GETTYSBURG MERCURY. 65 lution is for you to give us articles unasked. If they are not published, the editor and writer are Ihe only ones in the knowledge; if you don't want your name before the readers as the author of your articles, again we are the only ones in the secret. "We have two educations, one which we receive from others, and one which we give to ourselves. It is this lat-ter which gives us our place in society and finally our condition in this life." ONE of the considerations entering into the average stu-dent's choice of a college or university is the extensiveness of its library. But after having begun his course he seems gradually to drift from his noble purpose of availing him-self of every advantage the library affords. This is more because he has not attempted to cultivate a taste for litera-ture, or thinks he has not the time to read, than because he believes that there is no gain in it. For who doubts the value of reading ? Who cannot single out the reader by his conversation, language, thoughts, in short, by his cul-ture? The force of Bacon's saying that, "Reading maketh a full man," is easily realized by him who associates with ci reader or is himself one. WE live in an age of books. Never before was there such a universal distribution of literature, available to practically every one. To-day it is almost a fact that no man has any excuse for being ignorant. If books and general literature can do so much for the ordinary man, what can they not do for him who is especially in pursuit of knowledge ? Students, awake and read ! It is needless to say that it should be the best. G6 THE GETTYSBURG MERCURY. OUR EXCHANGE TABLE. The November issue of The Free Lance and of The Col-lege Student is a "Foot Ball Number." The former gives a record of foot-ball since '87 ; the latter has a nnmber of excellent articles on various phases of the game, three of which are written by members of the faculty. Women comprise 55 per cent of our undergraduates. Tbe Senior Basket-Ball Team bave honored Pennsyl-vania College by adopting orange and blue as their colors. —Irving Sketch-Buok. There are 1000 women in the medical schools of Tokio, Japan. Cambridge and Oxford refuse to bestow degrees upon women. Li Hung Chang graduated at the head of a class of 15,000. A series of articles on "Books one should read before graduation*' are appearing in The Lafayette. The fact is emphasized that it is easier to tell a college student what to read than when to find time to do it. Ann Arbor enrolls over 3000 students. Dartmouth students have adopted the honor system of examinations. All required work in Greek and Latin is completed in Freshman year. Senior year is all elective, Junior almost all. For every dollar spent on the army, Russia spends for public schools, li cents, France 18 cents, Italy 24 cents, Prussia 25 cents, Austria 46 cents, United States $3.50. The Kalends always contains some interesting stories. THE GETTYSBURG MERCURY. 07 It ranks among our best exchanges. "Christmas Edition" is especially good. Robert R. Gaily, Princeton's famous foot-ball center, will soon sail to China as a missionary. Yale claims the honor of send-.ng out 92 college presi-dents. Harvard has 3739 students. We welcome the following exchanges : Wittenberger, Susquehanna, Midland, Roanuke Collegian, Maryland Collegian, The Pharetra, Mountaineer, Western Maryland Monthly, St. John's Collegian, The Campus, The Muhlen-berg, Ursinus Bulletin, The Phcenix, College Forum, Col-lege Folio, Mont Amoenian, Orange and White, Amulet, Normal Herald, Delaware College Review, Haverfordian, Cordiensis. Each of these contain some highly creditable work. We are deficient in a suitable place where they may be kept on file and be accessible to the students. SENSE AND NONSENSE. Of all the gifts this side of heaven That