As far back as I can remember, Richard was always starting something--usually a new club or a violent reform movement.

And in school or college, as in all the other walks of life, the reformer must, of necessity, lead a somewhat tempestuous, if happy, existence.

The following letter, written to his father when Richard was a student at Swarthmore, and about fifteen, will give an idea of his conception of the ethics in the case: SWARTHMORE--1880.
DEAR PAPA: I am quite on the Potomac.

I with all the boys at our table were called up, there is seven of us, before Prex.

for stealing sugar-bowls and things off the table.