s; and frequently the
property-owner returned, feeling very much as if he had been the
culprit.

One day, a countryman drove up with a load of wood. As he disappeared
around an angle of the building in search of the purveyor, our heroes
approached, with a select party of classmates, weary of recitations, and
longing for a change. Forsythe, whose genius for military tactics was so
striking that he was dubbed, by universal consent, "the general,"
instantly formed his plan of attack; and, being nobly seconded by his
quick-witted aids, he carried it into execution with the rapidity and
decision characteristic of a great commander. In five minutes, the
farmer returned, having concluded his bargain; but where was his cart,
and horse, and load of wood? Nothing of the kind was to be seen; and it
was very evident that patient Dobbin had, for once in his life, resolved
to take a frolic, and see a little of life; or else that some rogue had
gotten possession of him and his appurtenances without the formality of
a purchase. The town was searched, and all the adjacent roads. The
neighbors, ever ready, from a principle of pure benevolence, to take a
lively interest in all that was going on, gave advice in rich profusion,
and sent the poor man flying hither and thither, in vain. But, at last,
the contradictory reports appeared to settle down into the following
facts: that many persons had seen the cart enter the town, but that none
had witnessed its departure--wherein might be traced a strange likeness
to the old fable of the sick lion and his visitors. The suspicion at
last became general, that the students were somehow at the bottom of it;
so just an appreciation did the townspeople possess of their
capabilities for mischief, that no tricks of diablerie seemed too much
to ascribe to them. As the weary countryman and his sympathizing
companions approached those academic shades, where earnest study and
severe meditation filled up all the hours, a stir was apparent within
the building; and the tramping of feet upon the stone staircase, and the
laughter of many voices, told that something unusual had occurred.

With ill-disguised merriment, the worthy rustic was escorted up three
flights of stairs, until, uneasily stamping upon the brick pavement of
the hall, his wondering eyes fell upon his horse, looking decidedly out
of his element. How came he there? Behind him was the cart, loaded with
wood--not a buckle of his tackling was amiss-