The Free lance. (State College, Pa.) 1887-1904, March 01, 1892, Image 15

Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page. It is also available as plain text as well as XML.

    at were hit,. it would show very bad taste to get
angry, and even if they were inclined to resent it
by throwing back, by the time they looked around
the person who threw the ball was skulking out of
sight. The proper thing to do according to the
idea of the one who does such a cowardly act is
to laugh and take it for a good joke. One of the
best examples of the demoralizing effect of the
peculiar influence that develops with this kind of
snow-balling was witnessed the other day while
walking past where some small boys were coast
ing. Coming along the street some little distance
away and at right angles to the street upon which
the boys were coasting were a couple of men. The
boys intent with their sport did not notice the men
coming. Apparently the men took advantage of
this fact, and the snow being in good conditon to
make good hard snow-balls they began to throw at
the little boys, and before the youngsters had time
to know. where the snow balls were coming from
one little fellow was struck fair on the forehead
with such force as to almost knock him over. The
tears sprang to his .eyes but as his companions
were standing about it seemed as if the little fel
low was too plucky to show the weakness of tears,
so he turned his head away and walked a little
aside from the crowd.
The big hulking fellow when he saw what he
had done came up laughing, and tried to turn it
off as a good joke, and feeling ashamed of having
thrown the snowball himself, he endeavored to
put the blame on his companion. Now the act
was done by a person who no doubt would resent
with righteous indignation the merest imputation
that he possessed a low cowardly or dishonorable
nature. But from the bare evidence of fact what
mast the verdict be. You, perhaps, who many
times before in moments of thoughtlesness, have
committed acts that would be classed in the same
category,but which are forgotten almost with the in
stant of the deed, would without any hesitation con
demn such an outrage in no complimentary terms.
Much more could be said on thissubject, and num
bers of examples could be given to bring out the
IHE FtiEE "LANCE.
bad phase of character which this kind of snow
balling develops; but enough has;; been said to
prove its existence, and it is for each individual to
ask himself, to what extent this spirit influences
his own character. •
THE SECOND ANNUAL WINTER.
ATHLETIC MEETING.
On Saturday ovening, March sth, the annual
indoor meeting was held in the college armory.
The affair was a decided success, and. is. a most
encouraging sign of our ability to make a good
record in general athletics in the near future. The
work of our new trainer told on every hand and the
effect of his coaching the men showed greatly in
their style of work. The performance of the sprint.
ers, jumpers, and shot throwers was noticably a
great improvement over last winter's performance.
A number of new men participated who. proved
their ability, with practice to make first class run-
A REVERIE.
While here I sit disconsolate, unhappy, •
Hard striving on yon book to fix my brain ;
Come thoughts unbidden that 'most drive me Crazy
And render all my violent efforts vain.
Oh would that I had been a swarthy Arab,
Then free I'd roam Sahara's torrid sand,
And some oasis make my blissful dwelling
As ohlef of some untamed nomadic band.
No stupid mathematics then would bore me,
Or fear of tutors make me ill at ease,
All day I'd prey upon belateclAravelers,
Or smoke my pipe neatli oriental trees.
To wand'ring minstrels ever I'd give welcome .
And make them for me playlltheir harps and sing •
For wives I'd steal a dozen dark eyed beauties.
From harems of some rival desert:king.
Oh what a jolly, Jolly life I'd lead me,
Wild roaming o'er the arid trackless plain,
Free, free from all these cursed college customs
That cause one naught but frenzied grief and pain
Oh would that I had boon a warty Arab.
And free could roam Sahara's torrid sands,
Instead of what I am, a hard worked Junior
A calculus gripped hard within his hands.
J. 11. J.O.
--«~»--