Image provided by: Texas A&M University
About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (April 17, 1914)
•a-c- «••» a-a aa aa aa aa aa aa aa aa aa aa aa aa aa aa aa aa aa aa aa aa aa aa aa aa aa aa aa aa aa aa aa aa aa aa aa aa aa aa aa aa aa Go to W. C. BOYETT’S For Athletic Underwear. Toilet Articles of all descrip tions. Stationery both Monogramed and Sealed Always a Fresh Line of Chocolate Candies and Cakes on Hand STAPLE GROCERIES—Campus Trade Especially Solicited PROMPT DELIVERY PHONE 44 aa a a aa aa aa aa aa aa aa aa aa aa aa aa aa aa aa aa aa aa aa aa aa aa aa aa aa aa aa aa aa aa aa aa aa aa aa aa aa aa aa aa aa aa THE ORIGIN OF CUSTOMS. There are quite a number of annual happenings at this institution that, so far as the merit thereof is concerned, have no real meaning. They seem to have originated through certain hap penings and the coming classes have adopted these incidents and made an nual customs thereof. One very striking and “elevating” custom is the tendency that each class shows to paint its class numeral at the lofty height of the standpipe. Why they do this no one knows. Of course, it is the source of much amusement in the Northern colleges, hut here the students seem to do it merely by in stinct. Everything has its origin—so has the standpipe affair at the Texas A. & M. College. It happened in the spring of 1910, when the class of T2 were sophomores. The class of ’ll intended to put on a big show at the college chapel. They were advertising gloriously. All over the campus you would see some sign or another that would naturally arouse a curiosity in the passerby. With the hope of doing something real spectacular, and some thing which would let the people know that the class of T1 was on their feet, the advertising committee painted the numerals of their class on the stand pipe, and this in their class colors. There was no hope on the part of the junior class to demonstrate the fact that they were the only class who would brave to that perilous height. But their idea was mistaken by the class of ’12. One of the latter class members went to the top of the stand pipe in the middle of the night, and with a few sturdy strokes covered the “lofty” spirit of the juniors. Trouble ensued. The juniors had a meeting one Sunday afternoon in which they discussed the various arrangements for a tree planting which they would have that same day. Nothing was said in their meeting about the standpipe affair. But some Junior thought he would be wise and told a few of the sophomores that as. soon as the tree planting was over there would be some sophomore belt practice. This news fled to the ambitious young disciples like wild fire. There was a secret meeting of the T2 class called at once. Here they decided to put on their old clothes and go to the juniors’ ceremonies prepared to battle. They did this, but the juniors showed no attempt to carry out tl\efr plans. That night when the president of the junior class heard this he called for the soph president, had the matter in vestigated and the miscreant of the standpipe apologized in person. Thus originated the affair that has brought tears to the eyes of the weakhearted, sent students to their homes, and has caused the freshmen to go without “kush.” There used to he little trouble taken with the toastmaster. Now it is only a common occurrence to have the honored party staked in some desert ed corner for a day or two before the junior banquet is being pulled off. This has all come as the result of a precedent set by Kern, Beasley and several othrs. It happened in 1912, when Lundy Millinder was yell leader, that the aforenamed ruffnecks coaxed the toastmaster to the telephone of fice, under the pretense of a message from a fair one at Corsicana, Texas. Lindy went in a hurry, and in a still greater hurry he was maneuvered to the outskirts of the campus, where he was forced to remain until the ban quet was almost over. This little in cident has caused the coming classes to keep their eyes open and protect the man who is to guide them through one of the most pleasant affairs of their college career. The corps would at times celebrate a football victory. For this they had many different ways. One of the most striking means of showing college spirit was brought about in 1902. This was the first time that A. & M. had ever defeated the University. The en tire corps walked to Bryan, built a bonfire and had a great time. Ever since then it has been customary that, when the red and white subdues the orange and white, “there will he a bonfire in Bryan that night.” This completes the customs, but there is a fine rule which the faculty is putting into practice at the present time. That is, the selection of officers according to their class standing and their military ability, and not accord ing to their popularity. This is one of the best rules that has ever been adopted by the faculty and it is hoped that it will help the standing of the school as much as it will benefit the men who know they have something to work for. THE EARS OF LOVE. Poor, pining little thing (in deep thought): “That’s Johnny’s knock; but its the way Edwin wipes his boots.’ Training Time means denying yourself many pleasant things. It never bars out Coca-Cola. The leading athletes and ball- players in the country endorse it. In training quarters or on the field they drink it for the refreshment and benefit they have found it contains. Delicious -— Refreshing Thirst - Quenching THE COCA-COLA CO. Atlanta, Ga. Whenevct you see an Arrow think of Coca-Cola