The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-03-19

The procession started from the old
South.' left-hanked to the "Old East
and when opposite Person Hall wheeled
to the left and faced for the Hall. the
band, meanwhile blowing their spirit
stirring airs like mad.
The head of the column reached the
threshold Of the old chapel which, in Il
thousand years will he n shrine for liter
AIRY pilgrims There was then and there
momentary pause. Then CASTOR, with
the bearing of old John kemble, enter
ed. thanked on the left and right by Ashe
and Clingman. AShc with Il military
hearing that would have done honor 10
the hero of a thousand bdttIe-hcldS,
Clingman throwing out his lrgs right and
left like he was stiff knerd. and ool,,ng.
for all the world. like l." th0u@nt al ,hc
crowd was looking 1T him and thai Gas
ton and Ashe were, mere small kites
dangling Mt his tail - give pDn,p to his
pageantry But 'oId Billy" had the
brains.
They marched to the rostrum. and rs
they were taking their seats near little
table on which Castor was about placing
his manuscript. Clingman in moving his
awkward legs. knocked the table over
and but for Ashes readiness the table
and perhaps Castor himself, would have
gone spraying ON the floor below.
The Trustees followed and with the
Faculty, headed by "od Bolus," took
their seats on the roStrum like potent.
grave and reverend seignors." The Sen
iors of the Graduating class followed
and took their accustomed seats. that
they were about to VaCate forever for
the rosy drama of life. Then the Jun
iors. then the Sophs. and lastly the
Fresh, proudest of them all. because they
were incipient Sophs., and had thrown
off the Freshman toga
The Fresh had hardly taken their accus-
toned seats in the chapel when the crowd
of visitors broke ranks. rs if in panic, all
pressing forward in eager haste to Get
seats in the chapel. 1t was madding
crowd. heaying and setting in a frantic
mass. that beggars description. Beavers
We're lifted above the crowd of surgine
humanity. Beavers were crushed. Men
were lifted from their feet and borne
along by the struggling and compact
mass. They were an hour pushing. tus-
sling. heaying and setting to get in and
get seats. Tears of perspiration ran
down their rugged cheeks. and passion
was painted on every lineament of that
heaving mob. While they were heavine
near the door, we. freshman. full Of adj
miration for greatness, crcpt up TO Il
standing place III the aisle near the
speaker, and waited there, standing with
in five feet of him.
At length the mob subsIlod and 81.
standing places. and the hall was iammed
and crammed. Jack l,aughtOn of Tyr
rel, Senior friend and we stood near
together. and gave the speaka. rapt at
tention during the hour and t,Yenty min
utes Of his delivery.
1t was a grand effort. the geandest that
CASTOR ever made, and should now be in
the hands of every school hoy and every
man Of generous aspirations in the State.
Ii should go down the genera tions as
the companion piece of his Sta+e anthem
TO the Old North State. L should be
taught in our schools. 1t should be com
mitted to memory in classes T. should
he acclaimed on our school l.oafds. 1t
should be adopted as a classic in our les
sons of elocution. 1t would max rs bet
ter boys. better men, better scholars,
more accomplished gentlemen.
r. b. CREEPY