ever were to mortals given, The best to have, the worst to miss, The truest, sweetest source of bliss, The one rail left on Eden's fence, Stands the pure charm of common sense. LITTLE SISTER—"What's the diff'rence 'tween 'lec-tric'ty and lightnin'?" Little Brother—"You don't have to pay nuthin' fur lightnin'." A man with a two-inch brain and a three-inch mouth is like a five foot boiler and a seven-foot whistle—every time the whistles blows the engine has to stop. us THE GETTYSBURG MERCURY. THE man who thinks he knows all there is to know is already too dead to know that he is dying. MOTHER—Johnny, you said you'd been to Sunday School. Johnny (with a faraway look)—Yes'm. Mother—How does it happen that your hands smell fishy? Johnny—I—I carried home th' Sunday School paper, an'—an' th' outside page is all about Jonah an' th' whale. You will find a full line of Pure Drugs & Fine Stationery PEOPLES' DRUG STORE. Prescriptions a Specialty. J. A. TawneY is ready to furnish clubs and board-ing houses with Bread, Rolls, &c, at short notice and reasonable rates. Washington and Middle Sts., Gettysburg David Troxel, .DEALER IN. FINE GROCERIES AND NOTIONS. =Yorli Street. Go To^ ^HOTEL GETTYSBURG^? BARBER SHOP. Centre Square. B. M. SEFTON. MUMPER & BENDER, Cabinet Making, Picture Frames. Baltimore St., - GETTYSBURG, PA. SIMON J. CODORI, —DEALER IN— BEEF, PORK, LAMB, VEAL, SAUSAGE, York Street, Gettysburg, J3F"Special rates to clubs. .Go To. ^TIPTON & BARBEHEOt BARAERS, In the Eagle Hotel, Cor. Main and Washington Sts. Subscribe for > The PATRONIZE OUR ADVERTISERS. RCGUJIIUIiATED WEAIiTH. Laying: up of riches isn't the only thing in life, for frequently a sour disposition is Hie result. You want to take comfort in life as you go along, one of the best ways to taRe comfort is to buy well-fltting clothing. My Fall Styles are now here and the selection is large and varied Suits made to your order from §12 up. Pressing and Repairing done at short notice. J. D. LIPPY, Merchant Tailor. 45 Chambersburg St., Gettysburg. G. E. SPANGLER, (Successr to J. W. Eicholtz & Co.) DEALER IN PIANOS, ORGANS, MUSIC, MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS, STRINGS, Etc. YORK STREET, ist Square, Gettysburg. 1108 CHESTNUT STREET, PHILADELPHIA. Wright's EngraYing House, HA8 become the recognized leader in unique styles of COLLEGE and FRA-TERNITY ENGRAVINGS and STATION-ERY, College and Class-Day Invitations, engraved and printed from steel plates ; Programmes, Menus, Wedding and Re-ception Invitations, Announcements, etc. etc., Examine prices and styles before ordering elsewhere. 50 Visiting Cards from New Engraved Plates $1.00. ERNESTA. WRIGHT, noS CliestnutSt., Philadelphia. ^JOHN L. SHEADS, NEW CIGAR STORE Next door to W. M. Depot, Gettysburg, Pa. ~P. F. HENNIG7 —DEALER IN— Bread, Rolls, Pretzels Crackers, YORK STREET, GETTYSBURG. ®°Reasonable Rates to Clubs. L. D. MILLER, ig Main St., Gettysburg. Grocer, Confectioner and Fruiterer. ICE CREAM and OYSTERS in SEASON. GETTYSBURG, PA., Main St. Free 'Bus to and from all trains. Rates $1.50 ta $2.00 per day. Thirty seconds' walk from either depot. DINNER WITH DRIVE OVER FIELD WITH 4 OR MORE $1-35. JOHN E. HUGHES, Prop'r Go Tn __ c. A. BLOCHER'S Jewelry Store .FOR. Souvenir Spoons, Sword Pins, &c. All Kinds of Jewelry. Repairing a Specialty. Post Office Corner, Centre Square. PHOTOGRAPHER, NO. 3 MAIN STREET, GETTYSBURG, PA. Our new Enameled Aristo Por-traits are equal to Photos made afiywhere, and at any price. WE RECOMMEND THESE BUSINESS MEN. BASE BALL SUPPLIES, Spaldings League Ball, Mits, Masks, etc., Managers should send for samples and special rates. Every requisite for Tennis, Golf, Cricket, Track and Field Gymnasium Equipments and Outfits. Complete Catalogue Spring and Summer Sports Free. "THE NAME THE GUARANTEE" A. G. SPLLDING, & BROS., New York, Philadelphia, Chicago. S. G. Spangler, & Co. Fine Groceries, iN1 •*- Telephone 39, 102 E. Middle Si. S. J. CODO$I, JPM DRUGGIST. .DEADER IN., Drugs, Medicines, Toilet Ar-ticles, Stationery, Blank Books, Amateur Pho-tographic Supplies, Etc., Etc. BALTIMORE STREET. R. H. GULP, 43. * $ ">.v Second Square, York Street. College Emblems, EJVIIli ZOTHE, Engraver, Designer and Mauufact'g Jeweler. 