Daily national Republican. (Washington City [D.C.]) 1870-1872, 1872-10-08
THE YALE crush"
DlOOdlcSs War OF the SOphs and Freshmen n
"Sevcnty.nTe" Against ''SeTrntJ.slT."

DlOOdlcSs War OF the Sophs and Freshmen
''SeNcnty.hTe" Against "SeTrntJ.slK."
Iron the Yale Record
Since the days when the term rush
meant a street brawl In the night and fight
over bangor involving more or less danger
from the minlous OF the law and the vlgllant
faculty, a change has come over tue college
to such an extent that what was once a piece
Of sheer rOwdyism, fraught with very great
personal risk has come 10 he a harmless
amusement baTbarOus II you please, but still
as free from danger as a football match and
conducted upon very much the same princ-
pies. To describe one Of these PUSHES Is but
to follow the thrOng that once year makes
Its way To Hamilton Park, and stay with II
Till 1t has gradually dispersed In the gather
ing darkness that covers Its return. Such q
one was that of last Saturday. Al about a
quarter Of six the two youngest classes who
for the last fifteen minutes had been mar
shaling In the opposite corners Of the field,
began that slow, well-tlmed march where
every foot comes down at the same time, aud
| the whole body closely locked together sways
from side to side as one living mass.
The juniors had formed the freshmen into
a compact body, consisting Of about twenty
five ranks four deep, with the heaviest men
III iiont, arms Iutkeu, shoulders damned
| together, and feet moving In mark time"
i
Grs there were, too, who from without their
ranks should aid their comrades and harass
| the foe by dragging out" their men and
| breaking mp their ranks after the first meet
| ing OF the opposing bodies. There was 10
the front rank Of the freshmen a lame man,
| but of immense chest and shoulders, and a.
plucky as you please. II Ia said that during
one OF the PUSHES, when sOph was Juggling
at his head and shoulders In vain attempt
| TO drag him out" of the ranks, he said,
please let me hang on; I've only got one
leg to stand on" The sOphOmOrGs had
formed themselves according TO plan pre-
vlOusly drawn up, and numbered about nine
ty, their strength lying In their superior skill
aud experience. And now these two bodies
move slowly across the field directly towards
each other. Nearer aud nearer yet they
drew, each side surrounded by admlrlng
friends, who cheer them on. The sOphs aud
fresh have ceased their "mark. time" shouts,
as every breath lst be needed In another mo-
ment. And now but few feet are left be-
tween tue two swaying masses Of solid hui
mainly.
Firm paced and slow, a hOrrld front they form,
sun as tho breeze but dreadful as the storm.
One foot Ia all that remains Of the space
between, whom, "a by sudden Impulse, both
parties leap together and each struggles to
hack down the other For moment the
result is doubtful, hut not for long. Slowly
and the sOphOmOres are forced back step by
step; but now organization gives place to dis
order, and the widest confusion ensnes
What was moment ago an orderly rank OF
marcherF, becomes bowling, hatless dusty,
struggling mob. Fragments of clothing be-
deck the sward, aud there are many coats
without backs, and no less backs without
coats. And a shot now arises, MAKE a
ring make a rlng!" and In the midst OF the
yelling tagging, confusion, a space Is made
around a couple who are wrestling. OF course
they are sOph and fresh, but before they can
exhibit their skill the crowd surges upon
them and they are separated. Cheers for 20
now burst from one hundred thTOuts and
each party retres TO its former place, eager
to renew the fray.
The second rush Ia but repetition Of the
first, only that this time the sOphOmOres are
victorious; and the third Ia like both the
Others but Just Us one side Is giving way a
score Of hands are raised, and the cry, "a
man down." stops both sides, and when the
crowd has withdrawn, 10! our lame friend Of
the freshman class energies smiling and
happy, aud not the least bit scared. Between
the second and third Tushes there are two
wTestles between the "best men" OF rs aud
49, resulting both times In favor of 70. And
now all make for gate, and the road home Ia
one continual squabble and an unceaslng Gu
deayOr on the one side to retain and on the
other to obtain possession Of the sidewalk.
Darkness now makes friend and Toe alike,
and IN the gathering Obscurlty the crowd
disperses through the various Streets aud
thus ends one more repetition Of that annual
display Of folly, without which Yale would
not be Yale.