“My contemporaries,” he began, pointing with the cigar toward the fireworks in the wagon, “have been doing such good work that I feel handicapped. But I want to say that the greatest thing in this great university on this great night, next to the great class of ’Umpty-six, is the great Frank Merriwell!”
Then they cheered again.
“Now,” said Billy, when he could again be heard, “I want to tell you what Frank Merriwell has done for Yale. He has made for her the proudest athletic record of any college in the country. Since the day that he was placed in command not one important game has been taken from us. It was he who arose in time to lift Yale from the slough of despond into which she had fallen, and it was he who has led her to the dazzling heights of glory where she now stands. That’s not all. While he has uplifted Yale he has risen himself, until to-day he is known from the broad Atlantic to the blue Pacific. Yea, wherever the flag of our country floats, the glorious Stars and Stripes, there has spread the name and fame and glory of Merriwell, of Yale.”
It was impossible for him to continue until they had cheered again.
“Even to foreign lands his glory has spread,” the speaker went on. “Wherever the English language is spoken the name of Merriwell may be heard. From the Klondike to Patagonia, from the Philippines to South Africa, he is known and admired and reverenced as the model American youth. Old men commend him to the young, the young try to model after him, and even the child at its mother’s knee lisps the name of Merriwell.”
“Oh, say!” muttered Frank; “he’s putting it on too thick! I can’t stand this!”
But Billy was ready to switch now, although he had no thought of stopping. He waved his hand, and sparks flew from his glowing cigar.
“Now,” he shouted, “I want to tell you what ’Umpty-six has done for Yale. ’Umpty-six is the greatest class that ever graduated from Yale!” he declared, with another wild gesture that caused him to drop his cigar. “’Umpty-six is——”
Bang—barked a cannon cracker in the wagon.
“’Umpty-six——”