Group photograph of the third form
Top Row—Elizabeth Lucker,Sally Ross Dinsmore,Joan Parker
Middle Row—Rhoda Belcher,Penelope Paulson,Harriet Helm,Ottilie Tusler
Front Row—Elizabeth Williams,Susan Snyder,Mary Lou Pickett,Anne PerLee
Charlotte Buckley
Group photograph of the second form
Top Row—Mary Anna Nash,Nancy Rogers,Katherine Dain,Blanche Rough,Betty Tuttle
Middle Row—Betty Lee,Elizabeth Hedback,Elizabeth Ann Eggleston,Ruth Rizer,Jane Loughland,Katharine Rand
Front Row—Janey Lou Harvey,Katherine Warner,Donna Jane Weinrebe,Elizabeth Booraem,Margie Ireys
Barbara Brooks,Helen Jane Eggan
Group photograph of first form
Top Row—Melissa Lindsey,Dorothea Lindsey
Middle Row—Mary Ann Fulton,Laura Booraem,Carolyn Cogdell,Peggy Carpenter
Front Row—Bobby Thompson,Martha Pattridge,Betty King,Jane Pillsbury,Calder Bressler
Whitney Burton,Betty June Tupper,Jean Bell
Group photograph of kindergarten and junior primary
Top Row—Jean Clifford,Archie Walker,Jimmie Wyman,Mary Jane Van Campen,Sally Jones,Vincent Carpenter
Middle Row—Morris Hallowell,Janet Sandy,Ogden Confer,Beatrice Devaney,Ann Carpenter,Frederick Jahn,Barbara Taylor
Front Row—Phyllis Beckwith,Yale Sumley,David Warner,Jamie Doerr,Elizabeth Hobbs,Gloria Hays,Lindley Burton,Frances Mapes,Henry Doerr
Sheldon Brooks,Billy Johns,Betty Webster,Barbara Hill,Patty Rogers,Emmy Lou Lucker,George Pillsbury,Jane Pillsbury
Smith College,Northampton,Massachusetts,February 23, 1926.
Dear Janet:
When I received your letter asking me to tell Northrop what her alumnae at Smith have been doing this year, I had a sudden sinking sensation, since I felt that the achievements accomplished by some of us have not been startling. However, upon digging for evidence, I have discovered that Northrop need not feel ashamed of us after all.
Dorothy Wilson sings in the Junior choir, is a member of the Smith College glee club, and of the Oriental club—one which is connected with the Bible department—and has been chosen business manager of the Smith College Handbook—“Freshman Bible”—for the class of 1930.
“Pete” McCarthy, also a Junior, who vehemently claimed that she had nothing to tell me about herself, I discover is fire captain of her house, a member of the French club, and chairman of the spring dance committee.
On Washington’s Birthday, at the annual rally day performance, Mary Truesdell and Lorraine Long, dressed as sailors, with the accompaniment of the Mandolin Club, clogged for us in multifarious rhythms, ways, and manners—or however one does clog—to the astonishment of all of us, who never before dreamed that professional talent actually existed in Northampton.
Elizabeth Carpenter is president of her house. As for the rest of us, Lucy Winton, Eleanor Cook, and me, all I can venture to say—and they agree with me—is that, like the proverbial green freshman, we have been plodding along at studies occasionally, and at all other times we have been eating, sleeping, or amusing ourselves to the nth degree.
I can’t wait to see the newTatlerto find out what you have been doing this year.
Please give my love to everyone.
Very sincerely,Peg Williams
South Hadley,Massachusetts,February 18, 1926.
Dear Margaret Louise:
If I should attempt to tell you everything we are doing here now, I’m afraid that I should go far past the limits of my little column, for our occupations are so multitudinous and varied that there is hardly an end to them.
Right now, notwithstanding the ever present pursuit of the academic, the whole college is having the most glorious time hiking over the countryside on snowshoes, risking its dignity and perhaps its neck in attempting the ski jump on Pageant Field, and “hooking” rides with the small village boys on their bob sleds down the long hill on College Street. South Hadley is such a tiny town, anyway, that it is just like living in the country with lovely mountains all around.
