Butler University - Carillon / Drift Yearbook (Indianapolis, IN)

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Starting with Freshmen, this class of 1 904 had the brightest prospects of any, since the hard winter of 1829. During their budding year, they were the only class to give a bob-sled ride. Not satisfied with their triumph over the snow, they entered more artistic paths and furnished all of the spear-bearers in that never-to-be- forgotten Elizabethan success The Shoemaker ' s Holiday. The next year, under the leadership of Guy E. KiOie, the class of 1904 drove back the fighting fresh- men hom the secretary ' s office to the pump, gaining the victory and securing the cup from the pump. But of all the dances, pony showers, banquets, trolley rides and dinners given by the class the greatest triumph was the play given on Foun- ders Day. After the other classes witnessed the antics of the class of 1904 in John Kendrick Bang ' s Masterpiece they all sat down and cried and cursed the stage and its hidden secrets. The next year the class could float down the stream of credit gaining with ease — What is the use to do anything? We have all of the other classes out of business. So by this monoply of crowning novelties, they have gained the platform which they now hold. To the undergraduate they are ideal, but if we look behind the walls and lis- ten at the key-hole of the class-room, we discover that they also have troubles of their own. I remember a hustling Collegian reporter, who wished to make a scoop on the Irvington Retreat, had himself nailed under the floor that he might overhear the class meeting m which the problem of caps and gowns was to be solved. This inventive youth had a wonderful stoiy of the discussion — every detail was recorded, even the report of the faculty, in which two stood out against the movement, and Jocko Anthony ' s famous speech, wherein the captain declared that he would rather appear in a kimona and sash than one of those long trip- up robes which, after commencement, furnish food for the moths. After the costume question had been taken from the table, another enterprise was considered. Mr. Jason Elstun conceived the idea of giving a minstrel show for the benefit of the Old Student ' s Home. Many old jokes and songs were var- nished and set up to dry, but owing to the lack of support the little show caught a heavy cold, sickened and passed away. Elstun sat up with it the night it died. Thus we have followed the happy family up to the World ' s Fair year and to-day we find them retired from the boards of University politics and are rehears- ing their parts for commencement day, namely — -take diploma in right hand, bow, say thank you (not thanks or much obliged), smile, take a deep breath, throw the chest out and sit down. All undergraduates may grasp each senior by the hand at the President ' s reception, until then let them rest in peace. John F. Mitchell, ' 05.

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Aiilrrp at tlir Dttrli nr ahr niinr ' a Sxinuniyr PLACE will be vacant m those dear old walnut chapel seats, ere the coming of another term and the class of 1 904 will sell their graduating presents and modestly retire from the great stage of college tragedy. It will be hard for the senior men to lay aside these frock-coats and silk hats and don citizen ' s clothes again. But life IS made up of bumps and callous places, so these young people must bear their fir touch of one of the sharp corners of the outside world, like brave men and women. We unfortunates, who must remain in innocent Irvington, have no conception of the burden that rests on the shoulders of the members of the class of 1 904. Some must begin the work of collecting a trousseau, think of the number of showers required in this enterpnse. Others must crack into society, learn to nibble at a wafer and drink coffee from a vase. The more enthusiastic members must go to work. As we look this class in the eyes, wondering how they did it, our mind reverts to those balmy freshman days when, with campus-tickets in hand, they pushed through the throng of script-sellers and bumped into the office of Dr. For- rest — that unmerciful assessor who frightens the timid ruralites by the question, Latin, Greek or Domestic Chemistry ? Wasnt it interesting to watch them develop, taking on new customs day by day. But there is one face lacking m the red plush album of the class of 1 904. It is Moses. Don ' t you remember that mild, lady-like youth, with tapering fingers and poetic voice, who used to read to us in the English-room ? Moses couldn ' t wait for this class, but wore his white rose and fern leaf, and framed his diploma last June. During the course the class has made some fortunate pick-ups. The Club- House quarantine snatched Jocko Anthony and Mike Hunt from the class of 1903 and put their names on the golden tablets of 1904. Miss Qumn enlisted with the 1904 volunteers while doing a three year stunt in the arts department. Jason Elstun was scheduled for 1903, but, owing to a surveying shower held in the highest point of the Allegheny mountains, two years ago, was labeled exhibit 1904.

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n i§n cilu abrfslutlii CHALLENGE comes boldly telling of might. On the soft gentle breeze of the day ; Are ye ready for battle, ready for fight ? Are ye anxious to join in the fray ? Is your armour burnished, your courage rare ? Have you sharpened your sword vith infinite care? Proud of the deeds you soon will dare ? Are ye bred in the old Butler Way ? Gladly we come to take up this gage. To show we really are men ; To show that no challenge our spirit can suage. Our strength the strength of ten. So leap we forth at this fated hour. Strong in the faith of our unknown power. Conscious our effort will surely endower Old Butler with honor again. Then this IS the day we take our adieu To Alma Mater ' s mem ried halls. Ere we go from her rooms to the world to the new, Ere we list to its clear bugle calls. And the thoughts of the past in our bosoms swell. As we think of the places where now we dwell. And with full sad hearts we say our farewell To Butler ' s dear sacred walls. More than the knowledge of right and of wrong. More than the mere written shell ; We have found the side which alone is the strong. With the life lived under its spell. We have learned of the love that silently grows In the youth of the world as it kindles and glows. But Its strength and puissance no man knows — Old Butler has guided us well.