Sweet Briar College - Briar Patch Yearbook (Sweet Briar, VA)

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■■■■■■ Extract From a Diary ' March, 19-30. MY poor old Diary, to think T haven ' t touched von for a month! But so much has happened in that time that now I will have to start in at the beginning and tell yon all. It was a raw and dreary afternoon in the middle t ' February when, tired (Hit, 1 was sitting alone in the library, luxuriously indulging in a cup of tea and gazing into the glowing coals. In the morning ' s paper I had read of the bril- liant wedding of one of my old college mates to a distinguished foreign noble- man, so, now recurring to this in my thoughts, I gradually began to review in memory all those dear old golden days at Sweet Briar. Absorbed in such memories, I -was greatly startled by hearing a queer noise outside of the window. Goodness, what on earth made that screeching sound? I exclaimed in an irritable manner. I had just recovered my composure and was on the point of pouring another cup of tea when the same peculiar sound was repeated. Well, I said, I ' ll find out this time what that noise is. As I started in the direction of the bay-window, the noise came for the third time. I looked up, and the sight that I saw made nie doubt my senses. Had I gone crazy, or merely become a child again with childish dreams coming true ' . For whai do you think was there on my window-ledge I None other than old Mother Goose seated on the back of her big, white goose! Mother Goose with her high peaked hat and broom, just exactly true to her pictures! At the sight, all of my boasted self-control left me, and while I was en- deavoring to catch enough breath to admit of a scream, the old dame leaned forward and beckoned to me in the mosl kindly manner imaginable. In answer, I sprang forward and opened the window. Ah, my dear, exclaimed Mother Goose, it certainly took you a long time to do that. I had to rap three times upon that window and I was lie- coming impatient. However, my deal ' , gel your wraps and mount behind me, for I want to take you on a trip. Come on, don ' t keep me any longer. But, Mother Goose, I began. I

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and Rand the organization of thought, we pondered within ourselves if, after all, disorganization were tiol preferable to its opposite. Nor were these our only ohstacles — Prose Composition, Analytical Geometry, Anglo-Saxon and numerous other torments and persecutions must be passed before we reached the goal. Twice a year we fell our courage wane, our spirits flag and we trembled for our little band of five, but fortune smiled upon us and, thanks in a generous use of cram, bluff and study, we have come safely through the ordeal; we feel in our grasp the much-desired A. 11. Perchance some of our members are weary and worn, possibly all of us have Inst a bit of the vigor of our youth, lint what is this trifle compared to whal we have gained from these four college years ' . We have experienced and enjoyed the verdancy of Freshmen, the conceit of Sophomores and the irresponsibility of Juniors, but the Senior year is the lies), by far the best, after all. When, as Freshmen, we entered College our sole aim and ambition was to complete the course so formidably set forth in the catalogue. Now, as Seniors, we realize that Ibe most vital parts of our life at Sweet Briar are not included in this catalogue. We have mastered tbe text-books, but text-book lure may leave us to-morrow, aye, even now it is gone, bttt the development and growth these years have brought ns are our possessions now and always. It is in our Senior year that are drawn closer ami sealed the ties which fur four years have been drawing ns together. Here are made fast ami firm the deepest friendships — friendships that will last when tbe Class of 1910 is scattered and gone. Here we learn f give our faculty the respect and love that has been miserly dealt out in the years preceding. To ns then they were teach- ers merely, stern text-bunk expounders; now we see them as our friends and guides, new we love them as these to whom our welfare is dear, as those who care fur our interests and ad vancement. Life ' s lessons came to ns here, our college years have not been in vain. The college history of 1010 is over. During the years to come she will be followed by other and more brilliant classes, but to her will always li- ascribed the glory and honor due a pioneer. No other class, however brilliant, can stand in exactly tbe same relation to her Alma Mater, no other class can ever sing with unite as much heartiness — Here ' s to the davs that we have known, Here ' s to the days to tic Here ' s to tl liege we call our own — Here ' s to S. B. C.

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Now don ' t begin to make excuses, she interrupted, bu1 gel your hat and wraps and I ' ll lake you to see the members of your graduating class of nineteen-ten. Wise old Mother Goose! She knew I could resist thai trip least of any oilier that she mighl offer. I quickly turned hack to the room, snatched up a pen and wrote a few lines to tell of mv departure, and then putting on hat, coat, and gloves, 1 mounted with much trepidation behind Mother Goose on her p el steed. Oh, it isn ' t necessary to squeeze me to death, said Mother Goose, as I frantically twined my arms about her, for this way of riding is as easy as sitting in a nicker, and nut anything like as uncomfortable as those old-fashioned air-ships which are still so much in vogue at the present day. This reassured me somewhat, but still did not nearly prepare me for the absolutely delicious sensation of goose-riding in mid-air that I experienced as we started upward on our flight. After the first amazement hail passed, I be- came keenly alive to the facts of my queer situation, and greatly infatuated with its novelty. Looking below, I saw the dim outlines of my little town, and as I looked these outlines gradually melted away and gave place to what seemed an endless amount of green. You have probably been wondering, said Mother Goose (though strange to say, such a wonder had never entered my head), how I happen to know of you and your class-mates. However, unknown to any one, I have taken a groat interest in that now world-famous college of Sweet Briar ever since it opened its doors in the early part of this century. My interest, seemed to center especially in the first graduating class. Since then I have kept up with each of its members. It occurred to me the other day that I might make myself known and give one of you the benefit of one of my annual trips, so I decided to stop by for you. My, my, continued she, what a remarkable career that little class of five has had! What names the members have made for themselves! I know you must be anxious to see your friends again. Only have a little patience now, and in several hours ' time, I will land you safely at the home of your nearest class-mate. We will take the girls in turn as we come to them, and the first stop we will make will be at an Powell ' s.