EARLY MANHOOD IN THE MIDDLE WEST 165 



exacting officer. The success of his administra- 

 tion was due in part to wide experience and in part 

 to its military character, with the uniforms and 

 the red tape left out. 



Professor C. E. Bessey (now of the University 

 of Nebraska) was often "officer of the day," or 

 rather during study hours from 8 to 10 o'clock in 

 the evening, and made the night and morning in- 

 spections. The rising bell rang at 5.30 a. m. ; 

 breakfast was at 6 and inspection at 6.45 when 

 students' rooms had to be in order or there was 

 prompt reckoning. All unexcused students re- 

 ported for work at 7 a. m. The officers of the 

 day as well as others were obliged to make a daily 

 written report to the President. The students were 

 required and the faculty requested to meet at 4.30 

 p. m. in the Chapel where a short reading from 

 the scriptures and prayer was followed by direc- 

 tions for the next day's work and by various no- 

 tices. From 5 to 8 o'clock was given to supper and 

 recreation. On Saturdays no duties except special 

 details were required; on Sunday attendance at the 

 morning service was treated the same as a class 

 exercise. Strange as it may now seem, all of these 

 religious exercises were attended with apparent 

 pleasure, perhaps because the students were al- 

 lowed to remain afterward for a quiet social hour. 



