Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 51.djvu/709

Rh had somewhat independent notions concerning the rhetorical proprieties, and, holding college compositions in no high esteem, failed in a corresponding degree to be appreciated by the professor. Yet he was all the time paying his way through college with his pen, being employed as an assistant editor on the New York Sun, then under the control of Moses Y. Beach. Very much surprised was the professor when he learned from one of Lockwood's classmates that he, the member of the class who stood lowest in marks, was thus practically achieving a substantial literary success.

In consequence of an attack of brain fever, Lockwood left college during his sophomore year and retired to the country to recruit. A classmate came to visit him, and during his stay the two youths went for a hunt. They bagged some birds and squirrels, which were carried to the farmhouse where they were staying. The good wife prepared the game for dinner in delicate style, but while the classmate ate with evident relish, Lockwood, although declaring that he was "as hungry as a bear," found his conscience smiting him, and the savory dish seemed only to accuse him of a wicked and selfish slaughter.

Prolonging his stay in the country through the vacation season, Lockwood one day discovered an oriole's nest at the extremity of a provokingly high and long branch of an oak. To get at the nest without destroying the limb was impossible. At the farmhouse he expressed a wish to get the young birds, when an inmate said, in a taunting way:

"I'd like to see a city chap get them birds!"

That was a challenge. He undertook the capture, and by a series of ingenious devices, combined with steady persistence, secured the whole brood.

This incident rooted more deeply than ever the taste of the student for natural history. When his graduation was near, Dr. Draper, the chemist, in whose class Lockwood stood very high, endeavored to impress upon him that it was his duty to enter the medical college. The young man's trend was, however, toward the Christian ministry. This inclination, which became an irresistible desire, was encouraged by the Rev. Dr. Ferris, afterward Chancellor of the University, and Colonel Crosby, father of the late Rev. Dr. Crosby. Mr. Lockwood entered the Theological Seminary of the Reformed Dutch Church at New Brunswick, N. J.

Mr. Lockwood had been privately married soon after graduation from the university, and still kept the fact a secret when he entered the seminary. He soon found himself without resources, and in his trouble had recourse to prayer. Ultimately the singular thought occurred to him, on which he acted at once, of going