The San Francisco call., 1908-11-29

where you are tnl the word Of
command"
These were the phrases that sounded
over the Berkeley campus on ono Of the
most beautiful Of fall days. a group
Of sophs were gathered on North hall
Steps and before them stood two unfor-
iunate freshmen going methodically
end carefully through a manual Of drill
with a dirty mop. and the janitor's old
broom for arms. The expression on the
freshmen's faces can not be painted in
words. That on the features Of the
sophs was one Of joyous glee.
Right about face. now That's it.
shoulder arms. Present. one. two
The miserable freshmen members Of
the largest freshman class ever en-
rolled in the University of California
SOW matriculating marched savagely
down the path as bidden by the unre-
Ienting sophs um cut Of sight Mop
and broom were pitched vindictively
into the concealing shrubbery. and the
freshies. sore ana furious. ran in the
opposite direction like deer.
This is a fair sample Of the treatment
that a freshman must expect TO receive
from the upper cIassmen of his college
upon his entrance. He is legitimate
game Till he becomes soph himself
and learns the rules he must suffer all
sorts of indignities and absurd treat
ment. These first months at college are
rot without their pathos, though the
larger part OF the tricks played by the
sophs are excruciatingIy fnuny and
evoke unwilling smiles even from staid
professors who are not supposed to see
anything that goes on.
Fancy the feelings Of the freshman
who wakes from his happy dreams OF
college glories to hnd himself sitting on
the banister Of North hall steps-the
mecca Of the upper classmen. which
no freshman would dare dehle with his
presence unless so commanded-and
calmly sucking at nursing bottle,
only opening his lips at intervals to
bleai like lamb or emit plaintive
moan Of Mama" Imagine his emo
lions as some Of his classmates of his
glorious high school days. where he
vas hero and victor in one, stroll by in
~onvulsions Of laughter at his plight.
-Why doesn't he stop it?" YOU say.
That's just H. He doesn't dare stop.
The soph the malignant unrelenting,
superior. mighty soph. has him meta
phoricany by the scruff Of the neck. and
his word is law-at least on the col
lege campus. and to a freshie.
Innumerable are the tortures inflicted
on the surprised and unwilling fresh
man. 1t is the unwritten law of the
college. Later on the long suffering
newcomer is transformed into an upper
classman himself. and 10. behold him.
with every appearance Of JOY helping
TO torment the last batch of freshies.
and even suggesting some OF the tor
lures practiced on him as a quickener
10 the fun OF the moment
Marvellous are thy ways. 0 collegians.
and as the laws of the Medes and Per-
SLAMS are thy laws. If the freshman
Is game he is marked as a future man.
and doors fly open for him. If he
proves a quitter. woe unto him. for
not easy are the paths OF college life to
one who makes not good therein.
The assistant professor Of social sci
snce at Berkeley. G. II. Roberts, voiced
st all in a few succinct words spoken
on the occasion of the freshmen rally
IN the Greek theater a few weeks ago
Remember that if. at your prep
school, he said, you were a large frog
in a small puddle. you are now at the
University Of California, and a mere
tadpole in big pond. And don't try
to swell into a large frog at the start
You are likely to burst"
This Is Sound Advice
This is glorious advice. and has
smoothed the way for many a freshie
suffering all sorts of miseries and
blighted hopes on account of trying to
swell too soon. The amount Of diff
Guilty encountered by the new entrant
is in exact proportion to the distance
Of his prep" school from the campus
This is probably because OF different
standards, environments and entire un-
familiarity with his new surroundings.
The freshman who enters college from
A school in another state has no oppor-
tunity to learn the traditions of his
college, to ascertain the sacred spots
~ the nnnnr l.lasenaor HAT l,o r,nr-