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Illinois Verse/Open House

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4364845Illinois Verse — Open HouseAnna Shattuck Palmer
Open House
Open House we've known for twenty years
And more. The engineers first opened up
Their wonders of whirling wheels and belts and gears
And blazing electric lights and in spite of fears
The public entered to wonder and admire.

Then physics offered its mysteries to all;
The glorious beauty of its Geysler tubes,
The delicate instruments that rise and fall
At slightest pressure; and sounds that oft appal
The ignorant, yet hold a fascination.

Chem Open House is not so fair to see
With test-tubes, carboys and desks so grimly marred.
But in a cave they practice alchemy
In secret, and wonder grows how it can be
This marvelous science was saved for us today.

The Ags and Household open up their doors
And offer hospitality to all
So thru their corridors a great crowd pours,
Investigates and eagerly explores;
Sees and hears and even tastes delights.

A settled custom this has long become
To let the students and the public know
The work that each department does and some
Of the wonders wrought. With all, some tricks and fun,
And what more popular than Open House!