By now Mount Tom and Mount Holyoke are quite like old friends, for most of us had a personal interview with one or the other of them when we hiked one of the ranges last fall on Mountain Day. Mountain Day, by the way, was a red letter day, for the Freshmen particularly.It was one of those gorgeous blue October days when we could hardly stand the thought of having to be inside, and, almost like a gift from Heaven, Miss Woolley unexpectedly announced in morning chapel that she would leave it to the students to vote whether they would have their holiday then, with its incomplete arrangements, or two days later when it was scheduled, with beautifully laid plans but with possible showers. The girls were simply bursting with excitement by that time, and the vote was carried unanimously. Not one class in prospect for that day, but just a chance to start out with a lunch on your back to “parts unknown”—oh, it was wonderful!
Another big part of our college social life here in the fall and spring is college songs and class serenades. During September and October we had one out by the “College Steps” once a week. I shall never forget the first time we gathered under a full moon, about nine o’clock, and our senior song leader started us off by having us sing all the songs we knew about the moon, with the singing of parts much encouraged! Even if the harmony was a little doubtful in spots, taken as a whole the result was “perfectly heavenly”—to one enthusiastic Freshman. Then a few weeks later the Freshmen were called to their windows one evening to hear “Sisters, sisters, we sing to you,” and looking down, we saw the whole Junior class assembled underneath the dormitory windows. Then in due time our turn came to “surprise them,” but it wasn’t, evidently, kept a “deep and dark” secret as we had hoped, for at the end of the first song we were literally showered with candy kisses hurled down from above.
These are just a few of the kinds of things we do outside our academic work; not to mention the picnic breakfasts at “Paradise” in the warm weather, sleigh rides or hikes to Old Hadley, a quaint old town near here, Winter Carnival, or all the excitement that comes with Junior Prom time. Then, you may be sure, the “little sisters” are pressed into service!
What I think, however, makes Mount Holyoke mean what it does to us is something that is almost impossible to describe, but something that is just as real as any phase of our life here—and that is the college atmosphere. It is created, in part, by Miss Woolley’s wonderful chapel services, in part by the sheer beauty of the country in which we live, and, lastly, by the fine spirit of the girls themselves, the college community.
Very sincerely,Doris Douglas, ’25.
To the Editor of the 1926 Tatler:
We who once formed a goodly part of Northrop’s illustrious student body, but who now attend Vassar College, send our heartiest and most affectionate greetings, to the pupils, the faculty, the trustees, and Miss Carse!
In the first part of the year, when those of us who are Freshmen were busying ourselves with getting adjusted to our new environment, new studies, and new acquaintances, we had no time to reflect on our past activities. But now that we have become acclimated, we take great joy in remembering our years spent at Northrop, and realize, more and more, all that she did for us. We owe our present life and opportunities to Northrop’s splendid teaching and background. The Northrop League gave us a moral background which we shall never lose. Our companionship with each other gave us friendships which can never be lost, even though we may be separated.
Northrop Alumnae who are Sophomores and the five who are holding up the honor of Vassar’s class of ’26, still feel Northrop’s influence very strongly, and are forever singing her praises. They feel that the training in concentration and in well-divided time received at Northrop has proved invaluable throughout their college course.
The large number of us here at Vassar, set aside as “Northrop girls” feel that we have a great responsibility resting on us. We have a standard to live up to, a standard caused by the good name sent out into the world by Northrop. May we live up to that name, may we carry on the standard of Northrop School.
Josephine Clifford,Betty Goodell.
It hardly seems necessary in this, the sixth year of the League’s existence, to explain its purpose. I think it is sufficient to say that the League is an organization which, under Miss Carse’s sympathetic guidance, has come to control the student activities of the high school and the seventh and the eighth grades. It is true, of course, that the League is governed by its officers, but the League itself is what the large body of the girls make it. The pledge, an expression of its standards, seeks to hold each girl to a high sense of honor, loyalty, and self-improvement. This, briefly, is the purpose. As nearer perfection is reached, in the struggle for this goal, the League gains in power. Thus it is that the League is the result of the effort of every member.
