THE STRENUOUS LIFE.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXXVII, Issue 179, 31 July 1903, Page 4

THE STRENUOUS LIFE.

POOR AMERICAN STUDENTS.

WORKING AS STOKERS, WAITERS

AND CABMEN.

It was reported in New York one day last month that twelve students of the Department of Engineering, Columbia University, were going to act as oilers, stokers and cleaners on Transatlantic liners, daring the summer vacation. The University authorities confirmed the report.

From what could be gathered it ap pears that students are desirous of earning money to assist them in defraying their college courses, and also of obtaining a practical opportunity of studying marine engineering problems This is merely one of many odd ways adopted by young Amei icans" who, by their own energy and resources, obtain a University education. In New York and other cities there are scores of students of good families, but limited means, acting during the summer months as waiters in restaurants, cabmen, tramway drivers, and conductors Many find employment as ushers or even supers in theatres, and others act as book canvassers'.

Hundreds of young men and young women students are employed as waiters and waitresses in the fashion able summer hotels. Many poor students do a large amount of domestic work about the colleges, and numbers during the vacation serve behind counters in the large department stores.

No social ntigma attaches to students engaging in work in these various lines. A remarkable case in Cali fornia recently came to light. The son of a wealthy lawyer worked his way across ■ country to Leland Stanford University. Arriving with only ss, he offered to cat the grass on the college lawns, sweep and scrub the dormitories, and do other work for tuition. His offer was accepted. He also obtained work in a stone quarry during his spa>e time. The young man's vocations were kept a close secret from his family until he gradu ated with honors amid general enthusiasm. He is now his father's partner. Many well-known professional men in this country have worked their way through college in similar fashion.