The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1918-04-04

BILL"
BY Mrs. Bernice Arqabriqht


Delivered at the Normal Banquet
Bill, the promising young son Of
Berea Normal, was born in the fer
tile minds Of some good Berea work
ers several years ago. He was a
sickly child, and had il not been for
the tender care and watchfulness
of men like Secretary Vaughn
and Professor Lewis. he would
never have survived the cold re-
bufIs Of this cruel world. Dean
Dinsmore used to stand over his
cradle, and, looking down at the
frail child. he would say. bill, Bill.
you are too frail flower for this
world. But | will not lose all hope.
Some day | hope 10 see kentucky's
fair girls casting coqucttish glances
in your direction and to hear them
say. IL was you, Bill. who did SO
much for me-"
But the child did not die. He was
fed on the good wishes of all Berea.
Trying TO live on good wishes alone
is like trying to live on kisses and
cheese. and needless TO say. Bills
strength did not keep pace with his
body. When Dean McAllister came
10 Berea, he found Bill tall, slim,
pale. yellow haired youth.
Dean Mac looked him over and
said he believed he could make a
man of him. Prof. Lewis encourage
ed and promised 20 help him in ev-
cry possible way. Now the Spartans
as you know, used to take their
weak children out on the side of
the mountain where they were ex-
posed to the weather for a few
weeks. and if they survived. they
were considered worth saving. And
So. Dean Mac said, 81 believe | will
take Bill down to Frankfort, and If
he can swim through that political
sea down there. he will be a son
OF whom Berea may be proud"
Two years ago Dean Mac took |
Bill to Frankfort He gave him a
few directions for swimming and
pushed him off into deep water.
Bill kicked. spluttered. and struck |
out blindly. but he could not swim.
BY his side were boys of not half |
the promise of our Bill. They We're
upheld and pushed along by money.
selfish interests, greed, and corrupt
politics. Dean Mac shook his head
and said. "NOne Of these for Bill. If
he can't swim on his own merits let
him fail"
Bill was finally stranded on little
island and Dean Mac gathered him
up and brought him back home.
But the plunge had helped our
Bill. He began to gain strength
rapidly. Dean Mac fed him not on
good wishes alone. but On good
hard work and earnest endeavor.
He took time to train him. and last
January Bill was in fine condition.
Prof. Dix and Prof. Hunt said, why
don't you give the boy another
chance, Dean Mac? He is in fine
shape. We will do your work while
you are gone"
So with fear and trembling we
our Bill make another fight
at Frankfort. Dean Mac pushed
him Off at the right moment. Prof.
Lewis and Secretary Vaughn saw
him swim off like man. Hungry
politicians threw stones at him.
but at the word from the faithful
on the shore, Bill duckcd
his head and reappeared again far
from their reach. Little selfish
swimmers tried TO swamp him. and
at one time he was waylaid from
two o'clock in the afternoon until
ten o'clock the next morning. But
he steadily gained over his OppO-
lents, outstripped his enemies and
pulled up on the shore with an
overwhelming majority.
And he now stands before us
Young man Of much promise bles-
sing to Berea and the State Of Ken