Lehigh University - Epitome Yearbook (Bethlehem, PA)

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HISTORY OF ' EIGHTY-TWO I HE present year finds the Class of ' 82 diligently plodding I through its college course, having passed from Freshmen — that thing of ridicule — to the dignity and importance of Sophomores. However, as our last year ' s record followed us only to the present date, we shall, as faithful historian, need to condescend and chronicle the events of the latter part of our Freshman year. Our Class, somewhat diminished in number by the Christ- mas examinations, and not reinforced from other sources, as is frequently the case, returned, at the end of the holidays, with quite a respectable number, all invigorated for the hard work then before them. The event of the Spring was the Athletic Sports, held May 3d, at Rittersville Park. The difficulty of reaching the ground called forth a class meeting and much more wrangling than the importance of the subject seemed to necessitate ; but the decision was finally in favor of a brewery wagon as our means of transportation. We judged from the vociferous cheer- ing of the assembled multitude as we started, with Class colors flying and horns blowing, that the effect was very fine. The sports were all that could be desired in attendance and ex- citement, and the customary Hop proved quite a success. The usual monotonous college existence followed this event, enlivened, now and then, by an examination and the boning which precedes it. On the 17th of June we held our Class Supper at the Sun Hotel. Much might be said in praise of the Supper and its enjoyments. Of the claret punch, the less said the better, as its 24

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JOHN D. RUFF, E.M., Philadelphia, - Brodhead Av. SAMUEL B. SICKLER, C.E., Tunkhannock, Moravia Av. GEORGE C. STOUT, Bethlehem, CALVIN A. SWEITZER, C.E., Bethlehem, - Broad st. JOSE A. YZNAGA, C.E., Santo Espiritus, Cuba, Christmas H.

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strength, (about one pint to the gal.) would hardly stand it. Some of our number, ambitious of being a little jolly, had to give up on the twelfth glass — capacity being limited. On the 3d of September we returned to the Halls of Lehigh, whem, to oui surprise, we found a large number of verdant Freshmen in possession. They bade fair to keep us busy in their suppression; nevertheless, a few weeks ' acquaintance proved them to be quite lamb-like, and no hazing seemed necessary. In the course of the month hostilities broke out between the two classes, which showed themselves in a cane rush; when, as has been often repeated in history, valor was overcome by numbers. The half-hour tussel which ensued, severe upon both forces, won for the Freshmen permission to sport the stick, and, judging from the number that f lourished in the hands of the Class of ' 83 on the following Sunday morning in chapel, there must undoubtedly have been a corner in the cane market. Our annual bonfire, although not accompanied with the excitement attendant upon last year ' s, would hold its own among many. To this fact the South Bethlehem merchants can perhaps testify. The much-deplored absence of that nerve- soothing instrument, a tin horn, diminished considerably the noise, if not the excitement ; the Freshmen having neglected to provide themselves, and so quietly and respectably did the affair pass off, that not one member of the Police Corps or Fire Department appeared upon the scene. Thanks to the beneficence of college patrons, the liberality of the students, and the exertions of Prof. Chandler, Lehigh can now boast of its own grounds for athletic sports. The grounds were formally opened on Founder ' s Day, Oct. 9th, 1879, at which date the Fall Sports took place. The weather was un- usually propitious, and the sports most successful. ' 82 came out with a fair share of prizes ; and some of the recipients wear their medals as though they were the Cross of the Legion of Honor. In closing our history let us hope that the good feeling which has so far prevailed in our class may continue ; and that 25