Much Ado About Nothing

by William Woods

A stranger, passing through the grounds of the Smithtown seminary on the evening of the fourth of May, 185-, would have noticed that something unusual had happened. The students, instead of rushing to the ball ground after recitation as was their wont, collected in groups about the yard, and, finally, more from habit than from a desire to play ball, slowly walked to the ground and commenced to play.

It was very evident, however, that none of them had any interest in the game. Harry Lovejoy made a fly catch which would have been received with shouts and clapping, ordinarily, but was now hardly noticed by the spectators or players, who were generally on the lookout for good play. Tommy Haskins bit a lick which sent the ball far beyond the centre field, and made a home run. This was the first time a home run had been made that season, but nobody seemed to notice it, and even Tommy himself forgot he had done a “big thing,” and hurried to join a group of fellow-students, who were discussing some question of such importance that it kept them from paying any attention to their base ball. Not even did the “Smithtown Nine,” who had been practicing hard so as to beat the Fly Aways of Benton, and the alerts of Blackstone, in the coming matches, play with any life, and evening came on before six innings were over.

The cause of all this excitement was as follows: There had been a robbery at the seminary. The term had commenced about a fortnight before, and all of the students, except Gorham de Lancey, had returned at the proper time. He lived in New York, and, since he was enjoying himself at home, had delayed his departure as long as he possibly could. Moreover, all the other students, and especially the “digs,” were always on hand at the very first recitation, and Gorham thought it was rather manly to show an utter disregard of school rules. Then, too,… Read More