Worcester Polytechnic Institute - Peddler Yearbook (Worcester, MA)

Page 11 text:

could take from our regular work, and the other disad¬ vantages under which we labored, is our excuse. We hope that you will “censure us in your wisdom,” and if in time to come this little book will make an idle hour pass the quicker, we shall feel amply repaid for what time and labor we have expended upon it. Today we begin our life-work in earnest, and we hope that this little book will be a pleasant reminder of the days that are past. We have written our last examination ; we have attended our last recitation ; our college days are over. We have turned those pages except to memory, and opened others imprinted with the illuminated text of future ambition. Will we read these pages aright ? Time alone can tell. To-day we stand where the road branches; some of us go to the right, some to the left, but ere we part let us for the last time extend to one another the right hand of friendship and wish one another “God speed” on the journey of life. “The ways they are many and wide, And seldom are two ways the same. Side by side May we stand at the same little door when all’s done; The ways they are many, the end it is one. ' ’ — Editor. 5

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DfWer Jfyietoicp. If you’ll give me leave, we’ll now explore The deeds and doings of ’84. On the eighth of February, ’81, The “second half” had just begun; There were gathered around in O. M’s dive, To the number of just a dozen and five, A group of fellows in overalls new All of a uniform indigo blue. Every man of this new “ Prep ” class Partook of the color of growing grass; Now green is made in many a hue, By a varied mixture of yellow and blue. So in this group, on a careful view Of every one of this motley crew, Many a varied tint was seen, From “Wan” pale yellow to verdant “Green.” Five weary months went slowly by, While they butchered wood under O. M.’s eye. ’Twas little they worked, and less they learned; For, as often as O. M.’s back was turned, Both work and tools were quickly spurned To engage in the sports for which they yearned; And the glass that fell at every blow Showed that “Thompy ” was “on the throw.” t When these five months had gone at last, And the short vacation had quickly passed, They gathered again just as before; But, with them now were a number more, Who’d squeezed through examination’s door To swell the ranks of ’84. Forty-eight strong they stood there then, Thirty-one boys and seventeen men. 7