TO THE CLASS OF 187.
107
TO THE CLASS OF '87.
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READ IN FRESHMAN CLASS MEETING NOV.2,1883.
Which I'm living now in Lawrence and my name is Truthful James, And I think that now's the proper time to tell about the games. Of the gay and festive members of the class of Eighty-seven Who, when they graduate, will be in the (eighty-) seventh heaven.
We met last May to organize, and we met with great success. And on the whole with harmony, although I must confess That once or twice, it seemed to me, some tempers were mislaid But still, no lives were sacrificed—no tombstones have been made.
We elected all our officers, and I was glad to see That no one raised the frantic cry, "Corruption! bribery!" But anent the class' motto up rose a tearful wail. O, did the whale swallow Jonah, or did Jonah swallow the whale?
Well, all that is past and over and we've met here once again. And according to the contract I'm to wield my humble pen To record your gallant struggles and record the proud success Which should come to crown those struggles,and your weary souls to bless.
But, the class is in its infancy; it has not lived so long That it has furnished incident to celebrate in song; "We have," is not developed yet; I turn me to "We will;" But now I hear the class's voice exclaiming "You do ill!
"We will," belongs to prophesy, and you were made class poet; "We hired a prophet for that work, and think you ought to know it. "So keep you to your proper sphere, and let the prophet's be, "Your own is large enough for you—too large, we plainly see."
I stand corrected; be it so; one theme is left me still,
What is the class? a worthy theme, a poet's verse to fill!
E'en here I find an obstacle; I have so much to say
That, should I tell you all I would, 'twould last a summer's day.
For, I would praise this one—and this—and that one, over there; Would laud the one who ably fills our presidential chair; Would mourn the new arrivals, and express our proud delight In those who've turned their backs on us and given up the fight.
No, No! I didn't read that right; it doesn't go that way— That's just directly opposite to what I meant to say: For we mourn each old friend absent, and for ev'ry new one here We've a welcome and a hand-shake, and a word of hearty cheer.
And one word of admonition, if you'll take it not amiss For the welfare of the country is, perhaps, concerned in this; So I charge you, by the duty that you owe your native land. Even in impromptu meetings let the constitution stand.
Well, I wont detain you longer, for I see you feel the need Of what one accomplished member not inaptly terms "a feed." And I know from observation that all classes are by rights. (And this class is no exception) furnished with good appetites.
May all jollity attend you! but, I make it my request That in counting friendly wishes you'll put mine among the rest May all the highest honors to each of us be given. And may each of us be foremost in the class of Eighty-seven.