j4ii 
 
 'The College 
 
 ^OY^ILL. 
 
 '■jU^hi^-u 
 
i 
 
THE 
 
 COLLEGE BOY 
 BILL. 
 
 A Picture of Student Life 
 
 In the "Rushing Season." 
 
 (Outline suggested by the Experiences of a Student of 
 Wooster University in January. 1891.) 
 
 COMPOSED AND WRITTEN 
 
 BY 
 
 H. HUGO SHIPTON 
 
 WOOSTER, OHIO. 
 1891. 
 
 <^' C0PYRIQH7- "5;?. 
 
 ^PR 8 189 i ' , 
 
v^t? 
 
 Coijyrijjrht. Isill. 
 By H. Hr«t) Shipton. 
 
 All Klf/hts Rexerred. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 I. Bill's Reception. 
 
 II. The Frateenity Man's Invitation. 
 
 III. The Lost Trunk. 
 
 IV. The Anti-Fraternity Man's Advice. 
 
 V. Bill's Meditations, or "What Shall 
 I Do?" 
 
BILL'S RECEPTION. 
 
 Vacation over, all seems right, 
 So Bill leaves home with future bright 
 That to the college might return 
 And some of life's great lessons learn. 
 
 The journey is a pleasant one. 
 With brakemen, even, has his fun; 
 Yet, eager is old friends to meet 
 And talk about the Christmas treat. 
 
 His ardent hopes are not in vain; 
 For as he steps down from the train, 
 The merry chums of his draw near 
 To welcome him as their compeer. 
 
"Hello! Old friend! You look welK Bill. 
 Of fun 1 hope you've hud your fill. 
 My hand you squeeze with so much nerve 
 The boys this term I bet you'll serve 
 
 *'For brutal mischief last year done 
 To haze you for a little fun. 
 A lot of facts I have for you. 
 Call at my room, now fifty-two." 
 
 Another came with sprightly tread 
 And after usual greetings said: — 
 ''Bill, wish you'd come on the early train 
 And seen those fellows rushing Blaine. 
 
 "But how astounded they got left! 
 They afterwards appeared bereft; 
 For he will be an 'anti-frat' 
 Although he wears a silk cravat. 
 
 ''This term I board at Benton's club 
 Where we those haughty 'frats' can snub.' 
 To Bill such were attentions shown 
 At the depot by friends well known. 
 
''To cVliver, have you got a trunk?" 
 Soon asked some one in vileness sunk — 
 If judging from the voice so gruff 
 Which often tells of a nature rough. 
 
 Then turning Bill a drayman spies 
 That stares at him with blood-shot eyes; 
 Yet to assure the college boy, 
 •'I am too honest to decoy." 
 
 He possibly was wholly sane, 
 Although appeared as somewhat vain; 
 For on his breath was lager beer. 
 The way he stepped was rather queer. 
 
 Our boy replied without delay, 
 "Your rates, how high about are they?" 
 "For all you have, just thirty cents. 
 Deliver right or IVe no sense." 
 
 •'Of sense to you there is a lack. 
 Those presents you will surely crack. 
 I'm tempted you to set at naught," 
 The college boy intently thought. 
 
"The dray for eighteen year I've 'driv' 
 And not a single thing I've 'riv.' 
 Will pay you for whatever breaks 
 And also treat you f beer and cakes." 
 
 A crisis strangely new to Bill, 
 
 A college boy of hearty will. 
 
 The begging seeks at last to wreck 
 
 And hands '"in trust" the man his check. 
 
 Gives orders for delivery, 
 Starts up the long street hastily 
 That at his room he might arrive 
 Before the drayman there could drive. 
 
II. 
 THE FRA.TERNITY MAN. 
 
 "Hold on, friend Bill," some fellow yells, 
 Then up he comes "a cutting swells," 
 With smiles put on to captivate 
 And afEectation's mien sedate. 
 
 He bows, shakes hands and then begins 
 With pleasant face overspread with ''grins,"- 
 "Just now, in coming up the street, 
 I thought what a nice and splendid treat 
 
 " 'T would be t'escort a friend so new 
 And talk about some things in lieu 
 Of old and dried and worn out stuff 
 About which many always puff. 
 
