Washington and Lee University - Calyx Yearbook (Lexington, VA)

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The Senior Academic Class. IT was one of those rainy nights when a pipe, a book and an open fire lead one into waking dreams, in which the memories of the past are interwoven with the air-castles of the future. My book I had some time since ceased to read, and now my pipe was out too, but they had been only the open sesame to the hazy land of reverie. I was now listening to the steady beat of the rain and gazing into the blazing fire. At first the images were dim and shadowy. They came as through a mist, and I knew not what it meant. I beheld mistily and dimly the figures of infants in their mothers ' arms. But even as I watched, the scene changed as the figures moved and grew more distinct. And behold ! the figures were no longer those of infants, but of little lads in knickerbockers, who laughed in glee as they ran about at play. As I looked the scene was changed again, and I saw some lads engaged in their games. Again, and they were in school at their books. Then came a scene where they parted from their former surroundings, and left sorrowfully on the train. And then came a pause. Who were these youths of my dreams? Their faces were strange to me, but there was a slight second memory of them that troubled me. I felt that I might have known them in another life. The figures come again, and this time I see the youths at College. The dimly remembered faces now become familiar and form into the well known fea- tures of my class-mates of ' 04. First I see the timid Freshman going to chapel regularly and drinking in with eager ear and easy credulity the hoary tales of the greatness of Lexington and the regions around about. Then comes the Sopho- more slouching on the scene. The credulity of his youth is gone and not yet has the wisdom of old age arrived. He is in the middle state, where he sighs to make love to maidens of uncertain age. The young girls, poor things, do not understand. They are too young and giddy. He must have sympathy from those who understand. Quick ! Out of the way, melancoly youth ; make way for the Junior. Ah ! There he comes. A pipe in his mouth, a slight fringe on his upper lip. Old age and wisdom have arrived. He is now versed in all the mysteries of this life and has grown to doubt the certainty of another beyond the grave. To him, woman is as an open book. He reads her as though she were a page of Cicero. But she amuses him and he must be amused, so he goes with her ; but sweet sixteen he prefers to any other. They are so innocent, you know ! Without the blare of trumpets now comes the Senior. Do you not recog- nize in him the one of the last three years? Yes, ' tis he, but with a change. Gone is the credulity of the Freshman and this being who has come last even dares to joke about where the best of Virginia may be found. He hints that one would have to tumi the sod to find them. The gloom of the Sophomore is gone and in its place there is the settled determination to take the world as one finds it, and not attempt to get heroics out of it. He still has the pipe of the Junior, and a moustache, perhaps. But he is wise in his day and generation, for he knows that he has read woman like a book — but as with a poney that is not the key to the woman he knows. The image of the Senior lingers with me yet awhile and memory grows busy 25

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TABB, ARTHUK, . r. X, i , S. B. C. Louisville, Kentucky Candidate for B. A. degree. Born October 20, 1881. Entered . L. U. September, ' 00. President Freshman Class. Assistant Manager Football ' 02. Manager Baseball ' OS. Vice-President of Athletic Association ' 02- ' 04. Secretary Senior Class. Thesi! : Mohammedanism. WILLOUGHBY, JERE ANDREW, Abingdon, Vii ' ginia Candidate for B. A. degree. Born Octobers, 1880. Entered W. L. U. ' 99. - Out of College ' 01-02. 2 ' hesis : Histor) ' of Treasury Surplus. WORTHEN, GEO. GORDON, A. T. A., 1., H. H. Little Rock, Arkansas Candidate for B. A. degree Born November 6, 1883. Entered W. L. U. September, ' 00. Tliesis: Our Recent Growth of Foreign Trade WILSON, WILLIAM OWEN, S. X., K. A. South Boston, Virginia Candidate for B A. degree. Born Sept. 2, 1882. Entered W. L. I ' . ' 00. Assistant Manager Football ' 02. Manager Football ' 02. President ' 04 Class ' 02- ' 0.3. Tliesia : Nature of the Railroad Problem. 24

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with tliL- one year when he moved and had liis being not in imagery, but in reality. Memories sad, and glad aiul bad — but hush ! Boys, you are safe. The image has disappeared, and who shall call it back to life again? Not I. The sprites of memory hurry me along and I can not stay their power over me. What scene is this they have brought me to? I have not seen it before. A long table spread out for many covers stands before me. As I look upon it the guests file in to take their seats. It is a merry crowd, and right well I know these banquets. It is the Senior Class of ' 04. Kight well do they set to and the clatter of knives mingles with the chatter of voices. The banquet goes on merrily, though tempered, methinks, by the knowledge that tomorrow the part- ing comes, a parting that may be eternal. They are good trenchermen, but at last comes the time for the toast. I hear them as the old familar toasts are re- sponded to, Woman, Wine, etc. Then comes the toast — standing — to The Class of ' 04. The glasses are raised and the thought comes to many there, It is the parting forever. I sii ' hed, and the sigh broke the image, so delicate it was. But other im- ages followed fast upon its heels. No longer were the images those of youths, but men had taken their places, though the likenesses were easily seen. I watched and saw them growing older beneath my eyes. Slowly I saw their hair turn gray and the walk grow less elastic. And divers were the positions of these men. There was the business man ; here an honored minister; there a railroad presi- dent; here a learned professor, an editor, a doctor, a lawyer. Memory takes the place of image, and then — Init a shock restores the images. Before me I see an open grave, and something they put in it. I look and ' l know without words that it is the last of the Class of ' 04, who is being buried. Is this the end of it all ? I ask myself But the feeling arises in me : Even if this were all, is it not enough? Is not the world better and wiser for their having lived in it? That is the true test of worth, and the thought does not cross my mind that the Class of ' 04 will fail in its duty. The ' 04 Historian. j ' ' ' - ' J. in ' £o-