Southold High School - Snuffbox Yearbook (Southold, NY)

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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

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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 ning her bathing suit, she made for the beach for her morning duck. It seemed to Rosalind that the weather was much colder than usual, but after running for about a quarter of a mile, she soon forgot the chilliness of the air, and upon reaching the pier, she dove into the water. Her plans were to swim from the pier to the dock at which the steamboats landed, a distance of about a mile. Rosalind was quickly brought back to her senses, however, on striking the cold water. At first she began splashing vigorously in hope of getting warmed up, but in spite of all muscular gymnastics, she felt the chill of the water gradually penetrate her body. It was then that she made the hasty decision to turn back and reach the pier before her limbs became numb. Little by little she was making the distance, but the pier was still a considerable distance away, and she was experiencing most extraordinary sensations. Her arms and legs began to stiffen, and before she could think, her movements had ceased altogether and she was frantically calling for help. Then things became black and she knew no more. When Rosalind recovered consciousness, she was lying on a couch in the bath-house. A young man’s anxious face was bent toward hers, and as Rosalind opened her eyes, the stranger inquired, How do you feel now, Miss - er -?” I guess I wouldn’t have been here if it hadn’t been for you,” replied Rosalind. I’m afraid you wouldn’t, child. I’m mighty glad I happened around. I was just going swimming myself and, as I came down to the pier, I saw you struggling.” Oh, I’m so glad that you happened around instead some of the girls. It seems so much more heroic to be saved by a man. Are you a life saver?” At this the hero laughed heartily and answered, Something of the sort.” During the days following this incident, Rosalind was seen most of the time in the company of her hero, instead of the little group to whom she had formerly been attached. The letter which Mr. Scranton and his wife received, telling them when Rosalind was coming home, also contained the following: No doubt you will both be surprised as much as myself when I tell you that my hero is the Reverend John Swift. I was unable to find out all of his name until after I had consented to marry him. He was afraid that I would change my mind if I knew, but anyway I would have married him even if I had known the Reverend was attached. I guess that all of dad’s brethren aren’t so bad after all. Your frivolous daughter, 21 Rosalind”