The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1903-09-15
CHAPEL BILL THEN AND Row.
Il Old Student Returns and MUSES. Over the
Changes Wrought.

To the Editor: After an absence
OF t~wenty-four years l again re
turned to the University Of the Old
North State and stood once more be
meath the mantling boughs Of these
proud oaks, whose thick foliage chastens
into mellow delight the radiance of the
noon day sun and clothes the evening
twilight with 4 somber GOODNESS, that be.
gulles the tortured SOIL of care into the
droWsy realms Of pleasing memories.
Truly, it is an enchanted fountain, inspir-
ing youth with hope and high resolve.
AS | walked once more through the
lanes and streets of the village and be
held the vine covered stone walls, and
strolled along the avenues and graveled
walks Of the dear old historic campus.
and stood again at the brin of the old
college well and drank that VIGOROUSLY
pure and sparkling water, and gazed on
the venerable walls Of the old buildings,
moss covered and gray with age, and be-
held the beautiful architecture of the
new buildings, the past and present came
together, d~eluging my soul with a ming
ling flood Of emotions hitherto unknown.
While standing here upon the narrow
peninsular Of the present, the mighty
waves of memory from the far off ocean
OF the past pouring In upon NE, and the
ebblng tide Of anxiety, sympathy and hope
leading me on, and out. over the breakers
INTO the future with the young voyagers
Of today, I find myself bewildered ana
lost IN a multitude Of memories and ar
tioipation for the expression of which I
can find no adequate language.
As l look backward I can see-or seem
o see-upon the far off shore Of the past,
the gray-haired dignifed professor and
student body of twenty-four years ago,
who were ny instructors and associates.
I can see them in the class room, on the
play ground, around the imnroyised table
upon which the passover supper was
served-in the society halls-on the ros-
trum on graduation day. | can see them
rigging their banks for lfe's voyage
away back ii tie days that are gone, and
like a Heavenly benediction the anxious
s0Ncitude Sud prayers OF that noble
corps OF professors go with their pu-
rils or their journey. But one by one
the white sails bearing the faculty on
over lies stormy way, nave disappeared
till there is only enc in sight, whose oc-
cupants, though weak and weary from
the long journey, with gray hairs stream
ing in the breeze. still, peacefully follows
them with pure heart and purpose true,
the passengers.
The students. too, are scattered-some
sowed the seeds Of death in early life, AMI
though afterwards they seized the helm
with manly courage and high resolve. died
by degrees on the deck, and the Skelc-
ton of their hopes only remains as 3
warning to future sojourneIs on lies
troubled way-others d~isregarding the
~admonitiors of VISIONS chart. recklessjy
yentured too near the seething whirlpool
Ct idlencss and pleasure ard sank beneath
the surface-othcIs struck upon the fatal
rock OF dissipation and with battered hull
ard snlinterei mast sank into the dark
waters of oblivion. Others are still labor
ing in the midst Of the rough sea OF
envy and Jealousy. and many have been
retarded by adverse winds OF misfortune
and storms of affection. while some have
reached the shining shore Of success aud
reared there their palaces of varied
beauty. grace and grandeur.
Yielding to my anxiety, sympathy and
hope. I turn to the future. l see a more
numerous faculty and much more youth
ful. Having passed middle age myself,
the professors and doctors Of today look
to ne like a class OF sophomores.
The student body has Q~uadrupled IL
number, and they are all now setting
their sails for what seems to them a
smooth VOYAGE over hopes bright sea of
future possibilities.
With trembling eagerness and high ex-
pectation. they uncoil the rope of the
main sail, and stretching it to its utmost