Page:The Fraternity and the Undergraduate (1923).pdf/198

 pense of living in a fraternity is greater than is required for one to live outside, and many of the best men in college who have plenty of opportunity to join stay out because they feel that they must live as economically as possible. These men often miss the close friendship and comradeship which they would find in the fraternity; often, however, they gather around themselves outside groups of friends who are bound as closely together as are the members of any fraternity organized. I have often heard it deplored that the fraternity is so organized as to shut out any worthy man, but as society is now organized similar instances may be found in any community to illustrate the fact that many of the good things which we would enjoy we are deprived of because we cannot afford to pay for them. The man who is forced to work his way through college, as many of us know from experience, cannot always ride in the Pullman or attend the formal party. He may gain something in independence and self-reliance, but he will of necessity have to sacrifice many much desired pleasures.

Not a few fellows who would like very much to be fraternity men never have an opportunity. It is against fraternity conventionalities for anyone to express interest in joining or desire to join. It would be considered quite as unpardonable a breach of etiquette for a freshman unasked to