United College Collegiate - Tric Tics Yearbook (Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada)

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J. A. S. GARDNER. The story of “The Gleam” is recorded on another page, and from that may be in¬ ferred much in regard to the personality of the Editor-in-chief. But to know Sid com¬ pletely one must see him in some other of the numerous activities in which his many-sided character finds expression. Whether in the editorial chair, in the study, or on the football field, he belongs to the Honorable Company of Willing Workers, and the fact that to his varied tasks he brings splendid gifts of intellect explains the distinction he has won, not only in examinations but also in many other phases of college life. In the stirring days of his final year Sid stood out as a man of firm convictions, who was never a slave to the madness of the moment; a man of courage and moderation, whose wisdom the course of events generally justified. Yet he is not a man to impose his opinions or his leadership upon others. His friends have a far higher regard for his ability and worth than he has, and when he has accepted positions of honor and responsibility it has beeu not the result of his own ambition, but rather because people felt that he was the man whom they needed. Sid is a lover of books but not a bookworm, a serious worker without being a prig. As he completes his course his wit waxes not dim nor is his natural love of fun abated. His college chums will not forget the honors he has won for himself and his Alma Mater, but they will choose rather to remember him for his ungrudging service, his wise leadership and chiefly for his never-failing good fellowship. “Uplifted high in heart and hope are we Until we doubt not that for one so true There must be other nobler work to do.” A. W. K. D. C. GERRAND. A stalwart son of the West, Jerry first broke the stillness of the midnight air on April 21st, 1894. His early education was obtained in the schools of his home town, Virden, Manitoba, where he matriculated from the Collegiate in 1910. But thinking that “A little learning is a dangerous thing,” Jerry enrolled with the ’14 class at Manitoba College. As a member of the student body Dave always proved a willing worker and in his second year earned quite a name for himself as “ ad ” getter on the business staff of the “Journal.” Not content with so peaceful an avocation, he soon won ' a place on the Junior football team, and later acted as “guardian of the nets” for the class hockey team, only to be followed by a position on the championship rink of the curling association. But even athletics could not utilize all of his surplus energy for, although of a retiring and modest disposition, “ Jerry ” was always on deck when the services of a sage Senior were needed to admonish an unruly freshman, scramble a room or subject an obstreperous “Theoiog” to the Order of the Bath. Being one of the youngest members in the year it required the exercise of considerable ingenuity on the part of his class-mates to protect him frcm the wiles of the fair sex. That their efforts were not in vain may be seen from the fact that Dave always managed to carry off a creditable stand in his Senior year specialized in “Pol. Econ.” and History. Whatever profession he may enter we feel sure that his sincerity, integrity and perse¬ verance will win for him a highly successful career. “Whatever record leap to light, He never shall be shamed.” T. W. L. Page 74

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[rjfpifinrrj GEORGE FLORENCE. Even to the crumbs I’d fain eat up the feast—■ Ay, nor feel queasy. ’ ’ In justice to the city of Edinburgh, these remarks should be prefaced with the state¬ ment that that city has successfully established its claim to being the birthplace of George Florence. But what concerns us is the fact that in October, 1907, he dropped like a bombshell into Manitoba College, causing no little consternation, at first, among the aristocratic ranks of seniors, and later among bumptious freshmen and would-be orators. A catalogue of George’s triumphs would be tedious; besides, space is limited. But a man is seldom chosen International Debater in his final year without a pretty big record behind him. Two things will be forever bound up with George’s memory—Home Rule for Ireland and Votes for Women. He is just as certain that Ireland should have Home Rule as he is that women should not have the vote (which latter conviction he claims ' has been born of his four years’ undergraduate experience). When he has an opinion, it is always his own; he knows why he has it, and is quite able to defend it. As for logic, Bosanquet and John Stuart Mill are the merest amateurs beside him. It would be folly to attempt to forecast George’s career; all we can be sure of is that it will be a success. We believe he intends to follow the teaching profession, which means that the world will get the greatest possible return from him at the least possible expense. IP. n. q. WELLINGTON S. GABLE. He came to us in 1909 with an eager interest in all the saner branches of college de¬ velopment. He was even then fully appreciative of the importance of college training and the seriousness of life, and he was probably less given to the petty indulgences of school days than the most of us. No one, for instance, ever saw him throwing water down the stairway. In all his work he is systematic. In later years a philosophic bent became manifest in his nature, and this he has consistently followed. We are inclined to accuse the philo¬ sopher of being abstract and theoretical, but Wellington has ever an eye open to the prac¬ tical application of his findings. We have not yet forgotten his attempts, when the Fourteens were in their second year, to form a Society for the Development of Efficient Public Speaking. This organization he set on a good basis, and it must be admitted to have been an extraordinary success, when we consider the lack of interest in things worth while and the general frivolity of the class as sophomores. His constant aim has been the greatest good for the greatest number. He is an advocate of college spirit before class spirit; yet he is loyal to his class, and willingly undertakes any task assigned to him. His academic training has but begun. He will probably first take a post-graduate course, and then proceed to his Ph.D. His summers he spends in prairie schools, with a view to entering the teaching profession. W. B. Page 73

