1916 Volume 41 No 1–5 - Phi Delta Theta Scroll Archive

16 THE SCROLLbut no doubt will have its turn in the eternal flux of word combinationsapparently uninfluenced by any directing mind.Lots of words may be saved in describing the future, which isnotoriously uncertain. First of all, the Garnet and White will appear(if you are prompt) on the fifteenth day of the month followingthe receipt of your letter. If it is early, so much the better, but donot couijt on this rare pleasure. Mention, then, entertainments, reunions,dinners and plans scheduled to come off after that date of publication,for it is possible that Bob, for whom you are writing, mayattend, but save mention of other projected pleasures until you candescribe their accomplishment. Secondly, eliminate promises of whatthe chapter is going to do in the wav of raising its standards orimproving its ecpipment, unless indeed, as in building a chapter house,you want Bob's interest and help in bringing it to pass. Cut outforecasts of the great things your new men are going to be and do.We'll believe it when we see it. Like Kipling's "Banderlog" in TlieJungle Book, a chapter can easily work itself up into a high stateof self-satisfaction and stagnation by reciting on every possible occasionall the wonderful deeds thev are going to do.When you have written your letter, it is a good thing to get somebrother to typewrite it neatly on SjX x 11 paper, omitting as he doesso the first and last sentences (list of visitors excepted). The Editorwill probably do this latter an\ way. unless you have got right downto your information at the beginning, and left off as soon as vou arethrough, taking good wishes to other chapters and offers of hospitalityfor granted.Don't think you are the only fraternity on the campus. You maybe the best. But if any other fraternity has moved into a new house,or achieved some special distinction, or won, as you hope to do nextyear, four out of five of all Phi Beta Kappa keys, or had a bad fire,or entertained the President of the United States, don't be bashfulabout sounding their praises. Perhaps some time they may soundyours.Complaints often reach the Editor that proper names are misspelled.^^'e confess to an unholy delight in printing names sometimesjust as they are sent us by the chapter recorder, whom themisspelled brother had the responsibility of electing last year. Namesof brothers of other chapters in the visitors' list we usually revisecarefully. But even here care should be used to print out names,and to have the initials correct and the spelling unexceptionable.Calling a man out of his name is a most unimportant incident, butit has unlimited possibilities as a creator of bad feeling.To write on one side of the sheet only is a counsel for infants. Yetas the Editor concludes this article he gazes sadly at a letter destinedfor the satue issue of the Garnet and White in whicli this article(in place of a much better one promised but not sent bv a Philadelphiabrother), will appear. Beginning with a blot on the first page