University of Massachusetts Amherst - Index Yearbook (Amherst, MA)

Page 21 text:

THE INDEX. r J , ., ,.k5-c X AST comes ' 78. For the first time it devolves upon us JJ, to contribute to the Index. Our class, numbering zKy- twenty-six, is called avery good one. Brazil and North - Carolina are represented in our class, as well as Connecticut and New York. The rest are Massachusetts boys. As the days and weeks roll by, we are becoming more closely surrounded by the ties of friendship; a friendship which, we trust, will endure and grow stronger through our college course, and prove a mutual benefit in after life. We like our professors very much indeed, and we shall en- deavor, by attendance to study and by scholarly conduct in general, to merit their love and good will. Our class acquits itself nobly in the field, having studied Practical Agricul ture in several important branches, relating particularly to the drainage of soil and harvesting of crops. At the board- ing-house several of the class exhibit great capacity for food as well as for knowledge. Following in the footsteps of my illustrious predecessor, the Communicator of ' 77 last year, I must say something about our success as rushers. The Sophs put some of our number to bed on the second night of the term, which naturally aroused our feelings; so a few nights later we challenged ' 77 to rush. At first the Sophs rather thought that they carried one Gun(n) too many for us, but by some chance or other ' 78 got the rush and still the Sophomores were not happy. We then tried a game of ball. The Freshies were the winners by a gratifying score. A second game ended in favor of the Sophs by a single run. They were happy.

Page 20 text:

THE INDEX. of class emblems we are somewhat behind hand, but this will soon be remedied, and we shall see eiehteen men shining: in new pins. On returning at the commencement of this term, we were sorry not to meet the face of Prof. Peabody, who, though not appreciated by all, was a thorough and hard working man. He will be remembered by us all, and he has the respect, if not the affection of every one. We welcome his successor, and hope by his aid to go deeper in the dry depths of Chau- venet. ' 78 enters a larger class than we did by five. We are glad that there is an increase in numbers. We had hoped and ex- pected a larger difference; they seem to have been well trained at home and retire early for the most part. Two, however, needed some advice and solicitation on this point, and what was more befitting in us having known by experience, which is the best course, than to go and offer them the benefit of our former practice. We look upon them as a good set of fellows, and we hope that the pleasant state of feeling existing at pres- ent between the two classes may continue through all our stay in college. And now, classmates, let us remember that we are at work for the future. We must keep in mind that we are to aim AT THE highest; in carrying out our motto we must not be satisfied with the attainments of the present, but strive to reach the highest mark in our calling : to do this requires time and labor, and he who would have the best success must not harbor for a moment the spirit of lethargy. What more fitting couplet can we have to go with our motto than that of Longfellow ' s: Still achieving, still p rs ing, Learn to labor and to wait.

Page 22 text:

THE INDEX. Now all class feeling seems lo have subsided and our indi- vidual relations with the men of the upper classes are very pleasant. May they so remain as long as ' 78 remains in M. A. C. Year by year may those foolish things, class enmities, die out and be forgotten. Let us hope that, when the next Index comes around, our ranks may retain their present number, each one stronger and wiser and better fitted to go onward and upward. Let us consider, too, that although we begin as young Fresh we may, before we arrive at the Senior year, become old salts in the ways and by-ways of college life. C.