Page 88 - 1930 Hartridge

TEnPDRHETMDRES
Academic Prize Essay
O TEiMPORA, O MORES!
I opened the yellow telegraph form and read again the message which had notified New York of the proposed visit of Daedalus, the emi­ nent Greek architect and first of all the flyers. The statement was con­
firmed hy the “welcome” signs adorning all points of vantage, hy the fire boats playing jets of water in every direction, hy the crowds thronging
Battery Park, and by the cordial smile which Grover Whalen was assum­ ing for the occasion as we steamed out in the tug “ Macon” to greet the
world’s first authority on aeronautics.
On the incoming liner we met Daedalus, resplendent in his latest
tailored model of flowing white robes, and after hearing his sonorous remarks in greeting, we disembarked, took our places in the parade, and moved slowly up Broadway, accompanied by the screaming of sirens, the
blare and hoot of whistles, and cheers wildly enthusiastic. The air was full of fluttering bits of paper; ticker tape streamed from every window and from the august beard of the visitor who sat on the turned-back top
of the car, beaming complacently except when he gave a supercilious glance at the uncouth modern buildings. His interest in the hovering squadron of aeroplanes seemed rather of the I-told-you-so variety, hut he was childishly intrigued by the motorcycles of our police guards.
When we reached the City Hall, we waited ten minutes for Mayor Jimmie Walker, who, oddly enough, happened to be in New York, and during this time Daedalus took advantage of the Opportunity to try the
winds, note the passage of birds, and generally look for divine omens. With the conclusion of these ceremonies we went on to the banquet at which the guest of honor distinguished himself by gravely raising his demi-tasse and pouring out a libation to the gods. Unmindful of the
rapidly spreading stain on the white linen and the murmurs about “tem­ peramental celebrities,” he continued his address.
“ Much of my success is due to the splendid assistance of my pub­ licity manager, Mr. Publius Ovidius Naso, and ------”
I rubbed my eyes, yawned, turned over uncier the covers, and faced my own bewildered countenance staring back at me from the mirror. In­ deed, these subjects for the Annual are becoming weighty matters I
T. B., ’30
l^age Eighty-four