Worcester Polytechnic Institute - Peddler Yearbook (Worcester, MA)

Page 15 text:

THE ANTENNA. . 11 Heretofore as the patient reader has doubtless perceived, nothing very eventful has come to pass, but toward the end of the lecture course came an occurrence which can only be classed as eventful. What follows is intended to be an unpreju¬ diced account of an affair which resulted most disastrously to the class, and the participation in which they have undoubtedly repented of, with many tears. The affair occurred in April, at the close of the last lecture of the Geology course. ’75 took it into its head to appear at the lecture in “ plugs,” and probably thinking that ’76 would not allow the innovation to pass unnoticed, armed themselves with huge “ bangers,” and from appearance of those captured thev would seem to have been selected with great care and for this special occasion. ’Tis true the hats were some thirty years ' or more behind the prevailing style, but then, ’twouldn’t do to lose good ones. The lecture over, they passed clown stairs and were met by ’76 as they entered the street. Immediately they formed in hollow square and settled down into a now-come-on-if-you-dare kind of an air. Nothing in the way of attack being offered, they took up the line of march for Main street. They marched in good order for some distance, when, tout a coup , smash went a hat over the ears of one of the benighted ’75s. This was the opening gun for a scene most lively. ’75 immediately began to ply the u bangers” on the devoted heads of ’76, who imme¬ diately began to close in upon them so that affairs were soon at their liveliest. Hats were falling, canes flying, police looking complacently on, town small boys shouting and seeming to enjoy the proceedings immensely. ’75 still worked hard, but it was useless,—na} ' , worse than useless, and soon were seen unmis¬ takable signs of distress ; calls of “’75 this wa} r ,” “Give it to them,” “Stand off,” etc., were heard, but, as we have said, it was useless, and soon was begun a retreat. ’76 then magnani- imously desisted from any further attacks, but the “ townies,” who had been looking on all the while, thinking it a glorious op- portunity to have some excitement, began to crowd around them, and besides were very unceremonious in their ways of dealing with mankind as embodied in the class of ’75, W. T. I. They, ’75, however, stood it for a short time, but, not seeming to enjoy that kind of sport, started again on a retreat, this time going

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10 THE ANTENNA. General Register. When quite late, the Senior Committee on Class History, consisting of onl} four members, individually realized the utter impossibility of contributing to this department. From a 76 point of view. In some respects, the past year has been an eventful one for ’75. Not that the class has beaten “ out of sight” all preced¬ ing classes of the Institute, which delicate point must of course be left to the cold judgment of outsiders, for decision. Few left the class, and everything passed off quietl} T to all appearances, during the fall and winter. In ' the winter a con¬ cert was ventured on in order to raise money to defray the ex- penses of the coming Commencement. The concert was given by the Phillips Concert Troupe, and although very unsatisfac¬ tory in a financial point of view, it was generally conceded to be an excellent entertainment. Nothing’ more was ventured on to raise funds, and the loss incurred by the concert• seemed to be borne with as good grace as was possible under the cir¬ cumstances. With beginning of spring term came the lectures in Geology by Dr. Hunt, all passing pleasantly away, generally speaking.

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12 . THE ANTENNA. towards Pearl street, evidently hoping that the crowd would not follow, but the crowd did follow, and uncomfortably close, too, so they countermarched through Pearl street. Thence down Main street towards Lincoln Square, with the crowd still at their heels. Finally, by bad generalship or some blunder they be¬ came separated and then each did his best towards taking a bee-line for home. They might have been seen in all directions “ streaking” it as for dear life, and it is said that one of the number reached home, hatless, caneless, breathless and pale, sank into a chair, gasping, and altogether an object quite fright¬ ful to behold. The landlady and folks generally concluded naturally enough that he had suffered nothing less than the loss of his scalp. He soon revived enough to tell of the frightful scenes he had experienced. Everything that could be done was done for him, such as soaking his feet, giving him sage tea, etc. Finally, he dragged his weary way toward his bed and vainly endeavored to sleep, wishing he had never heard of such a thing as a “ plug hat.” For the rest, it is supposed that the} ' reached home sooner or later, but how, has never leaked out. Suffice it to say that nothing more was ever heard from ’75 about appearing in “ plugs.”