Stories For A Century

Lucius Carroll '55

Tonight has been long awaited by some, for others, it has been a dreadful thought. Most boys take the occasion very calmly, but not our “Cedar” boys!  If one were to visit the little red house previous to the zero hour, one would find the “hackers hide-away” a place of confusion and noise. One would find most of the boys standing in front of their mirrors beautifying themselves.

It all starts around 5:00 p.m. with a roar of the showers which continues until 5:30 p.m. There is a continuous borrowing of ties, shirts, shoe polish, etc. by unfortunate boys who are lacking the required equipment necessary to be prepared for the dance. There is also a constant stream of boys leading down to the bathroom to put the “GL-70” and “Gardol” to work, and to scrub their fangs. After the boys are all washed as clean as a whistle, the fun begins. One boy usually finds out he is out of socks and his laundry is not back, so he must borrow. There is an unending string of chatter from room to room. Finally everybody is dressed and goes downstairs to tea. Over the rattle of tea cups and the munching of cake a varied discussion is carried on, usually about one's “girl-friend” at home and how nice she is. Of course, it would be a sin not to mention the master who tries so hard to control us and also keep the noise down to a dull roar. He is very brave to take on the job. Finally the moment comes for us to depart and the “Cedarites” go marching on!