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TSa© Ammml Dimmeir The first annual dinner of United College is a memory—and a very happy memory at that. It seems, like ancient history now, hut it is that kind of ancient history which is not tiresome to recall. All those who were present—and everybody was present, except Dorey-—will find the recollection of that perfect evening at the first United dinner a joy for ever. First of all, the dinner was at the Fort Garry Hotel, specially opened for the occasion; may I be forgiven for saying it (Anyway, the Fort Garry was opened in the first week of February, our dinner took place on February 11th, so draw your own conclusion). And the Fort Garry people know how to do things. Everybody says so. We dined well, then sat back and listened to some good speeches and even better music. This is not meant to be a reflection upon the speeches, but to emphasize the excellence of the music. Needless to say, we were all happy. Give a man (and, I suppose, a woman too, though I cannot be expected to speak with authority upon that), a satisfactory dinner, luxurious surroundings, charming company, refined music, delight of eye and ear—and what more can he want here below? And I am a theologue. Well, never mind. To resume the thread of my narrative (I know that phrase was never used before), the other things mentioned made us ready for the speeches when Dr. Baird rose to commence fire. Dr. Baird made the only kind of chairman some of us like; he did not attempt to make a speech; others did all that was neces¬ sary in that line later on. The first business in the speech-making was to say what wonderful men we have for a faculty, and S. D. Chambers did this to perfection, painting the noble army of martyrs” in high colors. Then Dr. Stewart replied, and gave us a strong, statesmanlike speech on the place of the denominational college in the community. The daily papers gave the speech in full, and they size things up carefully. Q. E. D. J. H. Ash¬ down, chairman of the United Board, waxed reminiscent in his address, and also peered into the future with prophetic vision. Dr. Wilson rightly had the honor of presenting the IT’s” to the track and football teams, and then Dr. Allison proposed the toast to the winning athletic and de¬ bating teams. The grave and gay mingled in delightful fashion, sound sense in the guise of gaiety, classical and scriptural allusion in the strange company of modern slang, and an infectious good nature carrying it all off with a high hand—there, gentlemen you have it, Dr. Allison’s speech. A. O. Rose, as upright a sportsman as the College holds, responded to the toast. The last toast, but not the least (again I am original) was that to the ladies; James O. MeLenaghen was the right fellow for the job, on the principle ‘ ‘ out of the abundance ’ ’—you know the rest. Miss Gladys Haney spoke for the fair sex. She wanted the toast put higher on the programme. Too bad, when we men had thought that it was a case of the best wine being left to the last. Yes, I am great on scriptural allusions. Some people can’t help it. Now it was all over, except the yells, and when “George” led us, didn’t we yell? After that we had a scrimmage in the cloak room, found our ladies and went home in the early hours. The first annual dinner was a memory. H. D. R.