University of Santa Clara - Redwood Yearbook (Santa Clara, CA)

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THE REDWOOD. unselfishness in action and his bravery in carrying out his convic- tions, that was the real secret of his popularity. To be popular among university students, one must be a good fellow and at the same time be ignorant of the fact himself. Such was the case with Bob. It was no wonder that the Inseparables talked long of him and that a silence fell on the gathering when the subject was exhausted. Soon however Doc Dirk introduced a new topic by calling attention to a freshman who was lounging on a bench near at hand. If that isn ' t a small edition of Bob, I ' m no judge of looks, he remarked, turning around to get a better view of the lad ' s face. Attention was directed that way, and the freshman, noticing it hastily got up and walked towards the end of the yard. There was indeed a great resemblance. He was shorter by perhaps an inch and would tip the scales at about 175, fifteen pounds lighter than Bob, but he had the same broad shoulders, tapering to his well formed legs, the same strong white neck, the same erect inde- pendent carriage that made Bob Arden a distinguished figure anywhere. There was also a resemblance in his face. His jaw was square, though relieved by the faintest sign of a dimple, his forehead board and high enough to give it character, and his mouth curving upward in either corner showed his fun-loving dis- position. But his eyes were his chief charm; grey, sharp, laugh- ing eyes, that could blaze in sudden anger or soften in pity. They had that indefinable clear limpidness that shows a perfectly con- ditioned body and clean, healthy life. Altogether he was a good specimen of a college youth — well set-up, intellectual, cheerful. As he turned the bend in the walk, amid the general affirma- tion of the Doctor ' s remark Jack exclaimed, At all events he is the makings of a football player, if ever I saw one. He ' s built for it and if he isn ' t a whole bank of sand I miss my guess and the treats to a French dinner on me. Jack had hardly finished his hasty judgment of the freshman when the big bell sounded an- nouncing the lunch hour and in a few moments ranks were formed beneath the old veranda. Two days later the first football rally of the year was held on the campus. All day the Seniors and Juniors had been preparing for it and a general sense of excitement was everywhere. In the

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THE REDWOOD. dies announced to the quiet town-folk that they had come. Old Roman was there gathering their checks, and he smiled with a good natured smile of welcome to the old boys and looked scrut- inizingly at the group of strangers who were waiting for some of the wise ones to start the march Collegewards. It was but a short distance to the campus and the boys hur- ried along in groups of two or three, for the most part, and soon realized that they were back for another year. The new comers stood aside and admired the spirit and jollity of their future com- rades, contrasting it with the spirit of former colleges. Jack Demerrit, the yard leader, had already attracted a goodly crowd of students and arrangements were made for a general dis- cussion among the Demerrit clique as to the prospects for the com- ing year. At an early hour in the afternoon the ' Inseparables ' (such was the name afl xed to Jack ' s coterie) gathered together at the old oak which for years had been the sanctum of the yard leading faction. For fully an hour they sat beneath the wide spreading branches, planning and plotting as only students can for the year ' s work, telling their vacation experiences and lament- ing the loss of old friends, till at length the all-absorbing topic of footballl was begun. All the ' ' Inseparables except Doc Dirk whose penchant was for things less strenous, were players of more or less efficiency. Three of the six were entitled to wear the white L, while the other two were considered promising candi- dates for the same mark of distinction. So it was natural for such a gathering to discuss football possibilities. They talked about the old players who were left and about the new material, until the conversation was turned to those who would no longer don the the padded armor in the battles for Laguna ' s honor. Frank Nunn and Bob Arden, their late leaders, were the principal heroes who came up for consideration. Of the former they spoke long and affectionately. He had been a true friend to them, as we have seen and they deeply regretted their loss, for Frank was not to re- turn to Laguna. But it was of Bob Arden that the longest and highest enconiums were spoken. Bob had been one of the most popular fellows Laguna had ever seen. A football and baseball star, a crewman and a debater, he was admired by all. It was however his goodness of heart, his

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THE REDWOOD. center of the campus a huge pile of tarred boxes and great sticks of wood marked the sight of the bonfire, the bandstand was decked in gala hangings of green and white, while near the stand a plat- form had been erected for the speakers of the evening. Seniors, Juniors and Sophomores had chosen their respective leaders, their songs and class hats; but the Freshmen had come together too re- cently to attempt any regular organization. At dusk the crowds began to gather and the town -folk swelled the ranks anxious to watch the wild and animated celebration. The stars had just begun to put in an appearance when the different class leaders advanced with torch in hand to the pyre, around which all had now assembled. The faculty representative of the Freshmen applied his torch to a fuse that was connected with the shavings in the interior of the pile, and in a few moments the flames played redly around the base until suddenly coming in contact with the kerosene it clothed the immense heap in one ma- jestic flame, that drove the gathering shadows back to the shelter of the trees. The band struck up a lively air and from each of the four sides rushed a living catapult of boys who surrounded the fire and danced as madly and as wildly as savage Indians. Chaos reigned until, the Seniors leading, ordered ranks were formed for a grand march. It was a delight to watch the enthusi- astic youths marching about now two and two, now in fours and again in single file in the lockstep movement; shouting and sing- ing and cheering like madmen. In serpentine evolutions they hoisted the white, blue and red hats of the different classes, alternately passing within the circle of light, while the Freshmen, unable to form suitable ranks swelled the clamor from without. At length they swung round towards the bandstand and at a signal from the leaders all was quiet. The musicians soon interrupted the silence by suddenly sounding forth ' %aguna for Aye. The baton rose in air and the whole body sang in perfe ct unison the spirited college melody, composed last year by Bob Arden himself. When the last lines were finished every hat was sent high into the air and wild cheers broke out anew, lasting for several minutes, until the faculty re- presentative made bis appearance on the platform. He was a man who long since had donned the toga of seriousness, but who