Southold High School - Snuffbox Yearbook (Southold, NY)

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THE SNUFF BOX FRIVOLITY AND FATE For generations the Scranton family had considered frivolity ill becoming to a woman. All of the sisters of the Reverend Mr. Scranton had been serious minded—pioneer women, physicians, women collegians, missionaries, and the like. Now the Reverend Mr. Scranton and his wife were rejoicing over the fact that already three angelic daughters had lived up to the family tradition. Ruth, the eldest, had become a missionary; Helen, a prominent woman suffragist; and Pauline, a professor of science in a large western college. The fourth daughter, Rosalind, who was now attending Ardsley College, was the youngest of the four girls and the pride of both father and mother. Surely she would have some great work planned, which would undoubtedly surpass all the rest. Re. and Mrs. Scranton had not seen Rosalind for nearly a whole year as she had spent both the Christmas and the Spring vacations at the home of her room-mate, Angela Smythe. The month of June, the month when school would close, could not fly fast enough for Rev. and Mrs. Scranton, so great were their anticipations to have with them once more their beloved daughter. For several months Mrs. Scranton had been making plans for their daughter’s home-coming—the beneficial things she could do during the summer months, the Sunday School class that she could take charge of. Then, too, arrangements were being made whereby Rosalind should continue some of her missionary work. At last, that long-anticipated day of days arrived. Barely had the train come to a stop alongside the little station when a slip of a girl not more than twenty-two bounded gleefully from the steps of the train into the arms of an anxious mother and father. Surely it was as she had always done, but still, Rosalind had changed so in appearance that everything seemed radically different. She seemed to have stepped from a fashion plate. Her smart tailored ensemble, the nifty little hat, and the neatly shod feet, all seemed to radiate worldliness. How Rosalind had planned and dreamed about the homecoming and the meeting of her old school chums. How she had thrilled at the thought of creating a sensation in town! Now she was home—and two solid months of recreation before her. Needless to say, the Scrantons were horribly shocked at their daughter’s frivolity and immediately took prompt counsel together concerning the possibilities of her reformation. After you have spoken to Rosalind regarding her future purpose in life,’’ said Mrs. Scranton, I shall appeal to her about her dress. She has steadfastly refused to teach the Sunday School class and seems to take no interest whatsoever in our missionary work. I believe that it has been very unwise for us to allow her to spend her vacations away from home, and also to attend to the buying of her clothes, but I had actually believed that now was the best time for her to be independent 19

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THE SNUFF BOX 100,000,000. This valley during May, June and July of each year is threatened by destruction by flood and in September and October is threatened by drought. Part of the Boulder Dam project is concerned with the construction of a canal entirely on United States soil. Originally, in order to avoid prohibitive cost of construction, the canal which now provides a water supply for Imperial Valley was built on the United States side of the boundary line, but passing immediately into the Republic of Mexico, through which it runs for a distance of sixty miles before recrossing the international boundary. The seriousness of the situation may be realized by the fact that, if the supply of water delivered by this canal were interfered with for only a few days, Imperial Valley would not only be faced with financial ruin from the destruction of all crops, but the people themselves would have to move from the valley as no other source of water is available, even for drinking purposes. Under the plan developed for the canal, it was proposed to divert the water at Laguna Dam, located some twelve miles above the city of Yuna. This diversion and grade of canal would be so constructed that some 500,000 acres of additional land may eventually be placed under cultivation. This necessitates that the canal be considerably larger than the present canal which passes through Mexico. The canal will not only guarantee a water supply to Imperial Valley, but will, in conjunction with Boulder Canyon reservoir, make it possible for the American land owners in Mexico to develop a million acres of land below the border without affecting land owners in the United States. The total cost of the entire project has been estimated to be about 125,000,000, of which 41,500,000 will be expended for the dam itself, 31,000,000 for the canal, and 31,500,000 for the water power development. Other expenses of construction, including interest during the development of the project, will bring the total bill to the amount stated above, which has been appropriated. Because the Colorado River is an interstate and international stream, and since the proposed site of Boulder Dam is on the boundary between Arizona and Nevada, thereby affecting the interests of more than one state, the Federal Government is the logical agney to undertake this project. Federal Government officials, whose duties have brought them into a close study of the Colorado River problem, were unanimous in their conclusion that immediate legislative steps should be taken to curb the flood-mad waters of the great river. Every phase of the problem has been surveyed, investigated, and considered most thoroughly by the nation’s most competent authorities. These authorities agreed that the time for action had arrived—action by Congress that will accomplish the Conquest of the Colorado River. M. E. H. ’29 18

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THE SNUFF BOX and to learn thrift. These were the only methods I could think of. What shall I do?” At this the Reverend Mr. Scranton grumbled, Bring her to me.” Rosalind floated into the room, a vision of pink satin and marabou. Your father wishes to speak with you, Rosalind.” I wish you would call me Ross. All the girls at school call me that,” remarked Rosalind, nervously twisting her foot about the leg of the table. After Mr. Scranton had spent several minutes lecturing on the vulgarity of using nicknames, he suddenly asked, Rosalind, what do you intend to do? What career attracts you?” At this point Rosalind looked up and laughed, Me! Career! Why I’ve never even thought about it, and besides I couldn’t do anything. Angela and I sat up all night cramming for four nights in succession. Oh, we had an awful time to keep awake—had to drink oceans of black coffee and I had to have wet towels around my head.’ Rosalind,” cried Mrs. Scranton, totally shocked. Well, that’s the way wc always have to cram for exams,” protested Rosalind in a hurt voice. By this time Mr. Scranton had decided to let the matter drop for the moment. Well, Rosalind,” continued Mrs. Scranton, what do you intend to do all summer to amuse yourself?” Why,” burst out Rosalind, aren’t there any interesting men in o town r Men!” groaned the male parent, while Rosalind carried her mother off to teach her how to do her hair properly.” While thus pleasantly occupied, she learned that two young ministers, who had come to spend the summer months at the hotel, and who were great friends of her mother, would like very much to meet her. It was preposterous. She hated all ministers except her father. She wouldn’t even see them and if she did, she wouldn’t treat them decently. A week later Rosalind was seen seated among a group of laughing young people on the veranda of Pine View Hotel, overlooking Lake Luzerne. Her shrill voice could be heard above all the rest and her words were distinctly heard by the group of young men who were standing at the end of the veranda. Anyway, I can’t stand a minister. They never do anything heroic and they are about as interesting and cheerful as Alden’s 'Study of Death’.” At this the group in which Rosalind was the center of attraction broke into laughter, and the group of men at the end of the veranda slowly sauntered toward the tennis court. In several days the swimming match which had brought Rosalind and her friends to Pine View Hotel was to take place. On the day preceding the great event, Rosalind awoke early and after hastily don- 20