Hiram College - Spider Web Yearbook (Hiram, OH)

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SOPHOMORE CLASS DAY, Once upon an evening dreary, while I wandered, weak and weary, Tired by many a dry and curious volume of such classic lore, While I stumbled, nearly falling, suddenly I heard a calling, As of many softly calling, calling near the school-house door, “’Tis a Freshman score, I muttered, “calling near the school-house door, Only this and nothing more. Ah, distinctly I remember, it was in the cool November, When each separate vying member, left his tracks upon the floor! Earnestly I wished the morrow; vainly I had tried to borrow From my walk release from sorrow,—sorrow for the Sophomore, For the brave and boisterous class-men, in the church, the Sopho¬ more, Famous here for evermore. Deep into the darkness peering, long I stood there, hoping, cheering, Looking, seeing sights no mortal ever dreamed to see before, But the silence was unbroken, and their progress gave no token, And the only pass-word spoken, was the whisper, “Sophomore! This they whispered and an echo murmured faintly, “Sophomore! Merely this and nothing more. Then into the church-yard turning, all their hearts with spirit burning, All remonstrance quickly spurning, onward marched they to the door. While within the three boys pounded, little dreaming they ' re sur¬ rounded, Till the church with yells resounded, as the Freshmen crossed the floor. Flow their hearts within them bounded, as they opened wide the door! Sight forgotten nevermore! 23

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looks back at this history of joys and sorrows, happiness and heart¬ aches, it is not strange that he becomes very thoughtful. Yet there is more sunlight than shadow in the picture of the past. Love has been the greatest influence in the world. It has given us our happy homes and made our lives full of gladness. And perchance, as the student dreams of the joys which have made the lives of others so blessed, his heart has a secret yearning toward that blissful state of which the poets sing. The history of the college proves that many have made their dreams real, and the question comes whether it is an advantage to the student. This is a problem requiring years of experience to solve. Each must decide for himself and then abide by the conse¬ quences. Whatever may be the condition of the student now, or in the future, it is certain that the world needs a loving life of service. 22

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Then upon the coming Freshmen, rushed the triple guard like brave- men, Met the mighty host advancing, but they floundered to the floor, For the chairs of Crum and Coy, did the Freshies, not annoy, And the raiders laughed for joy, when Webster rolled upon the floor, For his disgust he muttered, biting the dust upon the floor, “Guardsman, I’ll be, nevermore.” Now despite the fallen’s pleading, onward marching, little heeding, Go the Freshmen, Ira leading, somewhat bolder than before. Not the least obeisance made they, not an instant stopp’d or stay’d they, But with humor bright and racy, pulled the colors to the floor,— Pulled the white and golden colors from the ceiling to the floor. Deed remembered evermore. And the silken, sad, uncertain rustling, of their spotless curtain Thrilled them, filled them with a mighty anger never felt before. And the stillness now was broken, by a warning loudly spoken, “Let alone our lonely curtain,” chimed the guardsmen with a roar, ■“Though we’re lying on the floor, as sure as there’s a Sophomore, You will rue it evermore.” Bo the spoilers spared the curtain,—a deed of chivalry ’tis certain; And their visit soon was ended, but the colors off they bore, And their homeward way, they wended. Now their triumph has descended,— How the brilliant hopes of ’98, were dashed upon the floor, How their hopes and hopefuls, with a crash, were dashed upon the floor, To arise thence nevermore. But the morrow brought more sorrow, as they vainly tried to borrow, Colors for their plundered stage, so badly sacked the night before. But at last the church was ready, and performers all grew steady For the trip with tuneful Orpheus, to the dark Plutonian shore. Such a class as the Sophomore, must reach the dark Plutonian shore, To return thence nevermore. 24