Page:The plastic age, (IA plasticage00mark).pdf/85

Rh “Closer now the freshmen go, Freshmen go, Freshmen go; Closer now the freshmen go To cheer—

SANFORD! Sanford! Rah, rah! Sanford! Sanford! San—San—San— San—ford, San—ford—San—FORD!”

While the upper-classmen were singing the last stanza the freshmen slowly closed in on the dying fire. At the first word of the cheer, they stopped, turned toward the grand stand, and joined the cheering. That over, they broke and ran for the bleachers, scrambling up the wooden stands, shov¬ ing each other out of the way, laughing and shouting.

The football captain usually made a short and very awkward speech, which was madly applauded; perhaps the coach said a few words; two or three cheers were given; and finally every one rose, took off his hat if he wore one—nearly every one but the freshmen went bareheaded—and sang the col¬ lege hymn, simply and religiously. Then the crowd broke, straggling in groups across the campus, chat¬ ting, singing, shouting to each other. Suddenly lights began to flash in the dormitory windows. In