Worcester Polytechnic Institute - Peddler Yearbook (Worcester, MA)

Page 13 text:

11 steps these disciples of Apollo strode between the harmonics, lingered among the minor chords, dashed by the major chords, and reached the heights of heaven among the discords. But that is past. All our work for Butler was in vain. He was defeated and the Tech’s were sor¬ rowful. “ Bat still were heard to matter, ‘ ’Rah for our noble leader, Butler! ’ ”— Anon. THE CREMATION OF CHAUVENET T the end of the Junior year, having completed the study of Chauvenet’s text-books, the class, jubilant at having successfully withstood the wither¬ ing blast of T. E. N. E’s examinations in sines and wonders, checker-boards and all, decided to dis¬ pose of the Hon. Sir William according to the estab¬ lished custom, in such manner as to render him past resurrection during their student-life. Wishing to dispose of him with military honors, a fife and drum corps was created, youthful orators went into training, an undertaker was duly appoint¬ ed, and, besides other necessary preparations, the class was fitted out with the regulation Tech, uniform. At the appointed hour and place, the Joe. Bill, road

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10 plored the audience to “fire at the boys, but don’t hit the horse.” By the way, that horse was quite a character in its way. Twice during the procession did he make vain endeavors to break into a trot, and once he walked really quite rapidly. It had such a stylish gait and manner of holding its head that it impressed the bet¬ ter class of people perceptibly. Such fire works ! Such a galaxy of colored stars ; springing, spurting and splashing into the heavens ! Tinted flames lighting up the scenery for miles around. The effect was so brilliant, so heavenly, so roman¬ tic, so intense, so consummate, so much like para¬ dise, that a snab is said to have exclaimed “Oh! dear! ! ” Of the speeches made we remember the words but little. Thev were so touching, so scientific, that we were impressed greatly at the time, and we now wonder what combinations of language could have produced so great an effect. The great features of the evening were the speech¬ es of the Junior orators. They were so tender and touching, yet withal so strong and unanswerable. How marked the immediate effect—women cried, snabs stamped their pretty feet, and strong, brave men, bearded and tanned, muttered, with clenched hands, “d—m Butler.” Pre-eminent stands the work of the musicians. Such rare combinations of melody and harmony nev¬ er before had been attempted. Beethoven and the Amherst Glee Club were nowhere. With fearless

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12 between Salisbury and Boynton streets, at 8.30 p. m., on the 30th of June, 1879, silently there gath¬ ered about thirty strange looking gentlemen arrayed in plug hats and crape, carrying over-grown walking sticks, and having a look of grim determination on their faces. Over the wall, under the bushes and guarded by two valiant watchmen, lay the remains of the lamented (?) Chauvenet, alias Geo. Metry, the lid of the casket bearing beautiful designs in flours and “Trig.” This was indeed the fate of Chauvenet. As it was intended that part of the services should be open to the public, Mill-stone Hill was at first se¬ lected as the place for the performance of the cere¬ monies, and the corpse was soon en route. Wishing a more appreciative audience than was expected there, the committee of arrangements changed their decision in favor of Johnson’s Hill. A messenger was sent to overtake the bearers and direct them to the spot. While awaiting the return of the corpse, an un¬ suspecting Middler, on his way home from “ Zit’s,” straggled blindly up the hill. As he passed the con¬ gregation of plug hats, his pace perceptibly quick¬ ened and his knees became still more shaky. Feel¬ ing outraged by this intrusion of a Middler, several started in pursuit, to capture the specimen. Wheth¬ er the air suddenly stirred itself to a breeze, or whether he increased his speed, is undecided, but his coat tails were observed to stretch out horizontally as he disappeared in the direction of Boynton Street.