 —9- 
 
"So as we walk along the way, 
 A feather. I would like to say, 
 Has a hard time when out alone 
 And in corruption oft is thrown; 
 
 "For when we speak, at the breath it goes 
 And e'en at every wind that blows, 
 It is tossed up and whirled around 
 And settles only to rebound. 
 
 "So you as the feither will be blown 
 And oftentimes will have to moan 
 If brothers you should never gain 
 And their companionship attain. 
 
 ''Please understand I am your friend 
 And from the right don't wish to bend. 
 From the same state are you and I, 
 On friendship yours Td like rely. 
 
 "Compeers the same we both know there 
 Who from us both acquaintance share. 
 You know Miss Jones with pretty curls? 
 Indeed! She's one of my old girls — 
 
 —10- 
 
•'My school-mate of old times, you see, 
 When we were taught 'bout A, B, C. 
 To know that you know her so well 
 It makes me feel that you're my belle. 
 
 ''But nearer coming to the theme. 
 With which all minds in college gleam, 
 Our men have 'sized you up and down.' 
 We find you very good all round. 
 
 "With all our men in the 'frat' I've seen 
 You formed acquaintance hallo ween. 
 So now a 'bid' to you I give 
 And hope you'll come with us and live; 
 
 "Will make our 'frat' to you a home 
 Where you can rest though troubles foam. 
 Your joining you will ne'er regret 
 I would not be afraid to bet. 
 
 "When one this question tries t' decide. 
 The mind most always takes a ride 
 (Because of its subtilities) 
 On certain probabilities. 
 
 -11- 
 
'"These I should like much to explain 
 And make for you exceeding plain; 
 For you our grand old 'frat" now needs 
 And sure to lead by your good deeds. 
 
 "At social parts you ought to look 
 And not be dried up like a book; 
 For all men should be sociable 
 And not be too negotiable. 
 
 "A jollier set of boys, I think, 
 Have never roomed on the street of Spink 
 Than meet each week in our 'frat' hall, 
 Besides take in each stylish ball. 
 
 ''In every thing we undertake. 
 Though RIGHT at no time we forsake, 
 With that SUCC3SS we always meet 
 Which is the prize of a fair beat. 
 
 "One thing I want to tell to you, 
 Because it is a view that's true — 
 Not said because I like to boast 
 And make our 'frat' appear a host — 
 
 —12— 
 
"But we have the best 'frat' in school; 
 Our boys stand right up to the rule, 
 With now and then a little 'flunk' 
 Just so that we may show our spunk. 
 
 "Not many 'honor men' are ours; 
 It's too exhaustive of our powers. 
 Hence not to have that kind we live, 
 For they hold love just like a sieve. 
 
 "Besides they are tyrannical 
 And also too mechanical. 
 In other ways we show our worth 
 With deeds becoming noble birth. 
 
 "Our object is to make men whole 
 And not to stuff, as cooks a roll, 
 And bake till tough and dry as hide. 
 But to develop every side. 
 
 "Man's nature you learn in the 'frat.' 
 
 Our object is to train at that; 
 
 For it's a very useful art 
 
 When out in the world so strange you start. 
 
 —13— 
 
"Then if a brother should do wrong, 
 We all around him quickly throng. 
 Point out to him the error made 
 That every act right may pervade. 
 
 "And if a brother should get sick, 
 We treat him not as a worthless stick 
 But give to him the best of care 
 And with him all his sorrows bear. 
 
 "With all oar fellows, ws are true — ■ 
 Forsake just one would never do. 
 We will not see our men be passed, 
 For friendship ours must ever last. 
 
 "Beside by our men through 'thick or thin' 
 We are right there to help them win. 
 And if they fail — why it's all right, 
 We make for them the mishap light. 
 
 "But if our brother gains success, 
 We share the honor none the less. 
 Enjoy with him prized victory's palm 
 And of glad triumph sing the psalm. 
 
