Knox College - Gale Yearbook (Galesburg, IL)

Page 10 text:

T0 JOHN LEONARD CONGER XVHOSE SINCERIC INTICREST AND Au'I'1vE ENIJEAVOR HAVE MADE THE BY-GONE AGES LIVE EOR Us IN A lJ1+ZEPl'1R APPRECIATIQN 014' EVERY DAY 1.1 FE ANI: Irs PossIEII,I'I'IEs AWE, THE CLASS 011' 19144 csRATEEUI,I,Y 1mEn1cA'I'E THIS TXVEN'l'Y-FOUR'l'H VOLUINIE OF THE GALE

Page 12 text:

John Leonard Conger, I A Sf1l1fl'lIf,S A 1llll't'CfIlfiUllj cv I ECI+1N'l' arrivals from high schools or from the desks of Ci gf authority in country school houses generally affect a I , LJ most superior air at the mention of History. Such a GF' 4 . , . . . , , - ,, 'xi f A topic calls forth vivid pictures ol Columbus sailing the ocean blue in exactly fourteen ninety-two and the fall of Rome. Advise a prospective Sophomore to take more History and he will look at you with all the enmity of a two year old towards a black medicine bottle. But deferentially point out to him among the choice lists of subjects the topic History required course for Sophomores and he becomes eloquent with indignation at the tyranny of unreasoning faculties. But he is led like a lamb to the slaughter and takes his place in the southwest second story corner of Old Main with a sigh of resignation. Having hastily reviewed his metrical song of dates and names he is rapturously confident of an immediate favorable impression with the professor. lVithout the least warning, a clear tone and the flash of a gray eye demand that he give the dynamic elements which con- tributed to the break up of the Roman lfllllpllf, the policies of' Charle- magne, how to raise hogs and the kings and queens of England and all their relatives since the time of Cnut. Our jaunty Sophomore is somewhat abashed. Is it any wonder that he suggests the pathetic stick floating in a murky whirlpool of ancient refuse? The state of his mind is exactly pictured by the eloquent blackboard diagram which has been in progress of erection since the opening of the hour. His attempts at recognition have been as disappointing as a half finished sneeze. John Leonard Conger has changed more false notions of history than one would believe ever existed. His impressive forefinger and his keen tongue have pointed out more flaws in a confident student's recitation than said student ever thought could be exposed in the rea- soning of a socialist. The plodding pilgrim along the deserted byways of antiquity has been thrown into the blackest depths of anguish and remorse by the professor's biting reprimand, and again he has occas- ionally soared the heavenly heights at a word of' encouragement.