Bridgewater State University - Alpha Yearbook (Bridgewater, MA)

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were models of parliamentary law and points of order. Social meetings were held under the management of the Section Committee which were models of in- nocent amusement and instructive recreation. At this period it was found necessary to cultivate the vocal apparatus of the members of the class, and our nightly efforts to render the jaw flexible, and free the tongue may account for the present remarkable volubility of some. The young ladies were also introduced to the Gymnasium that their develop- ment might be symmetrical, but the events which occurred there are a sealed book which we Qeditoriallyj, for good and sufficient reasons, have no desire to open. The connecting link between this stage of childhood and the next of ado- lescence was the circular letter written during the summer. One young man was so impressed with the adjective circular that he strove to conform with the aid of a platef, This same conscientious individual wishing to preserve the fragmentary epistles that reached him, mounted them in a note-book Qfor direc- tions in mounting such articles we refer you to the assistant teacher of Drawingj This increased the postage so much that the free circulation of the letter was somewhat hindered. Indeed it seemed highly probable that some had to wait until they could earn the required amount. The next year our benefactor of the note-book was solemnly warned and threatened with dire disaster if he at- tempted any such thing again. But that is another story. ' The third stage of our development passed without many exciting events. The beginning of each new term was marked by the mild excitement of com- mencing new subjects, and rapid quenching of one's curiosity as to their nature and bearing, e. g. Solid Geometry. All through our course we had seen the Senior classes wearing class-pins fearfully and wonderfully designed, and we de- cided that it was time for us to hang out some sign of our high standing. Many class meetings were held, designs were examined, criticized, and pronounced un- worthy, but finally one was found whose price and pattern suited our purse and our pride. We Wish to say for the beneht of inquiring undergraduates that the color of the pin does not signify verdancy, but everlasting vigor. ' Through the kindness of a resident member who perceived that we were in need of recreation and refreshment, the class spent one of the most enjoyable evenings in its existence outside of Normal. Perhaps this fact increased the general hilarity of the occasion, for we developed an amount of wit and a sense of humor quite unsuspected before. The year drew to its close and we left with regret the Chemical Laboratory where we had soiled our lily fingers with nitric acid, broken much glass, ruined many clothes, and filled up the reagent bottles for the succeeding class. NVC left with regret the Gymnasium, where we had learned to co-ordinate our move- ments that we might be able in the dim, distant future to thrash one boy with one hand and shake another by the collar at the same time. We left Livy still diseoursing in complex, compound sentences between such innocent looking C199

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HI STGRY. -wk-X-S'k'k'k-R-Rfk-BJ J-I I div! Jdvl- . 5923392239332i5SmOO:x:SQ?i3SSe66.s XB .X U: - V ,A .ww - ' 'f ' 'X ISTORY, according to Webster's International, is the record of the devel- opment of a people, race, institution, or individual. We, therefore, shall seek to lay out a retrospective panorama which shall present an unbiased account of the stages of development of Section F and the achievements and manoeuvres incident thereto. This remarkable class began its career in September, eighteen hundred and ninety-five,.having more or less successfully passed the ordeal of the entrance examinations which left many of us faint-hearted and lacking courage for the coming struggle for existence. According to Bridgewater customs, we were on the first day enlightened concerning the laws and principles of the institution of which we were a part, and were requested to sign the solemn compact with the Commonwealth which binds all the innocent, unsuspecting creatures who enter here to endeavor, so far as in them lies, to train up the young of Massachusetts in the way they should go. During this first stage of growth, when we were in our infancy, we were tenderly cared for by the faculty and broken in to Nor- mal ways. VVe acquired self possession, in fact we excel in this characteristic even to this day to such a degree that some misunderstanding ones have dared to call it by another and a harder name. X1Ve also cultivated that quality of manner so essential to the teacher, which has ever since been a distinguishing property of the section,-Enthusiasm, wild enthusiasm. We may add that this property is more obvious just before vacation than at any other time, but that fact has no especial significance. These are but two of the many attributes which make Section F unique in its way Qnot a bad way, eitherj. if In our next stage we organized and differentiated, organized formally with a magnificent constitution-much too good for everyday use-which no one but the committee who drew it up ever read. Business meetings were held which 4137

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covers. We left Hermann unter ein Baum-tree and went home to write another circular letter and show our friends the new lines in our faces. We started on our fourth year, our stage of maturity, with sad hearts, for we had been twenty-three and now we were but eight. All the rest, either from love of filthy lucre, love of teaching, or lack of love for us and Bridgewater, had left us, left us fewer, older, wiser, a notorious instance of the survival of the fittest. Only eight, the I-Iomely Eight, welfare called by unsympatbeticfand un- appreciative juniors, who ought however to be thankful we are only eight in- stead of twenty-three. And now we eight, all that are left of the noble six hundred, are about to leave our Alma Mater, Next Year,-we say, and pause. The words have a new meaning for us, we cannot use them with that delightful certainty of former years and we repeat- next year -with a feeling of awe and reverence Qopen throat, aspirated qualityb, and in our hearts thank with deepest gratitude those faithful instructors who have tried to develop in us the whole-souled teacher, and prepare us for next year.