Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-06-03
The Class Gifts.

feet. .4.=5 .s#
The Class Gifts.
Then followed Some more charming
musical selections, after whieh FRANK
Arthur Smith. The class president,
gave the usual gifts TO members oil
the class, AS usual, most oh these
gifts were of the numerous type.
Burleigh Cushing RodieiS of Freeport,
the alderman of the class. was pre-.
scented with waisteoat. clyde Kay
mond Chapman. the reeluse4 ef the
class, vas given q prayer book. The
class thief (of Time, Arthur Deenan
WEIGH, of Portland was presented
with an alarm clock As charner of
the class, Robert Danforth Cole CT
Arlington Heights was given snake.
Finally, the class popular man. John
Lawrence Hurley Of Maiden, Mass,
was given the wooden spoon As
President Smith presented the spoon
to Mr.. Hurley. he spoke as follows;
The selection of our Popular Man
has been something more than mere
ly picking the most likeable fellow.
Rather have we selected that man
who is the truest representative of the
VI litft DOtiNs INT OIiC fftA1'i ~ 'AASAh
is combined all of the best qualities
OF our class.
Since 1912 shows great all round de-
velepment it is necessary that our
representative must be man of like
caliber; therefore we are justified IL
feeling that there are no others like
INTO our Jack, for where is To be
found such gentle disposition and
noble simplicity together with n
strong character and virile manhood.
Ii is all the more to the credit of
John Lawrence Hurley that in 4
class. containing so many capable
men, he is our unanimous choice for
the most coveted honor which can
possibly come 70 Bowdoin under
graduate.
Mr.. Hurley, you are today the re-
cipient OF the greatest honor which is
in the power of 1872 TO bestow on any
man. not only because the Almighty
has endowed you with such noble
traits of character. but also because
You have improved your talents ten
fold Whether in the class room. fra
ternity house. or on the athletic field
we have never found you other than
one OF nature >
On behalf of the class of 1912 / pre-
sent you with this spoon. May you
always feel that every fibre in this
piece of wood represents a good wish,
while the force that binds the whole
together is like the love which will
always endear you to the hearts of
YOUR classmates"
Mr.. Hurley in accepting the gift
spoke as follows: Mr.. President
Your words fill me with almost in
effable happiness. and a flood of ten
der emotions, the sweetest and most
joyous | have ever experienced, sends
the blood thrilling through my veins.
Classmates ri thank you for this
gift. Simple as 1t is. it is more
precious to me than the treasures of
kings, for in it's simplicity it bears
that which transcends all material
things-for the noble sentiments of
love and friendship. ssestp
That you have chosen me as the OBJ
ject of your affection and esteem is
especially gratifying, for | fully
realize the wealth of sentiment exist
| ing in our class, the spirit of good
will and affectionate regard, which
has enabled US to live together for
| three years in almost perfect harmony
| with hardly cloud to dim our sunny,
college life. l know, too, the large
number of splendid fellows we have,
and, as our president has said. the
many capable men contained in the
class and to be chosen popular man
from such body is the highest honor
| have ever dreamed of receiving.
| Although the old tradition will not
permit me to stray beyond certain
bounds in accepting this gift. | think
II will not be amiss If ] explain to
YOU the origin of the wooden spoon
custom i'm so far as l have been able
to learn it. The practice originated
in Cambridge University, England
and was adopted by Yale about SO
years ago. What the significance oil
the spoon was in Cambridge | was
unable to discover. but in Yale it took
the form that exists here today, thai
1t was presented to the most popular
man in the Junior class. Bowdoir
adopted the custom about 90 years
ago, | believe. and ii has been held
ever since.
Classmates, with the years of ira.
J ultion surrounding it with a peculiar
reverence, and with the richness Of
J sentiment which is woven into its
} very hpres' need I tell you that this
"poueh spoon will always be cher
ishea among my dearest possessions.
Y Ana' IN years to come, when amid the
.'iS ana cares of life. my eyes shall
: resi- upon 1T, how can l fail to feel tbs
u mystic spell, the gentle soothing
: Natm that VIII take me back In ten.
: aef recollection to this. the happies
naS IN all our happy college years
u such time. perhaps. l will in
u uuise IN the strange coneeit that will
e en's spoon we, members of the clas.
u VI 1872 imhihed that spirit which