Mary Eaton.
SHOULD any girl of Northrop wish to prepare herself for a position that has to do with the handling of money, I should advise her to begin campaigning by lobbying for the office of Treasurer of the Northrop League. However, the reputation of the detailed work of this office is such that there are few who are ever over-anxious to receive it. This was my feeling at first, but now when I realize how much I already know about making out checks, keeping accounts, and the intricacies of banking, I feel it is all worth while. By Commencement I shouldn’t be surprised if I could fill the important position of messenger in a bank.
The first thing that comes up at the beginning of each year is the collection of the annual League dues, which are two dollars and fifty cents. A total amount of about three hundred dollars was handed in this year. This is put under the “operating fund,” and takes care of all the League expenditures, except those of the Welfare Committee.
There are four departments of student activities drawing from these League dues, athletic, entertainment, and printing and stationery. Also, this year the League voted to back the Tatler board up with one hundred dollars. At the first council meeting of the year a budget is made out for the different committees of the League. This budget is based on the expenditures of that committee for the preceding year. Until nineteen twenty-five, the Welfare work was taken care of by collections running through the year as the various needs arose. This year a new system was adopted, which took care of everything at one time. We foresaw a need of money for the Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Community Funds, for the Near East Relief, and the French Orphans; therefore slips were given to each girl with these different needs listed. She was expected to put an amount after each, which amount she pledged to pay in cash or in deferred payments. So far eight hundred and twelve dollars of the nine hundred and two dollars and thirteen cents pledged has been handed in. This plan is much more systematic, and saves the trouble of conducting so many drives.
All money transactions of classes and committees whether receipts or expenditures go through the hands of the League treasurer. A system of books is maintained. Each class and committee keeps its own accounts. Then the League treasurer has a large cash book in which she also keeps all the receipts and disbursements of the classes and committees. At the end of each month the balances are put in a simplified ledger. It is from this that the monthly and annual reports are made. When a bill is received, it is paid only by the League treasurer after it has beenOK’d by the chairman of the committee responsible for it. When money is handed in, a receipt is given to the bearer. At the end of each month the books are balanced and checked with the bank statement. Also the check book is verified with the bank balance.
Although the League treasurer is custodian of the class funds, each class has a treasurer who keeps her own accounts. The classes have their own dues to pay for all their expenditures. At the end of each month, after the class treasurer has balanced her book, it is checked over with the accounts of the League treasurer for that class to see if they agree.
A checking account is kept at the Northwestern National Bank and the savings’ account at the Farmers and Mechanics Bank. We have had almost three hundred dollars in the savings account, but two hundred dollars, which is last year’s League gift to the school, has just been withdrawn and added to the Chapel Fund.
The duties of a treasurer are not over until she has passed to her successor what she has learned during her treasurership and has changed the accounts to the new girl’s name. After this has been done, the retiring treasurer is released and must seek new fields in which to carry on. In case a former Northrop League treasurer ever applies to any of you for a position, just remember the “big” business in which she began her training.
Barbara Bailey.
Northrop League Welfare Budget
NEAR EAST RELIEF1926 FRENCH ORPHANCOMMUNITY FUNDTHANKSGIVING FUNDCHRISTMAS FUNDEMERGENCY FUND
THIS year, when Community Fund interests brought to our attention the need of school collections, of which the Community Fund is but one, we thought to have a single large drive instead of several small drives.
We called in the expert opinion of one who had long worked in social agencies, and worked out a scheme and a budget for one drive covering all our needs. This plan was presented to the League Council and met with approval.
Sheets containing lists of the various funds for which money was to be collected, were given to the pupils to take home for conference with their parents. If a girl wished to give to any one of the various funds, she was to mark down that amount, also putting down the date of payment (any time until February 1); or else the money might be sent right back with the pledges. In this way we tried to make the idea of voluntary subscription the whole basis of our plan.
