Page:The Fun of It.pdf/33

Rh everyone had to walk downtown, and did so I think. Private cars ran the risk of being stalled in the littered streets and the traction company just gave up and let its trolleys stand. Young men ran around with huge dusters of flour and blew it on young women.

“Hey, girlie, the war’s over!” Plop! And the victim looked like a snow man. Supposedly dig­nified citizens snake-danced and knocked each other’s hats off. I didn’t hear a serious word of thanksgiving in all the hullaballoo!

At the end of my brief hospital career, I became a patient myself. It was probably the case of trying to carry on all day as usual and work all night. Anyway, I collected a bug which took up residence in the inaccessible little hole behind one’s cheek called the antrum. The result was several minor op­erations and a rather long period of convalescence. Some of this was spent at Northampton where my sister was at Smith and the rest at Lake George. While in “Hamp”, I took a course in automobile engine repair, which laid the foundation of any practical knowledge of motors I have gained since.

But I had acquired a yen for medicine, and I planned to fit myself for such a career. Conse­quently I went to New York and entered Columbia University, There I took what I could of all the “ologies” which should help toward that calling, mixed with a luxury course in French literature. As usual I had a good tune, though I studied hard and didn’t have any too much money. But stu-