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Show U T O N I ANNineteen TwelveThe Flag RushAFTER the many years in which we have witnessed each fall a Freshman display of muscle, popularly called a flag rush, we were agreeably surprised this year to be treated to a manifestation of upper classmen brains. Feeling that the Fresh-ies had too long posed as the conquering heroes, the Sophomores persuaded the upper classes to devise some epoch making change by which they might free themselves from the disgrace of repeated defeat. Alter a long and weighty consultation, the Juniors and Seniors proposed a new flag rush, or more properly, a pole rush, an admirably worked out scheme for which they deserve undying gratitude.The rag for which Freshmen and Sophomores proposed to engage in mortal conflict was hoisted to the top of a twenty-five foot pole, around which the Sophomores massed themselves, determination written on their pale countenances. Forty yards away the line of eager, blood-thirsty Freshies chafed impatiently until the signal, then rushed madly upon the little group, which they thought to soon annihilate. Two valiant Sophs ascended the perilous pole quickly, resolved to guard the flag of superiority, if need be, with their lives. The onslaught of the Freshmen was hidden in mighty clouds of dust that rolled upward, concealing the combatants. Frequently a young warrior would emerge from the sturggling mass with a wriggling Sophomore in his firm grasp, whom he would fling upon the 'ground and proceed to sit upon. Soon the field was strewn with conquered and conquerors, but still the dense clouds of dust rolled upward around the pole. With a mighty leap over the kicking, rolling bunch of arms and legs, Tommy Harper, a courageous '14, seized the pole and began to climb. He was about to pluck victory in the form of the flag and confer everlasting disgrace upon the '13's when one of the men up the pole, to save the name of the class, violated a rule of the combat, pushing valiant Tommy gently back to earth. Conventionality and the tedious onlookers demanded that the game be stopped while the offender and his comrade were ignominiously hauled down.Again the conflict renewed itself. The Sophomores, though well nigh exhausted, still battled manfully. No other Freshman was permitted even to place a desecrating hand on the sacred pole. When time was called the Sophomores remained in undisputed possession of the fluttering flag. Amidst enthusiastic cheers, the heads of the brave winners were metaphorically wreathed with laurel and they were borne away triumphantly on the shoulders of the multitude."S. H." NORDVALLWho says, "Go 'way mit your scraps'190 |