The total amount of the entire drive, both pledged and paid, is $902.13, out of which $359.58 was paid in full to the Community Fund. The total of the Thanksgiving Fund was $166.10, out of which $106.23 was paid for Thanksgiving baskets which were filled with good, substantial food, and were delivered by a number of the girls, each group accompanied by an older person, to eighteen needy families. The Christmas fund total reached the sum of $180.70. From this, we gave $75.00 as gifts to the house-staff. The Emergency Fund amounted to $151.25. From this, we gave $36.00 to help support a French orphan for whose care we are responsible.
There is also an unapportioned fund. A number of pledges were returned with only the total amount marked down, none of which was divided among the funds. These amounts were put down under the unapportioned fund. From this sum, we drew $30.00 for the Near East Relief. In addition to all this, we are having a continuous drive for old clothes which we place where most needed.
After the various distributions were made, we found that our book balanced with that of the League treasurer.
Handling a situation of this sort has been an interesting task, and I think that we all have greatly profited by the experience, and believe that it has been a preparation for future service to the Community.
Virginia Leffingwell,Chairman.
A group of students in costume as shepherds
A student wearing a costume of robes
OCTOBER
2—Old Girls’ Party for the New.16—Riding Contest.
NOVEMBER
10—Book Exhibit.13—Junior Carnival.
DECEMBER
18—Christmas Luncheon.19—Christmas Play.
FEBRUARY
5—Parents’ and Teachers’ Dinner.12—Valentine Party for Grades VII and VIII. Reading by the Princess Rahme Haider.
MARCH
8—Lecture by the Duc de Trevise.19—Northrop Entertains Summit.25—Athletic Banquet.26—Lecture by Dr. Cora Best.
MAY
20 and 21—Junior Field Day.27 and 28—Senior Field Day.
JUNE
4—The Junior-Senior Dance.7—Senior Chapel. Alumnae Luncheon. Class Day.8—Commencement.
Seven photographs of students in 19th century costume
ON Friday morning, May 29, 1925, each Junior awoke with the entire responsibility of the Junior-Senior dance on her shoulders. Ten o’clock found some of the class in an effort to carry out the green and white color scheme, robbing the neighbors’ bridal wreath hedges of all their glory. Returning to school they wound the blossoming sprays in and out of a white lattice work, which a few of their industrious class mates had made to cover the radiators in the dining room. They then hung green and white balloons in clusters from the side lights. While this was being done, others were converting nice-looking automobiles into furniture vans. The furniture was arranged on the roof garden, over which Japanese lanterns were hung.
Having finished these tasks, we had by no means completed our work. The supper tables next occupied our attention. These we arranged in the side hall. Centering each was a miniature white May pole wound with green and white streamers. The appearance was festive indeed.
After the lapse of a few hours the weary Juniors returned to welcome their guests, the Seniors.... As the clock struck twelve, the music ceased, the building resumed its former tranquility, and the happy guests filed home.
Evelyn Baker and Polly Daunt.
EVERY year Northrop and Summit schools come together at one place or the other for an informal party. This year, it being our pleasure to entertain the Summit girls, we looked forward to the occasion as one of our most enjoyable events.
We departed from the usual form of entertainment in presenting the French play “Le Voyage de Monsieur Perrichon.” Although probably not every one in the audience understood all the speeches, the play went off well, for the plot is such that it is easily comprehended through the acting; also to aid the audience a short synopsis was read in English before the curtain rose, by Shirley Woodward, who looked the part of a dashing French soldier.
The roles of that amusing pair, Monsieur and Madam Perrichon, were taken by Betty Long and Barbara Bailey. Henriette, their daughter, was portrayed by Anne Healy, and the two charming lovers, Daniel and Armand, by Dorothy Sweet and Janet Morrison.
An additional feature of the program was provided by the faculty sextet, in the form of several pleasing songs. After the play, the faculties of both schools had refreshments upstairs, and dancing followed in the gymnasium.
