Alumnus, 1923

The Glory of Notre Dame...

A Free Translation From Life

-Notre Dame University. Office of the Dean. Time: Before the Great War. Enter a youth who appears by his dress to be a tramp.  The Dean: "What can I do for you?" The Kid: "I want to enter." "Enter? Enter what?" "The University." "As a laborer doubtless. See the superintendent."  "As a student." "As a student! Surely you do not understand. This is a school. Besides— Have you any —er— What are your resources?" Kid turns his empty ragged trouser pockets inside out. "Then how do you expect. . . ? Where are you from? How did you get here?" "I expect to go through the University. I am from Connecticut. I worked my way here on a freight." The Dean grasps the kid's hand: "I'm beginning to like you, boy."

-Field Hospital in France. Battle in Progress. The kid dangerously wounded with the bayonet. Delirious. Kid: "Is there a Notre Dame man here? Is there a Notre Dame man here?  Is there a Notre Dame man here? Is there a Not . . . " Surgeon arriving: "Go easy, buddy. I'm a Notre Dame man. You're at home." The Kid: "A-ah. At home. There's a Notre Dame man. . ."  Falls to sleep.

-Notre Dame University. Office of the president. Time: Evening of Commencement Day. Kid enters, diploma in one hand, envelope in the other.  President: "What is it, David?" David: "My bit for the endowment fund." President: "Two hun—. This is too much. Two hundred dollars. You shouldn't do it. Wherever did you get it, David?" David: "Saved her up. S'all right." President: "But — ah — have you other — funds?" Kid turns his pockets inside out.  "But how will you get home?" "Same way I got here. Work my way on a freight." President seizes the boy's hand in both of his and says never a  word.  When the boy is gone the president says to himself,— "The Riches and Power and Glory of Notre Dame."