 —14— 
 
•'That this is right, I think you'll see 
 If you to the Bible come with me; 
 For Christ our Lord when here on earth 
 Chose twelve companions for their worth. 
 
 '"Not only t' have their mutual aid 
 And for His conflicts be arrayed, 
 But also to do better work 
 And no way man's improvement shirk. 
 
 "So we choose twelve or fifteen men, 
 And join ourselves that we again 
 May imitate the example set 
 And seek that fortune may be met. 
 
 •'Our men you know where'er they be, 
 In recitations or at tea; 
 So they are welcomed near and far 
 And everywhere are popular. 
 
 •'Our aim is ever to progress 
 And on the times our lives impress. 
 But 'barbs' too lifeless are to rise. 
 Poke 'long old trodden ways as wise. 
 
 —15— 
 
"Their thoughts seem ever in a whirl 
 When they're in company with a girl. 
 Don't have 'cute' things at all to say 
 And look as though they'd like to pray. 
 
 "And as 'frat suckers' 'barbs' make baits. 
 In social gatherings act like apes. 
 Of course, a few good men they've claimed 
 Who for their loving hearts are famed. 
 
 "But most 'barbs' are a set of 'chumps' 
 And ugly as a farmer's stumps. 
 Of course, for that kind we've no use 
 And so we let them run round loose. 
 
 " 'Grainst other 'frats' I've naught to say. 
 To b'long to ours, I think will pay; 
 For each one of our men is sound — 
 Not one of them has a waste pound. 
 
 "Then just one weak man is a sore 
 And to the whole 'frat' is a bore; 
 Hence, we are careful the kind w^e bid 
 That none may have whom we want hid. 
 
 —16— 
 
"Of us, y'can trust each one your friend 
 When you've a little 'dust' to spend; 
 For, since the old mare goes for cash, 
 If 'frats' did not, we'd make things clash. 
 
 "Then after work we want good times. 
 To help along we need what chimes. 
 It gives to us more dignity. 
 Puts us above malignity. 
 
 "All parts of the U. we represent. 
 No end of praises they present 
 To re — ^mind us we take the lead 
 And our boys are of the best breed. 
 
 "First let's look at the foot-ball team. 
 Our 'frat' is there in Jimmy Ream, 
 The finest boy you ever saw 
 In this whole world of 'scratch and claw.' 
 
 "Then our gymnasium — there is it 
 ( A dime museum couldn't equal it ) 
 Where we excel in Charley Neat 
 Set down in school the best athlete. 
 
 -17- 
 
"Then .it the *or — a — tor contest' 
 Our men must always come out best. 
 Were represented grand last year 
 By our 'frat' brother John McKlear. 
 
 "His piece he spoke with rythmic chimes 
 And showed the progress of the times 
 With gestures fine and just in style, 
 And got applause for a long while. 
 
 '"But this, I b'lieve is where you room. 
 I hope this term you'll make things 'boom,' 
 Since you with us we'd have abide, 
 This question now couldn't you decide? 
 
 "You'll think o'er it? Why that's no good. 
 Say 'yes' right now is what you should. 
 Besides 'twill save yon many a knock. 
 Your failures our men will not mock. 
 
 " 'Twill put you in society. 
 But suit yourself. Use piety. 
 And what I've said you ponder well 
 So we at Chapel '11 'cut a swell.' '' 
 
 -18- 
 
III. 
 THE LOST TRUNK. 
 
 The lady with a pleasant face 
 Greets Bill's return to his old place. 
 She has the servant build the fire 
 While he sits down with peace entire. 
 
 Two hours of waiting now had passed. 
 Two never seemed so long to last, 
 And maddened every feature grew 
 As golden moments by him flew. 
 
 ^' Where can that drunken drayman be? 
 I long have waited. Now it's three. 
 I, straightway, must investigate." 
 Then off he goes at rapid gait. 
 
 -19- 
 
First Buckeye with agility paced; 
 Next Market, with impetuous haste. 
 Theu Spink street, searches north and south 
 And Bever, also, -''down at the mouth;" 
 
 Old Liberty, from east to west 
 
 The depot too without a rest. 
 
 Thus far he roamed. His hunt was vain. 
 