A large group of students outdoors with the visitor
LE huit mars nous fûmes très heureuses d’avoir avec nous le Duc de Trévise. Comme Mlle. Carse était dans l’est, Mlle. Bagier le présenta. Il fit une conférence des plus intéressantes sur la reconstruction de l’ancienne architecture de la France, accompagnée de projections charmantes de son sujet. Il expliqua de son ravissant accent français, les dégâts qu’on fait aux beaux édifices du moyen âge. Il nous soumit le projet de son organisation pour conserver divers anciens châteaux, aux villages différents de la France pour chaque ville américaine qui aura approprié de l’argent pour cette cause, donnant ainsi le moyen aux citoyens de chaque ville d’avoir un logis quand ils visiteront le village ou la ville dans lesquels leur château particulier se trouve. L’argent qu’on a déjà donné a fait beaucoup pour avancer le travail de la reconstruction. Nous fûmes charmées de découvrir que, quand il retombait dans sa langue natale, nous pûmes avec peu de difficulté le comprendre. Après que la dernière projection eut été montrée, le Duc voulut beaucoup une photographie des élèves de Northrop School. En conséquence nous nous assemblâmes au côté sud de l’école où Mlle. Bagier fit deux photographies des jeunes filles avec leur ami nouveau-trouvé. Comme cela fut une grande occasion pour les plus jeunes filles, elles démandèrent à grands cris des autographes que le Duc leur donna avec bonté. Ensuite on nous rappela à nos leçons qui nous semblèrent plus tristes que d’ordinaire par contraste avec l’heure très interessante que nous venions de passer avec le Duc.
IT would seem that the good angels were plotting in favor of Northrop School, for this year we have had one delightful entertainment after another. Foremost among these events was a visit from the Syrian princess Rahme Haider and her charming companion Miss Burgess, who gave us a fascinating dramatic reading from the Bible. The entire school was held spellbound by the art of the princess, who made a very artistic appearance in her Oriental garb and had a charming personality. Princess Rahme Haider most assuredly gave us one of the most interesting and profitable programs of the year.
GRACE HELEN STUART.
Sincerely, Princess Rahme, Damascus, Syria
A group of students in peasant costume
October 2—The Riding Contest.
BASEBALL
November 2—VII, 2; VIII, 22.November 19—VII, 3; VIII, 25.November 24—VII, 5; VIII, 26.
HOCKEY
November 9—Senior, 1; Sophomore, 1.November 10—Junior, 5; Freshman, 0.November 12—Senior, 0; Freshman, 0.November 16—Senior, 0; Junior, 6.November 18—Sophomore, 8; Freshman, 0.November 19—Sophomore, 3; Junior, 0.
CAPTAIN BALL
March 3—VII, 2; VIII, 10.March 9—VII, 2; VIII, 3.March 11—Gold, 3; White, 10.March 16—Gold, 7; White, 8.
BASKETBALL—INTERCLASS
February 23—Junior, 13; Sophomore, 6.February 25—Freshman, 9; Sophomore, 20.March 1—Senior, 8; Sophomore, 10.March 2—Junior, 24; Freshman, 11.March 4—Freshman 5; Senior 5.March 8—Junior, 12; Senior, 19.March 11—Tournament—Junior, 11; Sophomore, 8.
BASKETBALL—GOLD AND WHITE
March 10—Gold I, 7; White I, 8.March 15—Gold II, 7; White II, 7.March 22—Gold III, 22; White III, 6.March 23—Gold IV, 11; White IV, 7.March 24—Gold A, 12; White A, 7.
FIELD DAY
May 21 and 22—Junior Field Day.May 27 and 28—Senior Field Day.
THIS year a new regulation in regard to hockey practise was introduced. The girls were required to report twice a week instead of once, one of these days being given to stick practise.
The first game of the season was played on November ninth between the Seniors and the Sophomores. It was a very close one resulting in a one to one tie. On the next day, November tenth, the Juniors beat the Freshmen by a score of five to nothing. The game on November second resulted in another tie; this time a scoreless one between the Seniors and the Freshmen, which was most unsatisfactory to both teams. On November sixteenth the Senior-Junior game was played which the Juniors won six to nothing. On the eighteenth the Sophomores won from the Freshmen eight to nothing, and on the next day the game between the Juniors and the Sophomores was played. As no one had crossed the Juniors’ goal since the beginning of the ’24 season there was a great deal of interest in the game. It was an exceedingly hard contest, two girls being more or less knocked out during the game, but the Sophomores won by a score of three to nothing.
