Worcester Polytechnic Institute - Peddler Yearbook (Worcester, MA)

Page 14 text:

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.

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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13 Seeing the unworthiness of such a captive, his pursuers returned to the main body, which was soon in line, as the time for the cremation was fast ap¬ proaching. They marched to the sound of the muf¬ fled drums through the Joe. Bill, road to the Boul¬ evard, where they were joined by the corpse and chief mourners, and thence to the top of the hill, passing several picnics. Guards were left at the foot of the hill, but when the preparations for crema¬ tion had been completed, they were called in, and after an opening prayer by the chaplain and several speeches by the orators, the torch was applied to the pyre. Then followed a solemn scene. The funeral dance was admirably executed by the mourners. Minute guns Avere fired by a Hill of a Middler, and the few Seniors present, affected by the sad ceremo¬ nies, as they afterwards were by Prof. S., Avere ob¬ served to shed tears copiously. Lookers on from the Middle class, none of whom were Frisky as formerly, lost their Stone(y) glare and watched the ceremonies Avith quivering lips and moistened eyes. One unfortunate Middler, not feeling so Well’s when he left home, could Barrett no longer and left the scene. When the funeral dance Avas ended the epitaph was read, followed by several obituary speeches. The ceremonies Avere concluded, the procession formed, and- to the un-muffled drums the line of 2