"Dear Mom" (Letters from College)

[JonoBN41]

Gordon A. M.
Lambda Chi Alpha
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

February 11, 1940

Dear Mother,

Guess what! We had our Hell “Week” last week.
That’s all over and it wasn’t so bad. I’m enclosing a list
of rules which we had to abide by and my battlefield
trip. We had some serenading to do, trips for brothers to
make, and make some speeches at the Delecto. Some
fun!
Last night I went down to Hood. F&M were there for a
concert and Lou had a blind date with one of those
fellows. They signed up for dates according to heighth.
They had an informal dance which cost a dollar. I got a
date with Lou’s roommate Ann Compton from
Annapolis and we and another couple went to the
“Hour Glass” for a while. We then made a tour of the
town on feet!
About 11:00 we got back to College and danced free of
charge till 12:00.
I met Annabel Lutz there. She wanted me to meet her
boy friend from Dickenson Law School but she
couldn’t find him. Tch tch.
It was rather nice having girls cutting in for a change
while I was dancing. I had my green bow tie on and did
that slay them? Wow!
I saw Lou there and talked to her a while. I’ll send you
her picture.as soon as I get it. By the way, I sent you a
picture of the fraternity in my laundry case. The names
of the fellows are on the back.
We have a bible test Tuesday
I’m still having trouble with Math. I must have passed
my math though because I’m still in the class and my
name is not on the probation list. No, I’m not being
tutored any more.

Love,
Gordon

PS. I met several girls at Hood who knew people I do.



PLEDGE DUTIES AND CUSTOMS
1. Ride broomstick
Ride broomstick backwards on Broadway
2. Carry books in suitcase
3. Get signature of Erhart or many at Delecto
4. Carry pack of lifesavers all the time
5. Wear loud clothes
6. Enter class last. Leave last.
7. Wear black cap at all times
HOUSE RULES
1. Learn poem. Say at dining door
“Allah Allah who art most high
Behold this neophyte on bended thigh
Prince Charming intones, not meek, yet bold
The deep seated secret I now unfold
Oh brothers I am indeed of less consequence than thy noble posteriors”
2. Enter back door
3. At dining room door do following:
a. give full name
b. give age
c. give course
d. give home town
e. give one minute talk on string beans
f. say poem on knees
4. Pledges sit at different tables
5. At silence at all times in house except when given special permission
6. Can’t sit in front room
7. No smoking in house
8. No pledge may enter a brother’s room without permission
9. Pledges lose all identity, known by letters
10. Sing at 6:45 AM outside house for 5 minutes
11. Sing from 5:45 to 6:00
12. Obey reasonable requests
13. Wear tie and coats
14. Must be neatly shaved
15. Address brothers as sir
16. Ask no favors, expect no favors
17. Wear hat at all times
18. Go up and down stairs backwards
19. Wear robes in house

Do these in order
1. Go to the Pennsylvania Memorial and find the rank and co. of Hugh McGonigille 3rd, also copy off the full names of all the Stroehmanns
2. Go to Barlow’s Knoll and get all the information on Maj. Gen. Barlow you can.
3. Now go to the statue of Brig. Gen. Wadsworth on Reynolds Ave. and bring back all the information about him that you can.
4. Now report back to the house for final instructions.