Radcliffe College - Yearbook (Cambridge, MA)

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Class Prophecy B G This next room, continued the matron, 'I is occupied by one of the mildly crazy class. We have not been able to ascertain the cause of the disease as yet, but we think it is due to overwork at an early period in her life. Listen. You see she sings like that from morning to night. I listened and this is what I heard in a crooning voice: I've been visiting for about a week, ' Up to my aunt's at Lonesome Creek, , I've got the ---- And a new straw hat , And Ilm coming home where my beau lives at. . Shut the window, quick, I sighed, overcome with emotion at the sad state of poor old Nell Barry. The next inmate I was shown was another of the same class. She had been completely upset by the great questions, Who am I, and what am I, which she had learned to ask while studying Philosophy B in college. The matron opened the window and I saw a very sweet little lady peering in a tiny looking glass and asking her image over and over again, Who is Sylvia, Wliat is she? I couldn't resist the temptation and called ,.through'the grating, I' Sylvia is a Knight, just as the matron shut the window with a repr-imand. ' H H This next room, she continued, after I promised not to .speak again, is occupied by a real celebrity. She, also, poor child, is mildly! crazy, brought on, Dr. Postum thinks, by excessive coffee drinking. They say she had every promise of a brilliant political career after she left college and was even offered the position of governor of Honizuzu. But unfortunately her petty vice brought her heref' ' But what is she writing? 1' I asked, fairly weak with sorrow -at poor Lorna's'fate. A , Oh, that, said the matron, I believe she calls it 'The Con- fessions of a Coffee Drinker. Thanks, I said, turning to the matron. Are there any more?', ' 30

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A Class Prophecy E S a long term at the Sing Song Reformatory School for taking part in the Anarchist's -Plot of 1919. We got her out Finally and sent for her to come over here and be under Miriamls guidance. Well, who'd a thought it of Roxie? I mused. It's not half so surprising, said Frances, that the got there as it is that Grace Kennedy is still there. rk as The shock was too great for me. The next thing I knew I was seated again in the glass chair, clutching wildly at Dr. Satis- factionis. Quick,', I cried, send me to the Sing Song Reformatory School, I've got to help Grace Ken- PF P? 31 2? ik A healthy looking matron met me at the door of the Reforma- tory and led me down the hall. I believe you have come to see my six prize patients, she said. They are fine young ladies, every one of them., and it is a shame they should have to serve time. You know, of course, we have no real criminals here, only unruly and mildly crazy ones. This first room is occupied by two of the former kind, she said, opening a window in the door. Recognizing Grace Kennedy and Lydia' Lothrop I started to call to them, but the matron checked me, saying, I must ask you not to communicate with the inmates in any way. It is not allowed. But what is the cause of their being here? I asked, be- wildered. Noisy and disorderly, answered the matron, as she shut the window and led the way further. This next room is occu- pied by another unruly young lady. The New York Public Library sent her here on the complaint of mutilating books. Says she turned down a Page and hurt it. She claims she was only trying to turn over a new leaf. So saying, the matron opened the grat- ing and let me peak at Madeline Iunkins. 29

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Class Prophecy B Q Yes, just one, she answered dubiously, but I must ask you to be very quiet when you see her, as she sometimes is violent. What was my utter surprise to find the person in question none other than Catharine Huntington. It seems she was sent there for repeated attempts to make' Roosevelt king, and for insist- ing on Votes for Me11.. ' There she sat, murmuring to herself, Isn't it frightful? Oh! isn't it frightful! That was all I could stand, and thanking the matron for her kindness, I made my way to the street, feeling very downcast. just as I was leaving the building I was cheered up a little by running into my friend Emilie, Burford no longer, as she informed me. She had some peanuts she was carrying to her old pals, and after giving them to the matron, linked her arm in mine and we made our way up the street. 'K'VVell, Em, old topf' I said, tell me all you know. UI don't know much, excepting that I'm married and terribly happy, she answered, blushing. I-low about Marian Blackall? I asked, after squeezing her hand and assuring her I knew just how she felt. H Marian, why she lives in England with her husband, Lord WVhiteso1ne. Quite the fine lady, too. IVas presented at court last year. VVhew! isn't that grandll' I gasped. How about Olive and all the old bunch? Olive, you know, won the world's record for bravery. They say she had the coeur de Leon .... Do you see those two im- posing buildings with the high walls around themf' she continued, after a good laugh. That one is a convent and Corinne Macoy is mother superior. May Riley was with her until two years ago, but received a call and has gone to Spane to live. The other one is a Reformatory for bad boys. Cordelia is at the head of it, and 'her discipline is copied the world around. Florence Adams assists with the largest and most unruly, and lflelen Carver has a course in good nature. The most vicious are like lambs after a week of her training. Peggy was a famous private secretary to President Bryan and finally married one of his cabinet land is quite the belle 31