 He was so tired, he wished his cane. 
 
 The failures cause his hopes to droop, 
 Begins to think, 'Tm in the soup."" 
 So back he goes repose to have 
 At his old room on College Ave. 
 
 "What a big fool I've been," thought he, 
 "To let that drayman old dupe me. 
 I ought have had a little sense — 
 My wrath was never so intense." 
 
 His longed-for room almost in sight. 
 His fierce mind takes another flight. 
 "If I that sot had by the neck, 
 I him could pound into a speck. 
 
 —20— 
 
"It's horrid fooling round this way 
 And then have every body say, 
 'No judgment has that college man' — 
 Well! there! at the gate that-old-dray-man 
 
 "A tumbling over my nice trunk, 
 He'll break some things he is so drunk. 
 Oh! cursed, miserable self! 
 I ought be laid 'way on a shelf. 
 
 •'How badly I have gotten sold! 
 But anger mine must be controled. 
 Must curb myself — keep temper cool 
 And not act too much like a fool, 
 
 "Or I'll be gi'en completely 'way 
 And can't at college stay a day. 
 'Dive hateful thoughts down in my soul, 
 No longer you I can console." 
 
 So shaking off the ugly scowls 
 Imprinted on the man who growls. 
 The drayman in a mood he meets 
 That his gay mirthfulness completes. 
 
 —21— 
 
Then says, ''You're here all right I guess? 
 'Yer' Sunday hat y'can bet. Oh, yes, 
 1 always g-g-get along all right 
 E'en if I get a little t-t-tight. 
 
 *'If Fd the chink t'step round's you do 
 
 I'd be a reg-u-lar 'hoo-doo.' 
 
 At no old college I'd be caught 
 
 That dry facts mij mind might be taught. 
 
 "Well, I'm glad yi-jest in time I's here 
 An' didn't cause you no anxious fear. 
 But I'm one always that's on time, 
 Except that time I f-f-fell in slime. 
 
 "But that were three 3^ear 'go or more. 
 I tell you I's made pretty sore. 
 But movin' I will have to keep 
 Or harvest I will never reap." 
 
IV. 
 
 THE ANTI-FRATERNITY MAN. 
 
 Bill's room arranged, all things in taste, 
 Our college boy decides to haste 
 Down to the room of an old chum 
 Well known in school as Shorty Stumm. 
 
 But some one knocks. Bill opes the door. 
 There almost breathless stood Jake Moore. 
 "Come in," cries Bill, and his hand grasps 
 In hearty shakes while Jacob gasps, 
 
 '"Well, Bill, you're here. I was afraid — " 
 Then when across the room he'd strayed 
 And thrown his hat upon the bed 
 Began anew to tell his dread. 
 
 —23— 
 
"This nftenioon down town, I saw 
 A 'frat' man have you by his paw; 
 I was afraid he had you 'holed,' 
 Those fellows ahvays act so bold. 
 
 ''Now let me give you some advice 
 Before they get you in their vise; 
 For 'f you get in youll not get out- 
 Don't care how big you are or stout. 
 
 "Now 'f rats' I morally^ oppose 
 Because they tramp on others' toes. 
 They have no sense— e'en little bit. 
 Don't care for any one a whit. 
 
 "And very lazy you will find. 
 When they have any ax to grind 
 They wall pretend to be so nice 
 Just to use ijou as they would dice. 
 
 "Then they in classes often 'flunk;' 
 Yet look as wise as an old monk — 
 Thus hoping they will get excused 
 And by the Prof, not be abused. 
 
 —24^ 
 
"I never saw such scamps 'to cut.' 
 They'r ever in the same old 'rut,' 
 And yet how terribly they blow 
 When down to F. they do not go. 
 
 "Then when they study Latin or Greek, 
 Translations first they always seek 
 And with their 'brothers' try to hide 
 As they upon the 'pony ride.' 
 
 "One man I'm told by one who knows 
 Doesn't do a thing but eat and doze. 
 In classes, even, takes a nap 
 And in reciting he would 'gap.' 
 
