1902

Probably many alumni of the Dr. Tucker period have at times been surprised, dismayed, or amused when they made even casual comparisons of the financial problems they faced with those confronting the students of today. Without any attempt to add to such a list, it may be more interesting to mention some of the jobs which men of our day found in order to live while they learned.

We arrived early in the stage of general heating. That meant a chance for one of our men to shovel coal into the fire-boxes under the steam boilers. It may no longer be permissible for students to board themselves in dormitory rooms, using kerosene stoves to cook whatever food requires such treatment. Monitoring attendance at classes may be out of fashion now, but it provided some small returns to several of us without demanding much expenditure of time. The names on the diplomas we received had been artistically lettered in Old English by a classmate.

If there were occasional shortages of handyman help at professors' houses, replacements could be found in the student body. Until the advent of College Hall with its dining room, there were numerous eating places in houses in town where student help varied all the way from washing dishes and waiting on table to the more demanding task of managing the facility.

There were no automobiles to wash or drive. A few of the faculty had horses, and usually found experienced students to care for them.

The most unique job was that of the man whose room was under the belfry of Old Dartmouth Hall. He had to ring the bell at the times and in the manner required by college authorities. The 7 a.m. rising bell may have been slightly delayed occasionally, but the 8 o'clock chapel call had to be right on the dot. This always ended with a short series of single strokes, the last one of which brought the sudden closing of the chapel door. Young folks must remember that chapel attendance was required.

Just as some of the opportunities mentioned may no longer exist, there are numerous modern ones quite unknown in our day. And always, as long as students are born with any spirit of pioneering, there will be those who will manage to invent new ones.

Secretary, 6 Pasture Lane Darien, Conn. 06820