Loyola University Maryland - Evergreen / Green and Gray Yearbook (Baltimore, MD)

Page 11 text:

(HeiJroduced.hij courteau of Baltimore American FATHER ZIEHLEK SAYING MASS FOR A GROFF OF LOYOLA BOYS AT FORT COVINGTON, BALTI ilORE not “soft stiitf” — we feel that you’re really with us, that “Loyola isn’t forgetting them.” And that magic word “late-slip!” In a wreath of smoke I can picture two or three “last minute-men” hopping olf a St. Paul street car, as it slides hy the Monument street entrance, take three steps at a time and just reach the B. V. M. statue as the old cloister clock dongs nine. And all the crimes that were charged against the traction com- jiany must have made Ananias turn over in his grave as we filed hy your desk and told of the blocks and .wrecks and hroken switches and short circuits that the trolley othcials never seemed to hear of. And I wonder if ntiu know who holds the record for using the same late-slip the most times, when some ahsent-minded Father or “Mister” left it in his desk during recess, thereby placing temptation in the way of youth. “Not much information to give about the old jilace” you say. I don’t suppose it has changed much since the days we spent there- new faces, pcrhajis, hut the same sweet environment, the same old siiirit, and the same high ideals. Ah, yes — there is no Father K to wake you from jileasant day dreams of last night’s doings at the Social Club, Avith the casual remark, the while he very calmly jiolishcd his s])ccs, “So-and-so, I haven’t heard the dulcet tones of 3 0111’ melodious voice 9

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ffipttPrH from ICagola iBoga tn tijp § pniirp Atlanta, Ga. Regarding iny “fling” at army life, I am enjoying it very much. After all, it is just what a fellow makes it. There are discomforts here which we have not been used to and some hard work, but that is wliat juakes it worth while; and this is one case where the end justifies the means: “Gordon to Berlin” is our slogan. I was assigned to the Training School yesterday with the rest of the candidates; the greater j)ercentage of the men were picked from the men in the camj) with a few civilians here and there from nearby Southf ' Tii Colleges. Five sergeants and a private were chosen from my old company which was a comparatively high percentage. Two or tliree were the most picked from the other organizations, while some were not represented at all. The three months’ grind will start to- morrow, and the competition promises to be very keen. Second lieu- tenancy will be the highest commission conferred. I feel confident that I can make it, provided I am not re-examined on my eyes and rejected on that ground. I have just barely squeezed through heretofore on my eyesight and I am in fear that thej may reconsider me. But I won’t iry to cross that bridge until I come to it. I could write two or three more pages of camp “dope,” but I don’t know where to begin and anyway I’m sure your time is well occupied otherwise than in reading my scroll. I had hoped to pay you a visit while at Camp Meade but I was moved too suddenly. You will excuse this scribbling Father: pen and ink are not always available here. Henry E. Scam.on. A most welcome letter was the one I received from you today and a unique one too — unique in its effects. It was the source of a most pleasant reverie after I read it on a quiet Spring Sunday, while stretched out on my bunk, gazing up at the two by ten roof beams. Remi- niscence is not always an enjoyable or profitable pastime in the army — not much time for it in the first place, and again it brings on all the symptoms of acute “Siiring fever” and “Army blues,” when we start to hark baek to the good old days which passed all too quietly and before we realized bow good they were. And that’s why I say your letter was unique: it was not the occasion of hook-worm or that Monday morning wash-day feeling. Why, how could it be? “All the Fathers remember you in their Masses and prayers and are sure that you’ll be a credit to a college that’s proud of you.” Encouragement like that gives a fellow enough “pep” to jump over the moon, because we know it is 8

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for two days i)arsc all Iho verbs in the first two lines of Mr. Deinos- llienes’ ‘De Corona. ' And is Fr. Henry Me. still torturing the minds of America ' s prides and hopes with sines and logarithims and equations and atomic weights, as in days past, when “still we gazed and still our wonder grew that one small head could carry all he knew?” So Baltimore didn’t have the old Gold and Blue on the court this past season to show her how hasket-hall should he played. But the reason for it does her proud — her hoys are playing in a more serious game, and with the same good sportsmanship. Here’s luck and good wishes to the High School youngsters who are upholding her past traditions. And Mr. Lapsley is still on the job, proud in his guardianship of the service-flag. Well, in view of his new dignity, I can forgive him for the many times he “bawled us out” for disturbing his afternoon siesta by ringing the main door hell. The fair sex, too, you say, bless their hearts, are doing their hit in the war game — just another manifestation of the benignant spirit that Loyola fosters. And oh, don’t we all thank them — they’ll never know how much their caressing hands have lightened a gloomy face here and raised a drooping shoulder there. Seven 3 ' ears sinee I “pulled out” from the old college. Honestly, it doesn’t seem that long, Father. But “time will ehange most any man.” I know all the Fathers are anxious to hear how we are faring, now that we are no longer of Loyola’s brood, at least not sheltered by her ])roteeting wing. No need to worry — the ideals she nurtured in our souls have not faded, nor has the example she set us been dimmed. Events that have happened sinee we first “horned into the service” are still fresh in our memories and I suppose we could have quite a “pow-wow” on army life if we could well get together. Well do I recall the day when the first 40 per cent, of our district entrained at Philadelphia, amidst the blare of hands and the sorrow and gladness of sobs and cheers. “Butcher, baker, heggerman, thief, doetor, lawyer, Indian chief” — all were there. This fellow with a New Testament in his hij) pocket, another a pack of cards and the next one a half ])int. Yes, quite a conglomeration was the first 40 per cent. With a final shrieking of whistles and peeling of hells and waving of liandkerehiefs, we ])ulled out from the Chestnut St. station and at last were on our way to the much talked of cantonment. Outside of hand wavings and sliouts to take the natives as we dragged through station after station, and sj)eculations as to what camp life would he like when we got tliere, and the ([uelling of a few boisterous sj)irits, whom final imhihings (frcHjuent and large because they were to he the last for a rattier indefinite period) liad made over patriotic, or garrulous, or jiugnacious — outside of all this — the trip to Meade was uneventful. 10