The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-03-20
PURDUE's RECENT TROUBLE.
Remarks of student Who Has n Sur
plus Of SOPHOMORE Eloquence.

Purdue Exponent Students Weekly.)
Last week we had each other by the lug
Strife stalked red-handed in our midst, and
wrinkled lines Of care scanned the faculty
brow. Scandal, Wanting and unblushing
hung In pOrtentous groups about the sunny
corners of the campus. darkening and dis
couraging the fair spring days just come
among us.
But already the atmosphere has cleared;
our spring medicine has been taken; our
blood has been thinned. clarified and cooled
at 81 per bottle or $160 in bulk; we have
shed the scrofulous scabs of i'll humor, we
have vented spleen and feel renewed.
rejuvenated and refreshed housekeeping
is nearly over: few new rugs to cover
the holes of rag-time, a few new curtains
to hide from view the wicked past. and we
are ready for the full enjoyment of the
after-lenten season. We will repent until
after Easter, and then IL the bumps of war
shall have sufficiently subsidized We will en-
courage responsibility with a new stiff hat
and that breath of life, a fragrant cigar
cite.
There are those among us on whom the
hand of responsibility has pressed all too
heavily They cannot be expected to re-
cover from the shock with that elastic re-
silence characteristic of the irrespon-
sible, irrepressible youth. whom nothing
troubles long unless IL be the ennui of in
action. But what boots 1t? Such Is the
price of their fame and high position and
they are used 10 IL.
AS for us; but why reflect? Reflection is
a bore. We have demonstrated; that is our
task; let others keep the books. Both press
and postofflce have heralded our fame far
first. Our strong points have been fittinsiy
advertised and already philanthropy is
fumbling with her purse strings. A few
more such trays and millionaire will yet
be found to back Purdue against the world
Tin a pate-rolling contest) We have con-
WINGED our august beneficent legislators
and our good friend, the Governor, that
their confidence in US was not misplaced.
We have proven that all of their liberal
appropriation will find ample work educat-
ing US to keep out of jail.
There Is q further consequence, or, rath-
er, a nearer one-we have strained our re-
lations with our neighbors over the river.
with our friends in Lafayette.
1t Is easy to call the citizens of Lafay--
cite fossils of antiquity" or .crawdabs of
the old canal" but little reflection
proves Ii Is only the duty of the Lafayette
authorities to preserve law and order. even
at the expense OF freshman's or a sopho-
more's love. We know it is little hard to
emphasize the rights of property by put
ting the same valuation on freshman
head as is given plain iron,stone china
to apply literally the Mosaic law of IAN
eye for an eye," a freshmans head for a
soup tureen. especially IL there is anything
in the latter; but an example is sometimes
wholesome.
There is a certain consideration for the
rights, and more particularly the feelings,
OF others that Is too often lost sight of by
mammals high school cadet. 1t does not
mollify the temper act soporific on
the independence nerve OF even plain
blunt man" to have some youth from un-
known Nineveh swagger up Main street in
militant array and flaming numerals, with
clear the track for Purdue! OFF with
your hat, plain cit-recognize the hand that
feeds you. the purse that keeps your chill
dren In school, your son-in-law In the to-
business. brewery
overtime-doff. / say; but for me Lafay-
cite would blow off the map"
Even granting II is all true. is 1t we'll to
constantly remind dependent of his de-
pendence? Does IL improve his humor or
yours? Does ii beget confidence and mutual
esteem? Does it promote your interest OF
hurt his? Ii does not. and know we! o son
of Nineveh; that the father of yon cit of
Lafayette played marbles with John Pur-
due when you were tadpole wriggling in
Know We that this old gentleman, though
not disdaining, Is not dependent on your
surplus. Know We his fathers father traded
with the Indians on this self-same spot,
and let blood that nourished the wild flow
ers of battle-ground. Know We that though
| a reticent. conservative old cuss. he. too. is
perhaps college graduate and owns U. s.
bonds enough to buy all Nineveh.
STUFF and nonsense, comes the reply.
you're a knocker, a tight wad that Pur-
due spirit has never touched you-go serve
butcher-measure ale at the tap-clir
calico-but here Is no place for YOU"
Try and forget IT. Take measure of the
season and nourishment from nature. Out
there on yonder hill is balm enough for all
sore heads and injured feelings. Spring has
come with its largess of soothing infiu-
ences. with perfume of upturned soil and
rich color of spring vegetation, with flow
| ing meadow and singing brook Let's &c
fishing. There Is the true minister of grief
| and promoter of good fellowship.
Come away. for the meadow lark whistles
| I'm the meadow and the red-headed wood
pecker pounds on his hollow tree: the
mourning dove sobs In the grove and the
| bobwhite calls from the hedge row: the ice
| has gone out of the rivers and the willows
| commence to leaf. the frogs 10 croak. and
| insects to buzz Joint then your slender
| pole, get bottle, take IA pipe and come