EARLY MANHOOD IN THE MIDDLE WEST 167 



and I were invited to go home with a farmer who 

 lived five miles distant. About midnight we re- 

 tired to a room on the walls of which you might 

 have written your name in the glittering frost. I 

 slept with the President and when we touched the 

 icy sheets, he remarked: "Roberts, I guess we 

 will have to spoon " and we spooned. 



I have often wondered since then why this large 

 family of faculty and students, housed mostly in 

 one building, got on so well together. Was it 

 because the nearest town was small and had no 

 saloons? Or because the boys had not yet con- 

 ceived the idea that colleges are chiefly to promote 

 athletics and nocturnal episodes? Or because the 

 system was exceptionally good; or because of the 

 exceptional ability of its chief executive officers * 

 or perhaps because of all these combined? One 

 thing is certain : the President did not go fishing in 

 term-time nor up and down the country hunting 

 honors and notoriety. With few exceptions the 

 faculty was composed of young, able, progressive, 

 industrious teachers; and with a president at the 

 head who always knew what was going on, and 

 who not only had the courage to point out defects 

 but the wisdom to see and appreciate good work 

 and the sense to praise it; the instruction was of a 



