1905-06 Volume 30 No 1–5 - Phi Delta Theta Scroll Archive

THE SCROLL. , 459the chairs on the tables, and sat where the dishes had been in order tobetter hear the speeches; and finally how our distinguished brothers Harris,Elam, Morrison, Ayres, and others, long out of college, occupying positionsof special honor and dignity in the world at large and on that particularoccasion, were caught and overwhelmed by the rampant and contagious spiritof fun that reigned supreme; how they were obliged to throw off the dignitythey wear so well, and join the jolly crowd of Phis side stepping around thetables with arms locked across each other's shoulders, upsetting and breakingthe chairs and everything else that happened to be in the way, andthrowing bonbons to the Phi girls who were in the gallery, enjoying thepandemonium that reigned down below! Who that is out of college wouldblot out the memory of that night? Who that is in college would deprivethemselves of the memory of such happy occasions in days to come,when they perhaps are striving for or manipulating the "pull'" withoutwhich the commencement orator assured the student body of his AlmaMater there was no chance of success!How often is it in the thought of those of us who are out, if we couldonly exchange our present halting, hesitating mental processes for theprompt and ready decisiveness that enabled us in college days to reach aconclusion on any subject at a moment's notice; if we could only exchangeour present intellect, with its narrow limitations, for that wonderful brainpower that enabled us in college days to master, without effort, every problemunder the shining sun, except those in the text-books, what a gloriousthing it would be! I have come to realize the immense advantage boys incollege have over their fathers out of college; and it has long been a sourceof regret with me that I didn't make more allowance for my father's limitatitmsduring the years when there was such disparity in mental fibre betweenus. I recognize now that he did the best he could, and that I oughtto have been more patient and forebearing, more considerate and less aggressivein asserting my superiority; and to those of my brohters here tonightwho are still in and not out of college, I would say as a parting injunction:Be patient. Make allowances. Don't be too hard on the old man. Maythe spirit of our fraternity implanted, nurtured and developed in the warmand genial atmosphere of your college never wither and shrink in the coldand frosty air that prevails elsewhere; and may the summer heat of yourfraternity enthusiasm never be chilled by a wintry blast when, out of college,you apply to a fraternity brother for a job.Bro. Johnson is the superintendent of the state institute for the deaf anddumb, and therefore was assigned the subject of "The Silent Hoosier."Bro. Johnson, it will be remembered, is the only Phi who was ever initiatedby a national convention—that of 1894 at Indianapolis.The official subject for discussion, "What the Chapters Owe to TheirAlumni," was most ably handled by Bro. James L. Mitchell, ex-provincepresident, and S. G. C. pro tem.Bro. Will H. Hays, president of Epsilon province, made the hit of theevening by his clever and eloquent remarks on "The College Widow." Histalk bristled with wit, humor and beautiful sentiment. He painted thefascinating lady in various colors, and set forth her characteristics andcharms in a most entertaining manner. Bro. Hays combined the eloquentsentiment of a Carter Helm Jones with the wit and fun of a Bill Nye.Genial Dr. Link, ended the toast list with "Phi Delta Theta GoatLymph." He prescribed as follows:"Rx Goat Lymph {Phi Delta Theta) Quantum Sufficit. Sig. one doseeach Alumni Day, to preventOslerism and fossilism."