Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1898-06-29


interesting sketch of the school from
its beginning in 1870. His reference to
Mrs. A. F. Greedy, through whose efforts
the school was moved from its ill-ven
tilated quarters in Hancock hall to its
present quarters, was greeted with
applause.
MIR. Drummey then introduced E. w
Lord, who read the following poem
written by him for the occasion:
When the classic poet wanted words to make
his pages glow,
He invoked the heavenly muses. as undoubtedly
you know;
For you can't have quite forgotten vergil's first
appeal for aid
Since his "Musa mihi causas' never reader
can evade.
And the muse with thoughtful kindness shed
divine afllatus then,
While the poet put on paper all the thoughts
that moved his pen
Yes, perhaps, he used stylus and tablet
scared with wax,
But you can't expect poet to be tied down
close to facts.
And II with this humble epic you should find
historic fault,
l will give you full permission to apply pinch
of salt.
Now for such grand occasion as this gather.
ing would seem,
Nothing short of classic models could a poet
fitting deem;
For have not we all as students stepped our
minds in classic lore,
And drunk draughta from ancient fountains till
our souls could hold no more?
Have we not with Caesars army tried his won
drous bridge to cross:
Tho we've thought, and sometimes owned it,
that we'd not have mourned the loss
If the bridge and all upon it had been swept
into the brook,
If 1t only could have happened just before he
wrote the book.
And to Cicero we've listened as he tells in tones
benign
How he saved the Roman people from the plots
OF Catalina;
How if he'd not put his wisdom in the bloody
traitors way
Rome with all her ancient glory would have
persisted in a day.
So l thought it quite essential to invoke the
classic fire,
And to give you thoughts and fancies which
fair Clio might inspire,
And made due application, just about three
weeks ago,
For frst-class Inspiration such as ancient
one the muse could guarantee me not to wrinkle,
shrink or fade,
Classic model, finest finish, every part of strict
high grade.
But 1t seems that all the muses. In these days of
bloody fights
Are inspiring headline writers for their won.
drous fancy flights,
And the only way poet their attention now can
gain
Is to start little lyric on some theme about the
Maine.
So with all divine aflatus I've reluctantly dis
pensed-
As perhaps you've all suspected since you've
heard these lines commenced.
We who've known a common school life in the
days but just gone by,
Here, tonight, are ali united by the potence of
that tie.
How to dodge a recitation, every art was oft ap-
piled;
How to dodge those laughing maidcns we poor
bashlul boys have tried;
How, when called up to the class room, we have
sat perpleNed and scared,
While the teacher scattered questions on a les.
son unprepared
When we've heard the only question that we
could have answered right,
Given to another fellow, how our courage took
its flight
How those dread examinations at the end of
every term.
With their little artful questions made each
anxious pupil squirm
motto we would choose,
How we snapped and scrapped and sputtered
bout the colors we would use;
How at last we've passed the ordeals and, on
graduation day,
We have put before the people plans to take all
ills away;
These and countless other memories rise before
our minds tonight,
Like the fragrance of a garden that we've left
beyond our sight;
Mingled are the varied perfumes OF the flowers
blooming there.
But we recognize each blossom by Its sweetness
in the air.
SO, though we have passed the garden, and can
neer our steps retrace,
While the odor floats around US we will not for
get the place.
Dear old school Wen not forget thee though
no more thy halls we tread,
But in memory still Wen hold thee till our latest
word is said.
Informal toasts followed. John A.
Peters, jr., DR.. George A. Phillips, Miss
M. A. Greedy, Prof. Henry c. Emery, DIR.
Lewis Hodgkins, B. B. Whitcomb and F.
w. Flood responded in order. None OF
the speakers confined themselves to the
toast assigned, but all voiced the senti-
ment OF loyalty to school and school