St Johns College - Yearbook (Annapolis, MD)

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The 'Tolchester Encampment 1 1 On the first of June, in the year 1903, the college battalion, one hundred and fifty strong, swung down Prince George Street to the inspiring tune of Blaze Away, rendered by Limburger's band 'in their own inimitable style. Arriving at the wharf, the com- paniesiwere dismissed, and the fellows, assuming the most comfortable positions possible, sat down to wait for the boat which was to take us over to Tolchester. While we sat there and inhaled the delicious breeze that blew in from the Chesapeake, we realized for the first time that examinations were really over and we were starting on our annual encampment. Asthe proud steamer Louise came in, shivers of apprehension shook those who never before had dared the Hraginglmain. They might have been spared their fear, for the trip across the bay was a- delightful one. The pleasure of the trip was much enhanced by the presence of several ladies on board, and soon after leaving the dock an informal hop was started on the lower deck., At this hop Bonney,Valk and Cutler distinguished themselves by their gallantry. I w - 160

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W ending our way down to the first floor we enter the Latin room where Tommy stands ready to receive our wonderful rendition of Lucretius. In one hand he holds the little red book which we love CD so well, and in the other, an automatic pencil for making Zips. Three quarters of an hour affords ample time for us to impart to him our store of knowledge and then follows a discussion as to whether man will eventually freeze or starve to death. This question does not concern us very deeply for our names will no doubt adorn some cemetery before either event takes place, and besides there is little choice between these two modes of departure. So when we have received our allotment of seventy-five lines for next time, together with the reminder that it is a very short lesson, and the advice to beware of all quadrupeds in connection with Latin, we pass out of the room. Next we go to English, and spend an exciting hour in tracing the language from its cradle up to the present stage. To make it more exciting we read choice bits of Anglo-Saxon verse with e's thrown in where they do the most harm, and then give vent to our feelings by declining oxa. Finally when our nerves are about to give way under the terrible strain, with climbe, clombe, clumben ringing in our ears we seek the Math. room. ' I Within those wal's we wrestle with cosines, tangents and other mysteries - that Wentworth and his contemporaries have devised forthe tortureof succeeding generations. By and by the bell sounds again and we go .to dinner. - After dinner those who have tobacco usually go to their rooms for a quiet smoke, while those who have not, start out to bum it. Pleasant moments pass quickly and before we realize it, two o'clock has come and the bugle calls us to drill. Then for an hour we march around the back campus to the tune of While Old Glory Waves, bearing with meekness all reproaches from the oflicers who never make mistakes, and listening with eager ears for re-call. I With drill, ends our work for the day and-we are at liberty until six o'clock. Some don their football clothes and go out on the gridiron to prepare for a contest with an old rival. A few of the more studious ones begin to bone lessons for the morrow while others lose themselves in the latest popular novel. At six o'clock we assemble once more to sniff the odors of some new dish that the skillful hand of Braxton,.the cook, has prepared. A walk down town or a game of marbles occupies the time from supper until half past seven, and then begins our struggle to Master the Math., Greek, and Chemistry that the Profs in their wisdom have heaped upon us for the coming day. How we wish we could be Profs, for a week and assign lessons to those who pile them on us. . But there is no time for reflection. Just as we are in the midst of the Iliad, taps sound, the lights go out, and another day of college life is ended. I 15. 11 l 0

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After a few hours, we came in sight of Tolchester, and all crowded to the bow to get a glimpse of the place which for two weeks was to be our home. As we approached the wharf, we got our first view of the place. Situated on a high bluff was a typical summer resort, and to the left of it, in a large field, were long rows of brown tents which had been set up by the advance guard. - i Upon reaching the wharf, the battalion was formed and marched up to the camp. 'All the excursionists had returned to Baltimore, the Beach was deserted, andin the grow- ing darkness the camp appeared extremely uninviting. After we had been assigned to our respective tents, the Quartermaster gave each man a long sack, and instructed him to fill it with straw from a nearby shed. These sacks, with about enough hay to whet the appetite of ahealthy mule, were to constitute our beds for the coming fortnight. It was a strange sight, to see a long line of fellows, coming from the hay rick, each dragging his bed-behind him. The appearance was similar to that of a cullud gentleman returning after a particularly lucrative- session with the hen coops. The lazy members of the bat- talion were very much in evidence, for many a weary youth returning to his tent found an empty sack instead of the well filled one which he had left there. ' A - At half past ten, the efforts of the boys to adapt themselves to theirbeds began. The oldest campaigner would find it somewhat difficult to keep his head and feet on .a sack five feet long, so picture the dismay of one hundred and fifty youths when thisproblem confronted them. But as needs must when the devil drives, the problem was at last solved by applying the principle of a jack knife. T 1 It seemed that our tired heads had hardly touched the bed before the blare of the bugle was heard calling us out. It was not necessary to dress for roll call, so some of the costumes were extremely primitive. After roll-call, every one went over to the nearby pump for a morning splash, except the lucky chap who could bribe his comrade to bring back a basin of water when he returned from his bath. Then breakfast, and the cleaning, rolling up, and inspection of tents 5 hospital call, and shortly afterward guard mount, when the old guards were relieved and the new ones posted. At half past ten, company drill took place and then followed an intermission till dinner. After dinner, battalion drill was indulged in until everybody was heartily sick of camp life, but it is remarkable how quickly our spirits rose when we were dismissed and the gentle toot of the toy railroad announced that amusement was to be had-for the price. Dress Parade at 6.30, and supper imf mediately afterward ended the day, and, when taps sounded at half past ten, it was a pretty tired lot that tumbled into bed to spend the night in peaceful snoring. So much for the work in camp. -There was pleasure too-ah! such pleasure. How often we strolled through the grounds of Tolchester, attracted hither and thither by the harmonious screeching of various steam' pianos, calliopes, or brass bands. Some, yielding to the charms of Terpsichore, entered the dancing hall, and, accosting some fair maiden, 161