THE BATTALION
23
the balmy gulf breezes laden with sweet perfume, from the
honey—suckle and hyacinth, and a vision of intoxicated de
light breaks upon us. We imagine the misty veil which
hides us from the future to be lifted, revealing a beautiful
picture of wonderful prosperity and satisfied ambition.
In this fanciful moment we will not forget the many pit
falls and rocky heights and uncertain paths to be passed be
fore we reach the top and look into the vale below, and too?
will not forget public opinion is watching with a cynical eye
our actions and divining our thoughts and motives. In the
language of one of our American poets, we are boys today,
boys tomorrow, and boys as long as life shall bring to us
the memory of the class of 1896. A band in which the in
terest and prosperit3 r of each individual will be the common
properity of all. Though the golden cords are broken today
which have bound us for years in sweet companionship, they
will be replaced by memories chain, the links of which are to
be vivid recollections of victories and defeats in the
conquest of true enlightenment at the A. and M.
college. As we step out upon life’s thorough-fare, experience
will teach us that the high road of our welfare leads along the
old highway of well doing, and that every honestly attained
success treads on the heels of right effort. Today the recall is
sounded and we part, some of us never to meet again, until
the last tattoo shall sound. May it then be, comrades, class
mates, to rally for still higher conquests, where he leads who
is the embodiment and final end of all noble ends and legiti
mate ambitions.
Response to the Valedictory.
BY BEN E. BRYAN.
Members of the Graduating Class, Ladies and Gentlemen:
As one to whom my beloved class has left so great a
charge, I feel overjoyed in this humblo attempt to pour out