Wesleyan University - Olla Podrida Yearbook (Middletown, CT)

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Perhaps the best way to introduce the volume is to tell you right here in the beginning of our book how we began our work. It is always interesting to hear how great men do their work, and tri - . ' - 1 es ant know what their sensations are during the process. Now we don t propose to et our nam works go down to posterity wrapped in shadows, like the name and works of the late lamented lVlr Shakspere, who wrote some of our best grinds for us before his death. VVe don't propose to have Ignatius Donnelly hunting for cipher inscriptions on our tombsitones while the real ciphers lie underneath. When we found that we were severally elected to the editorial board, each one of our hearts gave a throb. So much is certain. Each editor admits that his heart gave at least one good, old- fashioned, Methodist throb. But imagine our feelings when we had our Hrst meeting. If each heart gave one throb before the meeting, they gave between three and four throbs apiece when we faced each other for the first time to elect a chairman 3 and like the disciples of old we were each saying Is it I? Is it I P Gf course it couldn't be all of us, neither could it be each of us, so we had to put it to vote. At the first trial all the ballots were written in disguised handwritings, and each man received one. We tried again, with the same result. At this a look of determination came over the teller's face, and when the returns were counted on the next ballot, he reported himself unanimously elected. His treachery was too evident, and another teller was chosen who likewise declared himself elected on the next succeeding ballot. IfVe then handed him his resignation to sign and carried a motion that no man should be allowed to vote for himself. It was carried by a rising vote, as no one dared vote against it, and at the next vote all the ballots were blanks. Neff then began making a speech, and in the course of the next two hours we were all fast asleep. Wfhile we were asleep the motion was rescinded, another vote taken, and Neff found to have the only ballot. ' When we woke up we were so pleased to have the question settled that we immediately voted to tax the juniors live dollars apiece and let Neff pay the dehcit that always hangs over Olla Podrida boards like the blade which hung over the board of lVlr. D1-ocles during his anxious dinner. Our new chairman then thanked us in a speech which he had carefully written out and committed to 4 Y -

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t w l ' pon vcowxoii Hu F f fa i ' -l is-N,-.fxf 'Nl , 1 F32 1,3-Npjfm ip. i -f I I ,K- Q s ll of 1 ' ,t flf'?F-5 sQ13Yffg'glj H,Y2l'.2fff,ftf ti,1Q,' Q.-4 f--e 5 -si . Ez e 'i' ,is +eaQgll3M't'l 'A'ff-Ufiaglii ss jp- if - - - -- . - . - 2'-' ' -,-'rr:.':sk.J-.- ,fa iff-fggff f-- wfv ffw- '- fn' I' 5,-iw, s- L ' fri'-'iff--41' ' '7-.1,-:. 'J'-,'?'2g2v2,.gaf-sffcv-P-azssh 2535- + - ,1 e - ,, -.Y-af! 5,555-,--Q ' dm aff gag Pk Pk Pk Pk Pk Pls DEAR READER, This may seem an unusual way to begin, but we use this endearing form ol address simply to express our personal interest in you, yes, you, dear reader, and that for several reasons. First, to put ourselves on that perfectly friendly and easy footing so admirably displayed in current Sunday-school literature, and to take away all embarrassment, both on your part and on our own at this our first meeting. But, secondly, and principally, our object is to arouse your interest in us by thus displaying our very evident interest in you. XVe want to interest you, if possible, right at the start, and keep you interested, amused, and instructed from start to finish. Now, as a mat- ter of fact, very few people read the introductions to the Olla Podridas first, and many skip the intro- duction entirely. People are always seeking for introductions to prominent and attractive persons, and it is a well-known fact that they fairly tumble over each other in their eagerness to get introcluc- tions to Olla Podrida editors, yet the introductions to the Ollas themselves arepassed coldly by Without a glance. It is a sad thought, and we thankyou heartily for having read thus lar. 3

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memory beforehand. W'e intended to print the speech in this book and sell it as an opiate, but we found that we should have to crowd out everything else except one of the Hy leaves, so we sold it to a gas company. The Qlla Podrida, as a year book, has to chronicle many things which are sad, many things which are gay. Some of the events of the year we regret, some we rejoice in, and some we laugh atg and while we aim to record them all faithfully, it is to the latter that we more especially call your attention, for as the poet says Fools are my theme, let satire be my song. Yet we trust that our satire may not be without proht, and that the old longing O wad some power the giftie gie us To see oursels as ithers see us. It would frae mony a blunder free us And foolish notion, will find an answer in this volume. W'e insert nothing in a spirit of malice or ill-will, but with the hope that some will Find their folly reliected and profit thereby, and that others will laugh and grow fat. Sincerely your friends, Tue QLLA Ponlnnix Bofxnn. fl--5 it to -151 .-f ' 'gp fir rs A ,g r 2 52,131 W7 5