The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-07-04
HARVARD IN EARLIER DAYS.
Senator HOnr Tells of Events When
He wns n COlleEinn.

prom Scribner's Magazne.)
/ suppose there was more turbulence ard
what would be called rowdyism in my dry
than now. At any rate. / do not hear OF
such things very often nowadays But it
was usually OF a harmless char acter. TEere
were very, few instances. indeed. OF wat
would be called dissipation, still fewer Ct
actual vice. The only game which was
much in vogue was football Tnere WIS a
little attempt 10 start the English game
OF cricket, and occasionally. in the spring,
the oldfGshioned. simple game OF baseball
was played.
But the chief game was football. which
was played from the beginning of the Sep
tember term until the cold weather Sc. in.
and sometimes. 1 believe. in the spiiag. 1t
was very unlike the game IS at PIE eat
carried on. After evening prayers, which
were over about five or ten minutes aftar
6, the boys repsired to the footba
ground and ranged themselves on sides
nearly equal in number. II one size
thought they were not fairly matched they
would shout, More. mo.e! until enough
went over to them from the other side 10
make it about equal. Then one OF the best
kickers gave the ball kick toward the
other side OF the field. and there was rush
and an attempt to get it past the gofl.
Nobody was allowed to Pick up the feo ball.
or to run with it in his hand. fast rum
ner and good kicker who could get the Ia l
little. outside OF the line of his antagon-
lists could often make great progress with
it across the field before he was intercept
cd. 1t was allowable to trip up one of the
other side by thrusting the foot before him.
But touching an opponent with the hand
would have been resented as an assault AMI
insult. The best football players were.
commonly, rot the strongest men. but tie
Swiftest runners.
The boys generally boarded in the COL
lege commons. where they could board for |
s225 a week on one side. and on the other, |
called Starvation commons" for s1-75 a |
week. In the latter they had meat only |
every ether day. A few OF the sons OF |
the weather. families boarded in private !
houses where the rate of board varied /
from So to $3.50 a week. The rooms were |
furnished very simply. almost always with |
out carpets, though in rare instances the |
floors would be covered with a cheap car
pet, which did not last very well under the |
wear and tear OF boyish occupation.
The students generally made their own |
fires and blacked their own boots. end
Drew water for themselves. Blu. there was
q family OF negroes. named Lewis. who
performed those services for such boys as
desired. at compensation Of s. or IS
term. The patriarch of this race was a
very interesting old character. He was
said to be one hundred years old. He must
have been that or very near it. One morn
ing. shortly after 6 o'clock. just as We
we're coming from prayers. old Mr.. Lewis
irove by with horse, which he was said
10 have bought for s.. and a wagon of
about the same value. He had Load
IF ali sorts Of vegetables which he had
'aised in his little garden up near the
lrsenal. and was carrying into Boston to
market. One of his old wheels broke and
he wagon came down. splitting the old
elbow himself and his load of vegetables.
lie lay there fiat on his back, unable to
Jet up, surrounded by turnips. and
quashes. and onions. and potatoes. etc.
Is he lay with his black face and his
White. grizzIed poll. he was a most ludi-
rous spectacle. One OF US asked him.
Why, Mr.. Lewis. what is the matter?"
Wall" he said, with mournful tone,
I laid cant TO go into Boston,"