Louisiana Polytechnic Institute - Lagniappe Yearbook (Ruston, LA)

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Mid-Term Glass History Since the dawn of man’s creation, the events of his life have been slowly making records that will last through all the ages. But the world is now on the threshold of a new and mighty era, and well may all Americans rejoice that they were born in this the twentieth century. The rise and fall of nations, the great and heroic deeds of men and women of mature years, have been the theme of the historians since history began; but now 1 am going to tell of seven boys and maidens whose achievements will without doubt be the guide for those now in the world and also for generations vet to be born. Knowing the passion of the people of this town and also of our beloved President, for illustrated or moving picture shows, I have sought to come down to their plane of living and give them a glimpse into the lives of truly great men and women of the present time. Had I been gifted with the powers of Raphael I would have made the scene worthy of the occasion, but since this is my one missing talent, I shall ask you to kindly bear with its defects and try to appreciate the sentiment behind the scene. Now, in order that you may know us as we were, so that you will be able to appreciate the finished product, I shall turn back the curtain of time to four years ago. At that time there was a large class, of which we are the survivors; but even at that early date only seven faces stood out prominent. Words piled up mountain high would not be sufficient to tell of that forlorn, deserted and homeless feeling in these seven little hearts, and of their longing for mother and the tender helpfulness of the strings of her old checked apron, when these babes, as it were, stood for the first time within these dear old walls, as students. This in a feeble way portrays their innocent feelings of the importance of the situation. (See illustration, page 27.) Age has caused many changes since Father Time first turned his hour-glass, and this is true in our history. More than a year has passed since our first scene, and the mystic number, seven, arc gradually launching out on the great ocean of learning. If one should judge the ability of a student by the size of the pack of books that he carries from room to room during the first years at school, then the world would not be surprised at the prodigies which this class has produced. No matter what the circumstances or what the environment may be, where two or more persons are associated together there is always one who becomes the acknowledged leader of that society. This is true of our class; for at that early period we chose unani¬ mously Tmr President, who was then, as now, the dear old Nell, who was never known to be cross or unkind to anyone. Even at that early date she realized that the goddess of beauty had not been lavish with her magic wand; but her classmates had all discovered the hidden treasure, the golden character, which timidly shrank from the public eye, so we chose her for our leader. Even the best of us are not invulnerable, and she had a passionate longing to serve dainty luncheons, of her own manufacture, to her faculty favorites. One day she and Jena, the tot who on the first morning came with her banana in hand, decided to serve in grand style. The table was spread with extra care and every 26

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thing was ready. Nell, in her eagerness to do the right thing, upset the water tumbler and cried about it until it took us all to comfort her. I have heard of tears over spilled milk, but this is the first time I ever saw them shed over just a simple glass of water. Once not so far removed into the dreamy past, our beloved and dignified Marion lost his dignity so far as to actually run down these ancient and majestic halls. As he neared the back entrance a great, merciless bird swooped down upon him and carried him away in his cruel clutches to his grim and horrible nest. Poor Marion! we were doubtful of his fate, and with bated breath we anxiously waited to learn of his doom. After a few hours he returned to us, and since that day he has worn a sad, solemn expression. There is only one serious member in this great assembly of master minds, and that is Cora. She is the maiden who tries to solve the problem of evolution and is especially inter¬ ested in man’s origin. At times she is ruled by involuntary action of the will and not by reason. It has been said that history repeats itself, but in this particular instance I hope it will never prove true. Last year on that memorable first of April a little tragedy was enacted within the Dormitory walls. Cora, our fair member, had swept away the bonds of restraint, as had all the rest of the class, and had celebrated her birthday as she thought proper by innocent fun at the old Chautauqua grounds. But like all other good things it came to an end, and when the slanting rays of the evening sun announced that the day had ebbed away it found her wandering footsteps nearing the sheltering walls of this her Alma Mater. Things went very well till she was in her own dear little room that night, when all at once a spectre appeared to her, and announced her doom. Cora looked down from her superior height upon the apparition, and with pleading- voice begged for mercy. Will, the true and brave spirit that he is, has always faced work with the heroic resolution to do or die. As a class we have a warm place in our hearts for him, and we girls always know that he has his pockets stuffed with gum, with which we have eased many a difficult task in days gone by. But when he speaks we bow before his extraordinary powers, for it is with the wisdom of the great lawgivers that he offers his words of counsel; it flows forth as from a boundless ocean, and we can but reverence his mighty gifts. But every morning he uses one hour to curl his hair, and if he could overcome some of his vanity he—well, he would be the star of the mighty seven. Since remotest antiquity, size of stature has never been the measure of man ' s intelli¬ gence, and certainly not of woman’s. If size had been a specified requisite for citizenship, Louisiana would have lost one of her proudest citizens. Jena, the dwarf of our class, is gifted with a wonderful mind and has in her keeping the invaluable faculty of a great and fantastic imagination. She can weave most wonderful stories, whose woof and webb have their origin in her own fertile brain, and for hours she has entertained the class, especially in the English department, by pouring into Mr. Collins’ sympathetic ear her great and heroic deeds in class work in the little past just behind us. But we knew the ruse and we thank her, for it was a sure means of delivering us from the hands of the enemy; for while he drank in her gentle words he let glide the hour of our work. She has not learned the golden lesson of humility, and sjie holds her head high in the air when passing along the halls and from room to room. 28