Rockford College - Recensio / Cupola Yearbook (Rockford, IL)

Page 30 text:

The Story of 1911 N the autumn of IQO7 a brand new baby class arrived at Rockford College. She was a baby because she was so very young and so very innocent and not because of her size-Oh dear no,-she was quite the biggest of the four sister classes, and those who had known the others from baby- hood up, said that she was bigger than they had ever been. Her name was 191 1, but for short they called her '11, This name did not mean very much to her thenq she accepted it as a matter of course, but it seemed a far away thing with little connection to her happy rollicking self. Later it came to mean more,-but I am getting on too fast with my story, An older sister who had gone away the June before had left to her a dress of old rose color and this too she accepted carelessly, for in her baby ignorance one bright color was as pleasing as another. Really dressed for the first time and bubbling over with the pure joy of beingalive, she started outon a rambumcious tour of investigation, not to con- quer the world, tshe thought that was hers already, l but to look about herat the many strange and interesting things in the new life and to learn tl1e games her older sisters were playing so intently. Their games were all so different and confusing. Some were played in the dark after the lights had been put out, and these were very exciting and made her round eyes open still wider and her breath catch in little shocked gasps of delighted nervousnessg then there were games played in the big, bare rooms with numbers on the doors. These she did not like so well, for the grandma's and aunties took part and always seemed to be it g somehow it made the play a little stupid. And lastly there were the really truly games that she learned either on the tennis courts or in the gymnasiumg among these basket-ball was her favorite. She played basket-ball very well indeed, and, as she grew more steady on her feet and learned not to shut her eyes and open her mouth wl1e11 she saw the ball coming, her next older sister asked her to play the game with her. She con- sented, and they played together one night, little 'II quite covering herself with glory and conceit, for she won the game easily and surprised both her 22

Page 29 text:

W c s l RUTH PETERSON -, 1'M'4'X1v .vo rnznm' mm' fybx .vo 1'Cn', C711 bw' zzffk Ibn .vlzzzrlf-film' bzmynzzf IMT n MII- n'ffr'1' 011 175 bm . lily! yy by . ff 1 l i If x I X, X at ff' f Jgf li J ' 1 Oh fortunate maiden! Venus has endowed you richly with her own beauty and made psychology a joy unto your soul. See to it that you become not puffed-up and overly demonstrative. When moved to a boisterous display of your emotions, stop for a few moments and ponder upon the achievements of your class mates. FLORENCE ROBERTS There is every indication here of a frivolous and hair- brained character. The finger tips reveal an overwhelming tendency to procrastinate but this is more than off set by your indifference to the evils attendant upon the day of judgment. I would warn you from becoming too violently attached to strange persons. It is dangerous and unbecoming. The length of your thumb speaks Well for your success as a bare- back rider, but perhaps some of the curves shown here promise still greater reward in following the profession of chorus girl. EDNA TEMPLETON Here there is 'etvery indication of a serious and studious nature. The lines plainly indicate a deep seated aversion to the theatre and all things theatrical. An almost prudish attitude towards social gayieties of any sort and a desire for entire solitude, cause one to fear that you will be an old maid. The life line is short however, indicating poor heart control and the lines branching from it show an absolute disregard if not actual hatred of men. 21 X

Page 31 text:

sister and herself. After this her baby arrogance knew no bounds, and she must have been a sore trial to the family, but they treated her gently, for they had known other babies and felt sure that she would acquire wisdom later on. The sister named 1909 was especially kind and treated her with more consideration than did the others. She had made a party for ,II when she was very little and now 'rr thought herself old enough to give one in return. It was quite a pretentious affair and reflected much credit upon the young hostess who received with all the dignity her short fat legs and bobb- ing curls would permit. This was her social debut and firmly established her as a member of society, but it was not sufficient to satisfy her longings for supremacy. So, in the grey of an early morning, when the cold March wind was whistling over the chimneys, she clambered to the topmost point in the cupola and fastened to the flag staff there her pennant of old rose felt. Crowing with glee, she then defied the irate sisters who would fain have plucked her from her lofty perch and carried her kicking and screaming to her mother. All through the hrst hour class and during chapel she remained upon the highest trunk, catching her death of cold but quite indifferent to both threats and bribes. Only when those storming the fort retired in utter defeat, did she descend, and, bearing her colors aloft, lead a triumphal march about the campus. This was the last color rush ever held at R. C., the pain it caused the Sophoinores was too intense. Sometime after this when the days had grown warmer, baby 'rr and the whole family went away on a long vacation. No one has ever found out where it was she went that summer, some say one thing, some say another, but certain it is that when she came back she was very much changed. The curls had straightened out and the chubby little legs had grown long and thin, but worst of all her nose was broken. Another baby class had come and her place was taken. This was an awkward time, she felt that she ought to act with all the decorum of a grown-up but was uncertain as to the best way of going about it. After long deliberation the idea of giving a progress- ive dinner party occurred to her as being the wisest plan and accordingly she made very elaborate preparations for entertaining her favorite sister. Four courses were given at as many different homes scattered throughout the city, and during the long walks between, in the soft autumn dusk, the two became better acquainted than ever before. 23