Elmhurst College - Elms Yearbook (Elmhurst, IL)

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THE YOUTH OF MR. CLASS OF 1914 SOON the steady and ever onward march of time will have brought Mr. Class of 1914 to the end of his so- journ at Elmhurst College. It will bear him on its mighty course and leave behind all that has been dear to him, ex- cept what his memories and this book will preserve for him. Once, as the doleful thoughts of parting with his dear old home were troubling him, he requested me to write the story of his life at Elmhurst College. At first, realizing my inability, I was reluctant to accept this honor, but fin- ally consented after he had shown me how impossible it was for him to write it himself. On September 1, 1909, a great event took place at Elm- hurst College. A son was born, who shortly afterwards was christened Cla.ss of 1914. He was indeed a very promising infant. Providence had prudently entrusted him to the care of such men as Director Irion and Pro- fessors Breitenbach, Brodt, Lueder, and Stanger. These guardians gladly took charge of this new-born son and soon learned to know his different idiosyncrasies and moods fully realizing his life was undergoing a constant change and that a gradual and progressive development was es- sential to his welfare. They soon discovered that he had an almost insatiable mental appetite and that his powers of absorption and assimilation were astounding. His rest- lessness at times became so perplexing that often these men consulted with each other as to the best plans for directing the infant ' s activity. It was their aim not only to develop early his mental ability, l}ut also to mould his charactei ' and make it pure, noble, and upright. They therefore tried to be Christ-like teachers, giving him a suitable at- mosphere and drawing his attention to that only which was good and uplifting. The babe grew rapidly in its preco- city. Fearing that too much at a time would only be detri- mental to his welfare, the guardians decided to give him a vacation. He was sent to distant friends to enjoy himself amid the scenes of nature. Vacation days bein g over, Master Class of 1914, who had outgrown his infancy, returned with a proud and noble air of conscious worth, as if he had a conception of the im- mense latent ability which lay within him awaiting the op- portunities to develop. His interests had broadened and his mental powers increased. It was therefore possible for the guardians to take him farther into the field of know- ledge. They called Professors Sorrick and Wilkinson to their assistance. To exercise his memory and strengthen his reasoning ability, they lavishly supplied him with such food as German, Latin, and Greek vocables, conjugations, and declensions ; noteworthy events in history, ]3ast and present ; algebraic rules and problems ; and facts concern- ing biology. During this time the child entered the storm and stress period of his life. With ,a sad and heavy heart he said farewell to two of his worthy guardians, Professors

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Class Officers President— WALDO BARTELS Vice-President— ANDREW BAHNSEN Secretary— PAUL SCHMIDT Treasurer— THEODORE HOLTORF Historian— Herman GEBHARDT Class Poet— ALFRED MEYER 14

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Lueder and Wilkinson. Two new guardians, Professors Arlt and C ' nisius, were called to fill the vacancies. Mean- while, time and gro vth advanced hand in hand. Again the guardians planned to give their son a vacation, and Master Class of 1914 was sent to distant friends. Upon his return, the guardians were pleased to meet the boy, now a youth, and gladly noted the results of tlic vacation. These were manifold. The youth had attained better jjliysical strength, new intellectual vigor, greater power of absorption and assimilation, and a wider diffusion of interest. The guardians, taking advantage of these changes, made the work more clifficidt by going deeper into the branches. The youth was, forthwith, introduced to Cjesar, who invited him to make his acquaintance. Only the eagerness to learn and augment his store of knowledge caused him to do so. But knowledge Avas not all he was seeking after. His desire for prominence and iudeix;n- dence among his brothers induced him. to take active part in the physical, social, and religious activities of the school, and establish himself as a special factor in the student body. To be distinguished from others, he selected the colors of In-own and gold to crown his triumphal march along the paths of knowledge. AVork and recreation caused the time to pass fleetly by and presently the vacation days were beckoning him to regain spent energy. The days of play and recreation took their com-se and again we find Master Class of 1914 in the old home. l?ut how different! He could hardly Ijo recognized as the youth who a short time before had put aside his books to answer the call to Nature. Approaching manhood was gradually transforming him. Xew mental and plivsical powers, new ideals and conceptions of life, and iiimiv independence had devolo|iiMl. flis views had lii ' oaili ' iied, his interest had be- come less selfish and his cliwrwclci ' . steadfast and altruistic. The work was proportionalrl increased so a,s to call forth the oiToi-ts to develop this nvw ti ' ansformation. Geometry was presented him to sti ' englben his mental efficiency ; the liistory of botb. tlie Englisb and Gei ' man literatures, to create a love for literature and to gi ' e him an insight into the formation and (levelo])ment of tlie languages; Sallust and Livy, to awaken Ins love for the old Eoman classics and to wai ' d off the possible squandering of a few spare moments ; and Xenophon and Plato to bring him in touch with the ancient Greeks. He was given the opportunity to develop his ability in public speaking. But these stud- ies still allowed him a little spare time to remain active, in the diffei ' ent phases of student life. At last the time came when the guardians decided that his remaining older ))rother must shift for himself. Master Class of 1914, in viewing the dominating and all-important air of this older brother was of the same opinion. Before his departure, though, he w as given a banquet by Master Class of 1914 to obliterate any possible hard feelings that perchance might have entered his heart. These last moments spent in each others ' company were meant not to be easily forgotten. Soon after, the old brother bade adieu and Master Class of 1914 was advised to seek again the haunts of nature. Having done this, Mr. Class of 1914 returned to the okl memorial halls to spend his last period of preparation under the paternal roof. He was now a man. With his