We were fortunate this season in having the weather remain so that we were able to play all the games on the schedule.
THE annual riding contest was held on the Parade Grounds, Friday, October 16, Mlle. Bagier and Betty Fowler acting as managers. Although it was a cold and wintry day, a large crowd turned out. Dr. E. W. Berg, Mr. L. McFall, and Mr. William Hindle were the judges, and the Misses Anderson acted as ring mistresses. Everything went off very smoothly, beginning with the Junior Cup Class, followed by the Senior Cup Class, the Pony Class, and ending with Five Gaited Class. After the contest, tea was served in the gymnasium, where the awards were given out. The Junior Cup went to Ruth Clark; the Pony Cup, to Virginia Leffingwell; the Five Gaited Cup to Betty Fowler; and the much desired Senior Cup to Mary Louise Sudduth.
ON the fall the Sevenths and Eighths had several baseball games. They were very exciting in spite of the fact that the Eighths always won by a generous margin. However the Sevenths took the defeats so well that no one could call them “poor losers.” After the snow came, captain ball began. The two match games were very interesting. The score of the first was 10-2 in the Eighths’ favor, and of the second was 8-7, the same side being victorious. Then came the Gold and White games, both of which the Whites won. It was hard, but it was fun, to play against a girl that one had previously played with as a partner. These games brought out such good sportsmanship that we all enjoyed them.
Seven photographs of students participating in sports events
THE basketball season opened with much enthusiasm as soon as school began after the Christmas vacation. The attendance at practices was especially good this year, and the members of every class reported regularly. In order to arouse some spirit, each class distributed its colors among its rooters, and there was much competition between the classes in finding original yells. As a result of these efforts the crowds at the games were exceptionally good, much larger than in previous years. The Sophomore-Junior game, the first of the season, was won by the Juniors after a hard fight. The next two games were the Sophomore-Freshman and the Senior-Sophomore, which were both won by the Sophomores. The Juniors then played the Freshmen and were victorious. The Senior-Freshman game, one of the most exciting of the season, ended in a tie, much to the disappointment of both sides. The Seniors in their last game at Northrop played the Juniors and won. As a result of these games, the Juniors and Sophomores were competitors in the tournament.
The girls worked hard to make the gymnasium look suitable for the occasion and were rewarded for their efforts, for cheering and enthusiastic crowds filled the gym. The best yelling of the evening, however, was done by the Sophomores, who nearly raised the roof with their snappy and well-led cheers. Their serious and well performed stunt of forming and singing, contrasted with the ridiculous showing of the Juniors made on tricycles. After the stunts, the game began and certainly proved to be a close one. Although the Juniors were behind during a good part of the game, they finally won by a score of 11-8. The tournament closed the inter-class games and those of the Gold and White teams began.
In order that more girls might take part in the games, the upper school had been divided into two large teams called the Gold and White. These teams were in turn subdivided into basketball teams, and many games were played between these teams. Although the audiences were not all that might be desired the plan can be called a success since it interested more girls in the game. The White team won the first two games and the Gold the next two; therefore the final game between the two “A” teams would decide whether the Gold or the White team would win the basketball series. The game was won by the Gold team, 11-8. This game ended the basketball season, which has been an unusually good one.
ISTRIVE to wring from my unwilling penA sonnet,—and all ordered thoughts pass by;Light as a swirl of mist, too soon they flyFor my poor wits to capture them again.O sonnet unattained! For other menSo easy to attain, but it is IWho struggle, and for me all goes awry,—My efforts fond go unrequited then.“Why, surely it is but a trifle, this,”They cry amazed, in sweet unknowing bliss.A trifle, yes, for Shelley or for Blake,They had not many extra marks at stake;I toil in vain toward a retarding goal,—I fear the poet’s part is not my role.
