1915 Yearbook
Source URL
Title
1915 Yearbook
Description
The '98ers "Being a Few of the Many Memories That Bless and Burn."
The 8th of September, 1898, was a fine, clear day; there was no
particular reason for our feeling homesick. Nevertheless, we
found little cheer in the assurance of one of the good city pastors that "when he was down in Kentucky he never let the boys
get lonesome." Regardless of the fact that on opening day of
school we feel that all our friends and relatives have deserted
us, there is no doubt that we are a source of great amusement
to the "old fellows." The redeeming feature is that next year we will be "old
fellows" ourselves.
Oh! The remarkable development the college still dear to us effected! Imagine one of us so awe-stricken at the size of the building that he could find no
term in the dictionary to express himself, and with head thrown back and eyes
fixed on the fourth story, "Judas Mike, ain't she a whopper!"
And to think that one of us was persuaded that it was customary for "new
guys" to buy the candy for the "Old Fellows!" He bought the candy. '98ers
were generous, even if some of the old fellows did spell it E-A-S-Y. And to the
glory of that year's new fellows let it be said that the same generous soul in later
years became an efficient member of the teaching staff of the College.
Some of us in those days might have felt hurt at the cognomen "Weary
Willows." We understand now, of course, that "hoboes" was not inferred at all,
but that reference was made to the suppleness of the character which we
brought to the College for strengthening and development. And in all seriousness let us say that character-building was the watchword of the directors and
professors who bore the burden of such great responsibility. "Character" was
the subject of the eloquent Father Nugent's address a couple of years later when
he reminded us that the oak which grows out by itself on the plain is strong and
sturdy. And Character was the central point of Father Lambert's retreat some
time later when he pictured for us the good, and assured us when he pictured
the bad, "I do not tell you these things to scare you, boys." And time has so
accurately and faithfully borne him out.
Character-building! The dominant idea around which the professors built
up in those years 1898 to 1903. Noble work and noble workers!
The 8th of September, 1898, was a fine, clear day; there was no
particular reason for our feeling homesick. Nevertheless, we
found little cheer in the assurance of one of the good city pastors that "when he was down in Kentucky he never let the boys
get lonesome." Regardless of the fact that on opening day of
school we feel that all our friends and relatives have deserted
us, there is no doubt that we are a source of great amusement
to the "old fellows." The redeeming feature is that next year we will be "old
fellows" ourselves.
Oh! The remarkable development the college still dear to us effected! Imagine one of us so awe-stricken at the size of the building that he could find no
term in the dictionary to express himself, and with head thrown back and eyes
fixed on the fourth story, "Judas Mike, ain't she a whopper!"
And to think that one of us was persuaded that it was customary for "new
guys" to buy the candy for the "Old Fellows!" He bought the candy. '98ers
were generous, even if some of the old fellows did spell it E-A-S-Y. And to the
glory of that year's new fellows let it be said that the same generous soul in later
years became an efficient member of the teaching staff of the College.
Some of us in those days might have felt hurt at the cognomen "Weary
Willows." We understand now, of course, that "hoboes" was not inferred at all,
but that reference was made to the suppleness of the character which we
brought to the College for strengthening and development. And in all seriousness let us say that character-building was the watchword of the directors and
professors who bore the burden of such great responsibility. "Character" was
the subject of the eloquent Father Nugent's address a couple of years later when
he reminded us that the oak which grows out by itself on the plain is strong and
sturdy. And Character was the central point of Father Lambert's retreat some
time later when he pictured for us the good, and assured us when he pictured
the bad, "I do not tell you these things to scare you, boys." And time has so
accurately and faithfully borne him out.
Character-building! The dominant idea around which the professors built
up in those years 1898 to 1903. Noble work and noble workers!
Date
1915
Rights
St. Ambrose University, 518 W. Locust St., Davenport, IA 52803
Identifier
http://cdm16810.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/p16810coll2/id/3580