 "Another man was such a bore, 
 I could not help myself but roar 
 When on the stage he went one night 
 As the star or — a — tor to fight. 
 
 "Now, selfishness! Saw ne'er the like. 
 
 In that they are just all alike. 
 
 A whited sepulcher beside. 
 
 Without they're white — but what inside! 
 
 —25— 
 
•"They make magnificent old bows 
 As if with you they woukl espouse. 
 And so they greatly madden us, 
 F'or their pert shams are scandalous. 
 
 "Each feigns himself as the Great Sheik. 
 
 The fact is. he's a regular sneak; 
 
 And yet so egotistical, 
 
 He acts as though he's mystical. 
 
 "At talking they spend lots of time. 
 So glibly make their words to rhyme 
 And harp upon philanthropy. 
 They ought to say misanthropy. 
 
 "There is no limit to their gall. 
 It's 'nough sometimes to make one bawl. 
 Then on the streets they 'strut" around 
 As bantam roosters on new ground. 
 
 "My friend, now flee from their deceit 
 Or they *11 tramp on you with their feet. 
 They think that thus they 'cut a swell.' 
 It only drags them down to hell. 
 
 —26— 
 
"If you're a man with much loose change 
 To 'gulp' you in they will arrange; 
 But if you have to work your way, 
 They scorn you as a chunk of clay. 
 
 "When meanness ever gets that rank 
 Morality is getting lank. 
 So if you want to keep your 'rep' 
 Why, you take not the fatal step; 
 
 "For you will be brought down so low 
 That when you meet the dreadful foe, 
 You will regret 'frats' could exist 
 You did not have the power t' resist. 
 
 "What is the fraternity after all? 
 A trap in which our good men fall; 
 Yet how much praise they give the name ! 
 But knaves and gamblers do the same. 
 
 "In lact, for 'frats' there is no need 
 And in the college are a weed. 
 Just sapping life from all that's pure. 
 It's more than good men should endure. 
 
 —27— 
 
"I feel an interest in you, 
 For right I see you wish to do. 
 So you in time I now do warn 
 That you in college may not mourn. 
 
 ''Now as I said, *frats' '11 bring you low. 
 It'll be more than, 'My tale of woe. 
 Just listen to my tale — too true;' 
 For secret are the things they do. 
 
 "You can not ope your mouth at all 
 About thing done within their hall 
 Or cuffs on you they should inflict, 
 Or nature of a 'frat' con — flict. 
 
 "But more, 'frats' have no history. 
 What tltey do is a mystery. 
 Hence, if bright records you desire 
 Why, to a 'frat' you shouldn't retire. 
 
 "I would not join one for the world. 
 For from good standing Fd be whirled. 
 Of course, I never had a 'bid,' 
 For of their faults wished to be rid. 
 
 -28— 
 
''You see my views aren't on one side, 
 Although such questions I decide; 
 That is, have the'ries in the mind 
 E'en if they shoukl be a poor kind. 
 
 Yet all the facts I've tried to learn 
 And each for you I've weighed in turn; 
 So these explain my own belief 
 Expressed in statements true and brief. 
 
 ''Now mind, in 'frats' bad ways you'll learn 
 And where they lead there's no return; 
 For when on 'frat chums' you depend 
 You'll suffer weakness that wont end. 
 
 "So don't be tied to one such elf. 
 In independence pride yourself. 
 Then with those fellows never mix 
 And gain success by shameful tricks. 
 
 "Don't be the lowest thing on earth 
 Permitting self in their low berth. 
 But please consider who you are 
 And 'mong good men, be you a star. 
 
 -29- 
 
''I trust youUl my suggestions heed. 
 Same time, let your good judgment lead. 
 Though from you now I must depart, 
 I hope 'gainst 'frats" you'll be a dart." 
 
IV. 
 
 "WHAT SHALL I DO?" 
 
 Lone Bill sits down in his arm chair 
 As if his mind was grieved with care. 
 Then looking vaguely at the wall 
 As night's dark shades begin to fall, 
 
 Of relief, he takes long, weary sighs 
 Whib musing, "Which has told the lies 
 That this first day at school IVe heard — 
 Such adverse arguments absurd. 
 
