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

Page 23 text:

RESHMAN year has passed, and with it many happy scenes have vanished. The mantle, which we as Freshmen wore, is an honor to Aggie and a glory to ' 82, but we have laid it aside, and may it be looked upon by those who follow us as an emblem of success. Our first year at college was by no means one of ease ; our pathway was not wholly strown with roses, for, now and then, our tender feet discovered a thistle or thorn in the way, dropped unintentionally, perhaps, by some careless hand. But now our wounds are healed, and the dark clouds of dis- appointment, which obscured for a season the youthful hopes of some, fled away when the Faculty exclaimed : Members of ' 82, come up a little higher, that you may view from your yet humble sphere the glorious realities of our intellectual superiority. The Freshman class is smaller than was expected, and one would think that they came from a land flowing with milk and honey, judging from the appetite which they have for the former. They generally indulge in a cup of their favor- ite beverage just before retiring. It is also evident that tliey must have been acquainted with the fact that body and mind need rest, for at the first they endeavored to habituate themselves to early retiring. It is hardly worth while to speak of the rush, for it would only bring to mind the unhappy feelings experienced by poor Freshie on that fatal night, When trembling with fright From the campus he came, To seek for seclusion and rest.

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14 THE INDEX, As Juniors, we naturally feel an interest in the welfare of ' 83, and are sorry to see so small a class. Surely, there must be many young men who need and desire just what our course will furnish. It is to be hoped that means will be found to bring the college to the notice of all such, so that our next Freshman class may be more numerous. We miss from our own ranks many of those who have ac- companied us over the first half of our way. With feelings ot regret at their absence, we wish them all possible success in their various pursuits. But our numbers, notwithstanding this dropping out, are increasing, and we welcome those coming from another class to adopt our standard and to sup- port our cause. In the future, as we have ever in the past, let us stand firmly united for the honor and glory of ' 81. R.

Page 24 text:

16 THE INDEX Our numbers have somewhat diminished, some having en- tered higher classes, while others have left their college home to cope with the sterner realities of life. We wish them suc- cess, and only hope that as they mingle amid the busy scenes of the world, and are loaded down with its responsibilities, they will occasionally find time to cast a simple thought for ' 82 and their Alma Mater. The work of the year has commenced in good earnest, and our success depends, as heretofore, upon hard work and close application. Classmates, let us not tarnish our hard-earned fame by unfaithfulness to duty, but rather strive more dili- gently to reach a higher degree of perfection. w.