I
STRIVE to wring from my unwilling penA sonnet,—and all ordered thoughts pass by;Light as a swirl of mist, too soon they flyFor my poor wits to capture them again.O sonnet unattained! For other menSo easy to attain, but it is IWho struggle, and for me all goes awry,—My efforts fond go unrequited then.“Why, surely it is but a trifle, this,”They cry amazed, in sweet unknowing bliss.A trifle, yes, for Shelley or for Blake,They had not many extra marks at stake;I toil in vain toward a retarding goal,—I fear the poet’s part is not my role.
Shirley Woodward, ’27.
BOOKS are the means by which one may travel without moving. It is through the medium of a book that I was able to visit a garden in Italy. It happened to be a garden that was typically Italian and a very charming one. The entrance was through a vine-covered Tuscan arch at the side of a villa, and down several steps to a wide terrace. The sun was beating down outside, but inside this walled garden all was cool and refreshing. At one’s feet were clumps of darkest green ferns, like miniature forests. At the bottom of the terrace there was a terracotta pool, where water flowers were drifting on their flat green pads. Around the edge of this pool and through an aisle of tiny fragrant pink rose bushes was a space enclosed on three sides by feathery greens. Here a laughing satyr was perched on the top of a fountain, spouting water in a silvery arc. Through a shaded avenue could be seen other secluded spots with marble benches in front of other fountains. In another direction was a grotto where water trickled down gray, moss-covered stones. Far in the distance were cypress trees waving their spear-like tops and standing guard over the coolness and beauty of the garden.
Very different from this is the sunny English garden that next I visited. It, too, was terraced and had fountains, but the water in these fountains sparkled in the sun, and the cool dampness of the Italian garden was lacking. On the terrace were occasional closely-trimmed yew trees, or box trees clipped in odd shapes. A curving walk, edged with laurel, led to the ivy-walled inner garden. Here, in the full sun and warmth, grew, not the delicate rose bush of my Italian garden, but sturdy, bold rose trees, and apple trees, above snowdrops, daffodils, and crocuses in round, oblong, and square beds. These had trimmed herbaceous borders, and gray flag walks lay between them. Beyond towered great elms, but even these did not shut out any of the sun, which reached the foxgloves and violets, transplanted from the moor to the corner of the wall.
Here in America, though I have never been East, I know I should feel at home in a New England garden. My entire knowledge of them has been gained from books, but I am sure, from what I have read that these gardens are quite as charming as the more formal ones of other lands. Separated from the street by either a white picket fence or a row of lilac bushes, grow in their seasons nasturtiums, pinks, larkspur, mignonette, sweet peas, and forget-me-nots, in neat rows. All these are in such profusion that one sees only the glorious general effect and fails to notice that the garden has been planted with total disregard to the blending of colors. At the back, against the fence, tall sun flowers flaunt themselves, while in front are clumps of gorgeous peonies, and at the side beds of fragrant mint.
All these gardens I think of when spring comes, and my yearly gardening fever seizes me. But at the end of two months, when my radishes go to seed before attaining edible size, and those of my flowers that are not choked by weeds have been dug up by other members of the family, I go back to the dream gardens in my books.
Mary Eaton, ’26.
AN old man, ragged, but with an air of dignity, quickly glanced at his stop watch as a small figure, crouched over a shining black neck, shot by. With a thunder of hoofs the black horse whirled past and fought for her head down the stretch. She would win the following Saturday—she must! If she didn’t then she too would have to go and leave the ruined old gentleman, who looked so feeble leaning over the white rail which enclosed the mile track. After much coaxing the black colt came mincing up to her old master.
The small colored boy, as black as his mount, was bubbling over with enthusiasm. “Dat dehby, Suh, is going to be won by ma Dixie,” patting the curved neck of the horse.
The old gentleman looked up. “Mah boy, you must remembah that Dixie will have otheah good hawses to beat. Vixen is the favohite and very fast, although Ah know mah little black friend heah will do heh best to honah the purple and white,” glancing proudly at the headband of the black marvel. “Next Satahday will decide it all.”
