Stevens Institute of Technology - Link Yearbook (Hoboken, NJ)

Page 32 text:

. I lm. LU wmcsl ,hc UNC ball 5uP,.c,,mCy xvilh '93, Pondering over the score, 93-13, 92 8, I l IC 3 D ' ' ' , :UT will wm.inCC ,hc ,MN doubting 'l'honias 'l of the truth that fools enter where angels dare not QC ICVU ' ' ' tread. The result could have been anticipated, for as Pope says, Ut all the causes that conspire to blind M:tn's erring judgment and misguide the mind, What the weak head with strongest bias rules, Is PRIIJIL-the never-failing vice of fools l The visionary mist of glory that surrounds their lacrosse victory is dissipated when 'tis known that our sole motive for playing that game was to be of benefit to others. Before that gamethalf of our team never handled a stick, and the other half played merely to help the Athletic Association along in at linancial way. '92 always surrounds their deeds with such an amount of jaw-bone that it is hard ln glean the truth, but it may be said in passing that all their victories and conquests 'i like glow-worms, afar off shine bright, But, looked too near, have neither heat nor light. I Passing ruthlessly over the elysian joys of holiday and the ecstatic companionship of our sum- mer girl. we tinrl ourselves entering with dignity and a just sense of our worth upon our Sophomore rear. We arrived in Hoboken and immediately proceeded to the 'Stute. Yes, it was the same old building we saw and we trod the same halls as of yore, but what was that motley crowd of strange beings huddled together, their timorous eyes and gaping mouths plainly showing that they were not students? These Hcreaturesi' were indeed uncouth looking objects, with their carefully parted hair, and a look as if something after the style of a blotter was wanting under their chins. Our thirst for knowledge led us to the 6' Pierian Spring, alias O. W. J., and, upon accurately describing to him the objects of our wonder, he cogitated deeply, then said in tones of contemptuous certainty born of experi- ence, 'i'1'hem? Oh, them's freshmen. How much one does forget in a few short months! Freshmen? We certainly had heard that name before, and further anxious inquiry developed the astounding fact that they were a species of germ arriving annually at the Institute, who, in time, under the fostering care of Sophomores, were apt to develop into full-fledged students. Now these , not from any inherent quality, but solely owing to their presence. To allay the irritation consequent upon association with these things, there were two methods applicable, either annihilation or subjuga- tion. We chose the latter method as being the ffl ' ' ' ' ' ,O most e cacious and gratifying, for if we exterintnated them, that ended the matter, but if we only subdued them, why there they were, a visible and conclu- sive testimony of our supremacy. The sub-method of dealing with these things, collectively designated as ,94., we called, after discarding all superfluous and bombastic Latin phraseology, sitting on them. This method may perhaps not be acceptable to Pasteur, Koch, or other benighted European scientists, germs were .annoying 28

Page 31 text:

S0090 01112 Et3'r0R . X,-ya? reg ' 2: - ., tt . ., ,,.-g .643 , .ana A '- -ff 'f . 1- ,. f-- -A 2.10 N X 491.992 :yy f yay . Q tion of Independence, that all men are created equal holds true Like many other wise and truthful sayings, this phrase has passed from the condt tion of ft positive statement to that of an almost equally positive tule Another statement of equal truth is that there is no rule urthout llb exception and, coming from the General to the particular, I can modestlx say that the glorious Class of 93 is a shininff and conspicuous exception to the law that N- I J -ENERALLY speaking, the statement of thatimmortal document, 4' The Declara- Fi 5 ' H v . - . t . 7 7 awzf ' ' ' - if ', . 1? 'ia-. ig ' , .. ' Str ' . . . . . I1 - t F 35:2 -t E - . . , . Af fat' i!Q- F1 V if .' - . . if o .5 . ' , 2 ' X uf I , ll X Q fl x, t 'O l t all men are created equals, for our peers are yet to be born. The truth of this seemingly rash opinion is apparent to all those who have the good for- tune to know the original afffrrefration of brain and brawn that composes our matchless class. We ' an of likewise have the honor of being the sole exception to there being 't nothing new under the sun for that flaming orb neler shone before on such an unabridged edition of originality, wit, and wisdom as is vulgarly called the Class of l93. This little prelude to the history proper is not intended for any self-glorihcation, for our class needs none to sing its praises, but to merely inform you in unmistakable terms who they are whose history you are reading. I am aware that some of the above candid lines may be misconstrued by a few, but remember that, though superior to the average run of mortals on this mundane sphere, we are still human, so, kind reader, if excuse is necessary, pardon us, for, The love of praise, l1owe'er concealed by art, Reigns more or less and glows in every heart.', Though this is intended for a Sophomore history, I do not think it will be amiss to revert to our third term freshman and mention a few incidents that then occurred. Early in the spring of 'go some malicious friend whispered to guileless ,92 that they had material enough to warrant them enter- 27

Page 33 text:

but is thoroughly efficacious in cases analogous to the one under consideration. For a precise and accurate definition of our method I would refer you to any convalescent freshman. To fully demonstrate our confidence in this method we allowed about iwo-!hz'7'1z'.v of our class to adjourn to the Cricket Grounds to participate in what was intended for the annual rush between the Sophomore and Freshman classes. The other third of our class, who were at the time either studying or indulging in similar forms of mild dissipation, were overjoyed at the result, though 'twas not more than they expected, and to tell the truth, than the Freshmen themselves anticipated. So trial No. I of our method proved a howling success. Shortly afterwards, a few of the germs being somewhat resuscitated presumed to hang up a tin flag in defiance of our positive orders to the contrary. The artistic manner of our decoration of the same with green paint would have given poor Michael Angelo Qhad he been livingj a severe and prolonged attack of professional jealousy. The next thing was the theatre party 5 but there were a couple of things on the programmes that didn't exactly coincide with '94's views of what ought to be. The Freshman historian will no doubt gloss over this event, considering it one of the things 'twere better not to dwell onf' The theatrical company had the honor, each and every one of them, of wearing our colors, and the inimitable Corinne was graced with one of our red caps of victory. It would have tickled a wooden Indian to death to notice the look of utter discomiiture depicted on the countenances of Mamma's Darlings that event- ful night. This dolefulness was due to the promiscuous and conspicuous display of their title on the ozc!sz'a'e of the programme, whilst we as usual were in it to the tune of our class yell. Didn't it look pretty printed in red ink on the zrzsizie of the programme? 'Tis said, and I believe the tale, that the Thespian who so naturally imitated the Freshman kiss was warned, if he gave away any more of their generic characteristics, that the Freshman Mafia would honor him with a hypotlermic injection of cold lead. Ihave it also on good authority that, besides being charged only half-price for admittance to museums, circuses, etc., they enjoy the other infantile privilege of paying only three cents car fare. Truly, this world is merciful, though many pessimists vehemently assert the contrary! After these many humiliations the Freshies unanimously decided to go in mourning. They dis- played their sorrow by wearing black caps with an appropriate dash of our red, in order to show to all to whom belonged the honor of reducing them to such an undignified and dolorous depths of innocuous desuetudef' Mourning surely becomes them, though 'tis a pity that their iridescent visions of great- ness should so soon be dispelled and such tender sprouts suffer so much sorrow. Before dismissing the Freshmen I would ask them to remember there is a destiny that shapes our ends, rough-hew them as we may, and '93 being that destiny there is no use kicking at any actions prompted by our exalted will.. Being, as I said, their destiny, we shall so exercise its prerogatives that, when our almamater sees us no more, they will bless us, saying, XVc are stronger, we are better, Under manhood's sterner reign. 39