19 SOUTH NINTH STREET; PHILADELPHIA, PA. SPECIALTIES : Masonic Marks, Society- Badges, College Buttons, Pins, Scarf Pins, Stick Pins and Athletic Prizes. All goods ordered through C.H.Tilp. BOHRDINCT By Day, Week or Month. Rates reasonable. House equipped with all modern improvements. GROCERY STORE in same building. Full line of goods kept and sold at small profits. House and Store located on Cor. of College Campus, opposite Brua Chapel. ^"Public Patronage Solicited Samuel EC. Tanghinbangh, Prop. MENEELY BELL CO. Troy, N. Y. Manufacturers of SUPERIOR BELLS. The 2000 pound bell now ringing in the tower of Pennsylvania College was manufactured at this foundry. PATRONIZE OUR ADVERTISERS. AH^ E$(ERT —DEALER IN— Hats, Shirts, Shoes, Ties, Umbrellas, Gloves, Satchels, Hose, Pocket Books. Trunks, Telescopes, Rubbers, Mo'.',. Etc., AMOS ECKERT. Job printer1, WEAVER BUILDING, Centre Square, JO1|RJ. Thomseu's Sons IMPORTERS AND JOBBERS OP + DRUGS, '• Nos. 16 and 18 W. German street, BALTIMORE, SID. Offer to the trade their large and well-selected stock ol' DRUGS, MEDICINES, CHEMICALS and PERFUMERY. Make a specialty to have on hand everything required by Pharmacists. A complete stock can at any time be selected or wants supplied. ALONZO L. THOMPSEN, Manufacturing Chemist. Race, Winder, Sharp & Leadenhall Sts , P. O. Box 557. BALTIMORE, MD. I beg to call attention to the trade that I have recently added to my Plant a com-plete set ol Drug Milling Machinery of the most improved pattern. J. I. MUMPER, PHOTOGRAPHER, 29 BALTIMORE ST., GETTVSBEKG, PA. Speciai Mtention CQLLEGE WORK. A PINE COLLECTION OP BATTtEFIFLD VIEWS. Always on- hand. Mail Orders receive Prompt Attention. CALL ON . . F. MARK BREAM, The Carlisle Street Grocer, Who always has on hand a full line of fine Groceries. WE RECOMMEND THESE BUSINESS MEN. HOTEL GETTYSBURG, Located on Centre Square where McClellan House formerly stood. GET"n SBUIW, PA. RATES $3 PER DAY. It is the acknowledged Lead-ing Hotel of Gettysb'g Heat-ed throughout with steam; hot or cold Baths; commodious Sample Rooms: Dinine-room capacity 200; has a Cosine of par excellence. Headquarters for League American WfaejBl-man. Headquarters couimei" cial travelers. Headquarters military or civic societies, Free 'bus to and from all trains. II. .V I>. K. Miller Prop's. ElfflER & AMEND, Manufacturers and Importers of CHEMICALS ani CHEMICAL • APPARATUS, 205, 207, 209 & 211 Third Avenue, Corner 18th Street. NEW YORK. Finest Bohemian and German Glassware, Rojal Berlin and Meis-sen Porcelain, Purest Hammered Platinum, Balances and Weights. Zeiss Microscopes, and Bacteriologi-cal Apparatus, Chemical Pure Acids and Assay Goods. — Established 1S76 -*■ PENROSE MYERS, Watchmaker and Jeweler. Gettysburg Souvenir Spoons, College Souvenir Spoons, No. 10. Balto. si. Gettysburg', Pa "PRICES ALWAYS RIGHT" THE LUTHERAN PUBLISHING HOUSE. ^ No. 42 North 9th St., "^' PHILADELPHIA, PA. Acknowledged Headquarters for ANYTHING and EVERYTHING in the way of Books for Churches, Families, Col-leges, and Schools, and Lit-erature, for Sunday Schools. Please Remember That by sending your orders to as you help build up and develop one of the Church institutions, with pecun-iary advantage to yourself, Address;, Henry S. Boner, Sui>"t. No. 42 North 9;h Street, p PHILADELPHIA. BARBER ^SHOP, CHARLES C. SEFTON, Proprietor, BALTIMORE STREET. The place for Students to go. Only First-class Tonsorial Work.