That thinned the class to Burney Cole, and he
Stood up and spoke twelve minutes scared to death.
Progress of Science was his theme, committed
To memory, the gestures timed, they trained him
Out in the woods near Big Creek.
Lil and I
Sat there and laughed—the town was in the hall,
Applause terrific, bouquets thick as hops.
And when they handed Burney his diploma
The crowd went wild.