Springfield High School - Capitoline Yearbook (Springfield, IL)

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Page 14 THE CAPITOLINE but mighty, to remain until you are able to present it bright with the performances of many great deeds to others who we hope will cherish and add more glories to its shining blade. FRANK ROURKE, February, ,O9. Response to Hatchet Oration Members of the Class of Mid-Year, 'oo: The class of June, ,O9, wishes to thank you all for the unceasing interest which you say you have in us. W'e certainly appreciate it. VVe have always looked up to you as a child looks up to its parents, and pardon me when I say that it was while following in your parental steps that we were led to serious trouble and disgrace. ' It has been said that we have assembled here to bury the hatchet. But has there been any hatchet? .Have we dug it up from its cold grave Where it was so honorably buried last June? It is true we tried to, but soon found that we would have to unite our forces to resist the common enemy. We have met the enemy and we are theirsf' ln this bloody battle many were sorely wounded, but we are thankful that none were lost. , We, members of February and june, ,O9, who took part in this struggle can never hope to stand as the Father of our Country stood and say, I cannot tell a lie. But we have one consolation, for we have established a precedent as a guide for the incoming hordes of barbarians. They will see where we stumbled and fell and conse- quently they will tread the narrow path. There has been no opposition between us, Mid-Year, ,0Q, as your able speaker has Ttold us. We have attended one another's social functions, February men have played side b-y side with June men on the foot ball Held, we have studied the same lessons, in the same class rooms, at the same time, from the same teachersg we both disobeyed the same rules of the school when we gave vent to our feelings of friendly class rivalry, and we both received punishment in proportion to our offense. But we have met here today to bid you all farewell, February, ,O9, to forget the past and let by-gones be by-gones. This is our love feast, probably the last we shall ever have. You are now aboutto leave us. You are ready now to step out into broader life harder battles and greater struggles, and as I speak for every member of June, ,OQ, we wish each and every one of you the greatest of success. We hope to meetyou often, in your business enterprises and socially, and hope to End you industrious and thriving. 1 The members of June, ,OQ, extend their most hearty congratula- tions to the graduating class of February, ,0Q. t WILBUR A. BoHNHoRsT, t T June, '09, I

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T1-IE' CAPITOLINE Page 13 Now even these sinners are back in their places, They've studied like-mad to keep up their paces, Now they keep step with all their classmates, Though filled to bursting seem their poor pates. Past is the grind, past are the hard places, Past our school day joys, too, and our faces Are grave. Grave as we realize how fast February, '09, will be a thing of the past. ' Nineteen happy Seniors, sitting in a row, Reach for their diplomas, their faces all laglow. Looking toward the future, the past left behind, May it prove to February, '09, very, very kind. MINNIE NELSON, February, '09. Hatchet 0f3ti0Ii June, '09, since your advent into these spacious halls of culture you have perserved a humility which betokens well of our great su- periority. Never once have you in the four years' journey across the plains ofalearning intercepted us. We will lay it to your desire for peaceful tranquility rather than your lack of nerve for the sad happy past has shown us that you are not altogether deficient there. June, '09, there has been little rivalry between us, your feelings to- wardus have always been friendly. Of course we may have had to reprove you for some thoughtless frolic or misdemeanor, but it was because we took s11ch an interest in your welfare that we did this. It is with the greatest pleasure that we recall the docility with which you listened to our teachings and the wonderful powers of adaptability you displayed in adopting the methods which our superior knowledge enabled us to suggest for your progress. How delightful it will be in the future years when you have reached to seemingly impregnable heights to remember that ours was the helping hand that reached out to guide you in laying the foundations of your destiny. Classmates of February, 1909, are you not overjoyed to behold the work of your handj Our dearest hopes have been realized. Wasl' it not with despair that we beheld the material wafted in with the breezes of February, '05. Yet just let your gaze wander over them assembled here in one vast throng and ask yourself if your work has been in vain. I need not pause for your answer for I know that you agree with me that our labors have been rewarded. ' Members of the classes of this most noted year, '09, we con- sign to its final resting place the little gleaming hatchet, diminutive

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THE CAPITOLINE Page 15 Last Will and Testament of the Class of February, '09 We, the class of February, ,O9, of the City of Springfield, County of Sangamon, State of Illinois, being of sound minds and bodies, do make and publish, this, our last will and testament, in manner and form following, that is to say: I. We, being possessed of many valuables, and certainly more than We need, do hereby bequeath and bequest to the various members of the school and- faculty, a large proportion of our great wealth. 2. llVe bequeath to the individual members of the class of June, ,OQ, our themes and examination papers which we hope. will serve you well although they did not so serve us. We bequeath to the would-be Feb' ruary, '09's, the number of Burke's Conciliation needed for the said persons, and also the briefs which will be a great help to persons in such sad circumstances. The few copies of Burke that have not been dis- posed of as aforesaid, will be raffied off and the proceeds will be devoted to maintaining an asylum for those wretched victims who in the future may go mad making long briefs. We bequeath to the staff the re- sponsibility of editing the Capitoline,' for the next five months, which we hope may reach somewhere near the standard of that acquired by the February, '09, class. We bequeath all future grumblings, cares and anxities concerning the Capitoline' staffg Furthermore, do we be- queath Room 2, with its directory of former students and its master- pieces of art engraven on the desks and also the guardian spirit of the said room who is ever willing to give helpful information to the am- bitious and industrious students and fits to the slow and lazy. 3. To the haughty and complacent juniors, we bequeath our His- ory of English Literature, a most precious book of Information and we hope your minds will be capable of assimilatintg it. Furthermore do we bequeath a year's work as profitable as that we have just finished. 4. To the present Sophmores, We bequeath our nerve and energy which will be found quite necessary in overcoming the various ob- stacles of the junior year. 5. To thee, O ye timid Freshmen, who have so recently embarked in the Scholar's can0e,'do we bequeath our seemly behavior and hurnility. 6. To the Orchestra, do we bequeath our excellent judgment of harmony, and our musical genius, which displays itself, not in volume of sound but in sweetness of tone. 7. To the Athletic Assocation do we bequeath our financial as- sistance and, our presence at the various Football and Baseball games and the Animal Athletic meets for years to come. 8. T0 the Cadets we bequeath the commanding presence of our President and the military genius of our Treasurer, who maintained by force of arms the glory and honor of ':Our Class. 9. T0 Professor Enoch H. Harrison, we generously return the Physics grades Q60 and 705, and' pray they rest not heavily on his conscience as they did on the spirits .of ,OQ. J 1