A shadow fell across the colt. Looking up, the gentleman, known as Colonel Fairfax, saw a man dressed in a checkered suit and orange socks. On a tie to match was a monstrous, well polished diamond, which sparkled wickedly in the sun. The man stood staring at the stop-watch. “Ah beg yoh pahdon, Suh, but theh anything Ah could do foah you?”
The man, hearing the question, looked up, flushing. “Youh horse is a Derby entry?”
Colonel Fairfax eyed the horse reflectively and answered, “It all depends on her condition, and only time can answeh that.” The man hurried away, leaving the old gentleman looking after him, a deep frown on his face.
“Washington, Ah am a bit doubtful about this new-uh-acquaintance,” he addressed the exercise boy.
Each day, no matter how early Dixie was given her exercise, the stranger was to be seen loitering in the distance or walking briskly beside the track—seemingly deep in thought. His presence seemed to trouble the Colonel, who watched his colt anxiously.
At last, the final workout. Colonel Fairfax and the unwelcome stranger leaned over the rail, intently watching the black horse, which appeared to have wings. The stranger, who had been seen talking to the owner of Vixen, the favorite, annoyed the old gentleman; he was suspicious of this flashily dressed man and did not conceal his feelings.
Sundown, Friday, found the stable at Churchill Downs buzzing with excitement. The favorite’s stall was surrounded by interested old racing men, who loved the thoroughbred and his sport, while a few individuals in gaily checkered suits crowded about, listening to the many “hunches” for business reasons only. An old man sat before Stall No. 7. Glancing up, he noticed two men peering in at Dixie. One was the man who had seemed so much interested in the mare’s trial gallops. Through the half-open door of the box stall could be seen a horse in faded purple and white blankets. After a hurried conversation the two men passed on to the favorite’s stall, where they smiled at the jockey, looked in, and walked on.
Long after the one-thirty special night train had whistled at the Downs crossing, a dark figure could be seen sliding along the stall doors—“Ten—Nine—; Eight—” Then it came to halt before Stall No. 7, and slipped through the door. It felt in the dark for the blanketed horse’s neck. The horse jumped as a dagger-like needle was thrust into its neck. The colored boy, in a drugged sleep at the door of the stall, stirred in his dreams, but was still again. The door opened quietly, and the figure slipped out, leaving the horse in No. 7 leaning drunkenly against the side wall. A shaft of moonlight fell across the intruder’s face, revealing the same man who had attended all of Dixie’s trial gallops. Little did this unscrupulous person realize that the black mare was spending the night in an old deserted barn near the race track, guarded by an old gentleman whose mouth was twisted into a whimsical smile, while a “guaranteed-to-be-gentle” livery horse was leading a life of luxury that evening in Stall No. 7, Churchill Downs.
Derby day at Churchill Downs! Kentucky was doing homage to the thoroughbred. As the band played “Dixie,” the Derby entries filed through the paddock onto the field. Proudly leading the string of the country’s best two year olds, was the song’s namesake, a true daughter of the South. With arching neck and prancing feet, Dixie, the pride of an old man’s heart, took her place at the barrier. Her jockey looked up as he passed an aristocratic old gentleman, dressed in a faded coat which reminded one of “befoah de Wah” days and whose hat remained off while the horses passed.
The barrier was up, and the roar shook the grandstand. “They’re off!!” The favorite, Vixen, shot ahead and seemed to be making a runaway race. Cheer after cheer rent the air. An old man clasped his program a little tighter and breathed a prayer. Around the turn came Vixen, but not alone. Crouched to the ground, a small black horse crept up to the flying tail of the favorite. Down the stretch the two thundered, fighting for supremacy. “Foah Kentucky, Dixie, and the honah of the purple and white!” As if she heard this plea from her master, Dixie bent lower. Then, her black nose thrust ahead, more than a length in advance of Vixen, she flashed under the wire, bringing “honah” to the purple and white.
Nancy Stevenson, ’26.