“THE HAZING OF SPRAGUE CLEMENTS”
 
NE beautiful evening in September the moon, rising in fiery splendor over the world, was frequently excluded from view by the dark clouds, which rapidly floated across the surface of the sky. All this seemed extremely fortunate to six zealous Sophomores, but in reality it was equally unfortunate for one wily Freshman, for this was the appointed night for his informal initiation to Princeton College.

The Sophomores’ favorite was a brilliant, loyal young man, whose name was Theodore Billings, but who was more frequently called “Ted.” He boosted athletics, and his class numerals were emblazoned on everything he wore.

The fated object of this evening’s frolic was Sprague Clements, a neat young Freshman, whose chief pride was in his personal appearance. He had not yet become accustomed to college ways, for he was a “week-old Princeton baby,” and this was the popular appellation that was applied to him.

At the hour appointed for starting out on their tour of adventure, six Sophomores appeared at the corner of Oak and Lincoln streets. For several reasons, secrecy regarding the evening’s sport must be kept, for one professor possessed the habit of investigating his students’ queer actions, and of following up such searches by immediate exposure, as a consequence of which pupils were often expelled.

But these Sophomores were successful in arriving at the building in which Sprague Clements roomed, without attracting the attention of Professor Barnes. The moon was shining brightly on the east side of the building, so the Sopho-