Worcester Polytechnic Institute - Peddler Yearbook (Worcester, MA)

Page 15 text:

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

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 16 text:

14 inarch was taken up towards the Commonwealth Cafe. Passing Sunny side a short halt was made for a straw¬ berry collation. The column then marched along the Boulevard to Salisbury St., through to Boynton St., where, at the end of Prof. Row, a motley col¬ lection of roughs, seconded by a few Middlers and stragglers from the Senior class, had massed them¬ selves in the middle of the road apparently with the intention of resolving themselves into a deviating force. Just before coming up to this gang an inno¬ cent Junior cried, 44 Three cheers for the Faculty ! ” which was responded to with one wail by the man himself, whom the rest accompanied with innumera¬ ble groans. Disregarding at first the would-be ob¬ struction, the ’81s did not swerve from their course ; but when a certain bully from Conn, was observed to raise a stick as if to strike, and others of his crew assumed the same attitude ; the Juniors, after giving them fair warning, charged, and the canes in the air reminded us of Briggs when safe in a harbor. The roughs fled to the sidewalk and some of them over the fence, earnestly enquiring, 44 What’s the matter with the man on the sidewalk?” and a Newcom{b)er was heard to observe, in a low voice, 44 are not two Sparrows sold for a farthing?” and a Senior, too, was heard to murmur, 44 Howard you like to get hit in the neck with a club?” and still another, brushing his coat, remarked, 44 Whose Harris pulled out by the roots ? Willis wig grow again ? ” Finally the Middlers came to the conclusion that they didn’t have the intention of stopping the procession, and as