An Uncommon Reader

Common threads, expressed in the idioms of the times, weave through the decades of logbooks stored at the College library. For nearly a century students have written about looming finals and elaborate meal planning, how the group before left dirty dishes and no firewood, and the wild wonder of the outdoors in a style unique to their era. Here's a sampling.

"Qur coffee all drunk, curled up in a bunkWe [played] Hearts with the dishes at stakeAid' went in the hole, then over the coalWe essayed some popcorn to make," (Moose Cabin, 1913) "Hooray, hooray, we're on the trail again.We're: .going to Cube Mountain and we're,hoping it won't rain.We're feeling pretty peppy now for we're onthe trail again.But when we get to Cube how will our pep be(hen?"{Moose Cabin, 1916) "I wish the next mart here luck with the greenwood.'' (Great Bear Cabin, 1919) "Some recent visitors had left such a mess ofperishable food, grease, salt, soap, and refuse t:on the kitchen shelves, we turned away andate at the Italian's restaurant. That at leastwas clean," (Agassi? Cabin, 1922)! "Found: One empty champagne bottle.What's the matter?Vodka not good enough?"doesn't quite describe it!" (Armington Cabin, next day, 1956): "The marijuana-Chablis-hiking expeditionperformed a huge concert in front of 40,000screaming, biting black flies." (Happy Hill Cabin, 1973) "We came up here for fun, fun, fun. We'veeating well: sushi, brie;grapes, goatcheese, rum cakes and cannolis from theNorth End."(Kmmm Cabin, 1999) "The Delta girls (Delta, Delta, Delta, can wehelpya, helpya, helpya) came for a little se-nior retreat action. Ate Way too much food, even sang '80s rock ballads. Seniors rick!" (Hinman Cabin, 2000)