 "Of fraternities so slight I know. 
 The word's from f rater, that is so; 
 And that means brother I am sure. 
 But brother — the word is getting poor. 
 
 —31— 
 
"Some meaning now seems to contain, 
 My teacher never did explain 
 When Sunday School I did attend, 
 Though she to me so kind a friend. 
 
 "She oft told me what brother meant, 
 And can it be her loving bent 
 Upon that blessed word is wrong 
 [ heard her use for six years long? 
 
 "She talked of Jesus' love for good. 
 Of universal brotherhood. 
 Her dying words FU ne'er forget — 
 Effect on me Fll not regret. 
 
 "A place like this I never saw, 
 Backbiting seems to be the law. 
 Men with such brass I have not seen — 
 Just heaping up abuse so mean. 
 
 "Oh! my! How sinful we must be, 
 How far from truth some of us flee. 
 How our dear consciences must groan 
 As they become so much like stone. 
 
 —32— 
 
''It's dreadful, awful, rending thought, 
 For all time soul by hell be bought. 
 I'm tossed, depressed — with broken heart- 
 From me all joy is now apart. 
 
 "I've none to trust except that One 
 Whose Home by love my teacher won. 
 Oh, Blessed One, thou art my Friend. 
 Oh, keep me and my thoughts amend." 
 
 Then rousing from deep musing's balm, 
 The troubled mind of him made calm, 
 The floor with measured steps he paced 
 To weigh "frat" arguments with haste. 
 
 "I'm just a student here at school. 
 I must obey while others rule. 
 And if this college I should leave, 
 I'm sure my going none would grieve; 
 
 "For I'm but one of hundreds here, 
 Among them as a speck appear. 
 These dreaded facts I can't ignore 
 E'en if against them should implore. 
 
■•Then in thi«! age most every where 
 There is a school with standing fair, 
 Fraternities I'm told are found 
 That have deep rooted power renowned. 
 
 •'If we the power of them abate 
 In every college in the State, 
 Their haughtiness would surely pause 
 And so advance education's cause. 
 
 "But now for me to take a stand 
 And of these 'frats' to clear the land 
 Is something I might undertake, 
 But under it I fear Fd quake. 
 
 "From even here to drive tliem out — 
 About it one can only pout; 
 Fv)r they are here, no doubt, to stay 
 And opposition wont repay. 
 
 '"By judging from the things Fve heard, 
 Tliough with false colors somewhat blurred, 
 There are some 'f rats' which are corrupt 
 And from the devil's cup have supped. 
 
 -34- 
 
"But never yet in all my life 
 
 The place have seen where good was rife, 
 
 Unless in it corruption creep, 
 
 At length, from it dire evil leap. 
 
 "The men themselves, it seems to me 
 Determine what the 'frat' should be. 
 If they are mean, it is brought low; 
 If pure, it will with virtue glow. 
 
 ''I pleasant want my college days. 
 For this combined with study pays. 
 My social side must not neglect 
 That my advance may not be checked. 
 
 "It matters not how great my power — 
 That buds of good may largest flower, 
 Some friends I somewhere must secure 
 Whose friendship will be true and pure. 
 
 " 'To organize' this is an age. 
 To form large unions is the rage. 
 This education does enhance. 
 Must not I with the times advance? 
 
 —35— 
 
"That 'frat' man likely overdrew 
 The good that in the 'frats' accrue. 
 Enthusiastic yet is he; 
 Hence, plastic too his mind would be. 
 
 "But he's a truly jolly friend. 
 One on his promise can depend. 
 Then his companions are the best, 
 To be good students are confessed. 
 
 *"So I can do one of two things 
 If I'm to avoid the college 'stings': — 
 Go back to the plow and 'keep my rep' 
 Or else to take the 'fatal step' — 
 
 "A step it may be I shall rue 
 But I've resolved what I will do. 
 Fraternity men my friends 'in need,' 
 To them I'll be a friend 'in deed.' " 
 
■SL."^ ™'«=|'ess 
 
 015 siiTaTf--^