190
Kansas University Weekly.
give their students wholesome, well prepared food, and at the same time make the expense of boarding so small that no one should be barred out for pecuniary reasons. They called to their aid Mrs. Ellen A. Richards of the Mass. Institute of Technology, a woman who has probably done more practical work in the investigation of the values of foods than any one in this country, men not excepted. She spent several weeks superintending the furnishing of the kitchens and the training of help. I had the pleasure of examining these arrangements just before Mrs. Richards departure. I recall especially the cleanliness, the absence of odors, and the prevalence of Aladdin ovens over the old fashioned range, and of steam cookers over pots and skillets and drippingpans. One cuisine serves the three halls, although each of these has its own dining-room, a pleasant, light apartment on the first floor.
These "homes" (as Mrs. Palmer was fond of calling them) are presided over by women instructors, who look out for the welfare of the girls physically and morally. The presence of these gracious, noble-minded women as heads of the women's halls is a sufficient guarantee of dignified conduct on the part of the inmates. The espionage, if any exists, is so inoffensive that I doubt if there is any disposition to cheap under it. Personal liberty is recognized as essential to happy, profitable student life. But a young lady cannot be imprudent in behavior or neglect the laws of health withoutbeing delicately reminded and intelligently advised.
The beautiful, well-ordered life here is appreciated more and more every year. One young lady who entered last season planning to live on a certain sum, entirely too small for wholesome, not to say comfortable living, took a little room outside the campus, did her own cooking (if any) and managed to keep her expenses below that of the dormitories. In a short time she came to Mrs. Palmer, then dean of the women, and asked for a sum of money from the Students' Loan Fund. Upon inquiry she confided to Mrs. Palmer that she could not afford to live outside the halls. Her aesthetic nature was starving. She was becoming a mere book-worm and was not acquiring any of the graces of manner which do belong to evenly developed woman-hood. She received the loan and at once established herself in one of the halls.
It is a significant fact that Dr. Harper refused to accept the presidency of this university unless the dormitory system, both for men and women, should be adopted. It is not fair to ask an institution to assume the guardianship of a large number of young people without some chance of watching over them. The best educational thought is turning toward the up-building of character as an essential part of the teacher's work. To accomplish this the closest relationship should exist between instructors and pupils. The college campus is the natural centre for all college life, social as well as intellectual.
GERTRUDE BOUGHTON BLACKWELDER. Morgan Park, 11l.
Try the Peerless Laundry. Alva Souder, Agt.
The Bullene Shoe Co.
Has a new line of Tan and Black Scotch Welts. Get a pair for the great THANKSGIVING GAME.
CLASS Pins and Badges.
100 VISITING
Cards and Plate, only . $1.50.
NOVELTIES OF ALL KINDS
Silver Link Buttons, . . 50c.
Silver Studs, . . . 30c.
1034 MAIN STREET.