The Washington times., 1902-05-18

JITHlN month between z'ovo
N/ and 1000 young men and wom-
en- students in the National
Capital Will say farewell to
what are commonly regarded as the hap
piest days of life.
The time is not far distant now when
the multitude OF toilers on the pathway TO
knowledge will have attained the goal of
their ambitions and will receive the
sheepskins that serve as a passport 'out
of the life of school into the school of
lfe." The first stages in the prepara-
tion for the work of some OF the next
generations ablest lawyers, statesmen.
and business and professional men and
women will then have been completed, and
in single night, a night filled with
never-to- forgotten memories, they will
have passed forever out of their rollick-
ing. happy school days into the realm
that holds in store for them the sterner
realities OF life.
That glad. sad longed- for and regretted
day of 'commenceme mt" will have made
them "old grads No more will .hey b.
privileged to join in the class rushes ana
fights that have been SO deaf 10 their
hearts. The joy of sitting on the bleach
ers with "the boys" and roofing IN the old
familiar way at the school ana college
games will be denied them. Pulling an
oar on the varsity crew or twirling ball
on a school nine can never again fall 10
their lot.
Happy Days to Come No More.
In the after days they may watch the
rushes and fights from the edge OF the
conflict, but though an almost unbearable
lonyine may possess them to join in the
.criu. mage and swing an arm In the hght,
they must stand off. They Will be olu
grads" and must keep their distance no
matter how Justify they may JOIN IN the
singing Of the songs at the college games
bowever diligently they may seek 10
delude themselves with the thought ,hai
,bev are back in the school and are hVing
., ali over again, IL can never be just the
,o There is something lacking. Per-
haps it is merely discordant note IN 'he
singing of the dear old songs; maybe
there is lacking the feeling OF homehhe-
ness and comradeship. But whatever II
IS. Il is bound to be there ana lahe 'he
edge off the perfect enjoyment oi 'pe
occasion. They will have had their day
and taken their places among those for
gotten. Others will have taken their
places to fight the battles. sing the songs,
row In the crew, and win the victories for
the school on the gridron and diamond
The dear old days will all be over-for
ever. Only in memories can they exist
I'm the minds OF those who experienced
them.
A graduating class may be held to-
gether for awhile and sumptuous banquets
held and stories told of the schoolday ex-
periences But within a year or two, if
NOT before a member will be called away
into a distant part Of the country; death
may fasten its unconquerable grip upon
some one OF the band, and, no matter how |
brilliant the gathering, the sight of that
that will pervade the jolliest reminis- I
cences and undermine with ring OF in
sincerity the notes of the old college |
tunes.
Sacred Memories.
Whatever achievements may be attained |
I'm later life, whatever heights of great |
ness or depths OF degradation may be |
reached, there are always memories Of
those days In school which are reverently |
given their place among life's most sacred |
treasures.
On account OF the wellknown excellence |
OF washington's educational institutions.
a far larger number of students receive |
their diplomas here each spring than in
many cities Of double its size. With such
magnificent schools. Of which Georgetown
and Columbian Universities and the