The Principal's Ash-Barrel.

In a notable college the story is told —

‘ Twill bear repetition, although somewhat old —

That, at some unauthenticate date in the past

( I think‘ twas the month or the year before last ),

The Principal brought a complaint‘ gainst the Steward

Concerning a matter he long had endured:

He deposed that the former — the cause of the quarrel —

Had neglected to see to his scavenger-barrel,

And requested the Faculty grave and sedate

To sit and consider the point in debate,

Which this reverend body would straightway have done

Had not a professor objection begun

By insisting that such an undignified act

To the Faculty was not becoming, in fact,

That he, for his part, refused to comply

With the purpose the Principal wished to apply,

Considering it‘ neath both his place and apparel

To sit upon anyone's scavenger-barrel.