Winthrop University - Tatler Yearbook (Rock Hill, SC)

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The most interesting feature of the year was the Star Course, a series of entertainments. They were looked forward to with great pleasure, especially when we were permitted to receive our friends. One delightful night, a few weeks before the close of school, if you had peeped in you might have seen an interesting crowd of about seventy-five young ladies. Why such an assembly? The Juniors were receiving the Seniors, Post-Graduates and our President in honor of the Seniors. We had looked forward with pleasure to this happy event for several weeks, for we felt highly honored to have with us such distinguished guests. YVhen the bell announced to the students that the third year of Winthrop was about to open, there were thirteen Seniors found in their allotted places. Before the first term had ended we were saddened by the departure of one from our small number on account of sickness. ' Can you realize, my dear classmates, the swiftness with which this year has passed? It seems only yesterday that it was announced we should go to Astronomy Thursday morning at nine-forty-five. How we enjoyed those recitations, especially when Prof. B. showed us plates illustrating the different heavenly bodies. Every one felt, when she finished the course, that she was a mere speck in this great universe. Still we gained much in the knowledge of the order and system of God's works. We appreciate the honor bestowed upon us by the junior class in the delightful reception given to us. And we wish that their brightest anticipations may be realized in their Senior year. 3 i

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w,-Y . .Y W HISTORY OF THE CLASS OF '98. On the 15th of October, 1895, the doors of Winthrop were thrown wide open to receive the fair daughters of South Carolina. Fifty enthusiastic girls were enrolled in the Sophomore class. Some of these who still brighten the halls are pursuing special studies: others have chosen their field of labor. Out of this large number only five have been fortunate enough to be a part of the class of '98. It is not an unusual spectacle to see this almost inseparable group in the various parts of the building. However, it is not my purpose to dwell upon the characteristics of my classmates, but to recall some of the happy events which we have enjoyed together during our college life. The first year at Wintlii'op will ever be held by this class as a peculiarly pleasant one. In the month of November we had a delightful trip to Atlanta. To say we enjoyed the visit would not fully express it, for who would not have been overwhelmed with the pleasures provided by our wise President, and the sight of all our brothers and cousins from the different colleges of the State. The first of April was a memorable day. The members of the faculty can never forget their experiences, nor can the dejected expressions of their faces ever fade from the memory of the girls. Who could forget the forlorn appearance of D11-, dreamily looking out of his window, his door roped by the Seniors, who had just deserted. But, girls, we had to give up when we attacked another professor. Oh! how he did pour the water through the transom upon some who thought they would escape a problem in Math. just one day. 'We were refreshed during our spring term by a day in the balmy air of the lofty mountains of North Carolina. The mountaineers, although expecting a body of girls, were greatly astonished when the train stopped and about four hundred girls in blue were let down in their midst. The first commencement was attended by a large concourse of people from all parts of the State. Rock Hill put on her holiday attire, and, with the jingling of the street car bells, her quiet suburb was in a bustle and stir for several days. The opening of the second session brought to our ranks many recruits, who were heartily welcomed, and made to feel at home in our class. If a casual visitor should happen to see a junior ascending the stairs with checked apron and note book, he would most probably think she belonged to the cookery department. But no, she is winding her way to the labora- tory to make chemical experiments. Never shall we forget those implicit directions. At first we saw no immediate danger in such simple tests, but we were soon convinced that we could no longer risk our lives in experimenting alone, so had to leave that to our wise teacher. 2

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CLASS PRCPHECY, 1898. 'Twas the last Friday night before the Commencement, and the faculty were holding the last and llityfllf meeting of the year, in which they were to decide the fate of the members of the Senior Class. The majority of the students, free from the cares of school-life for a season, and intent upon making the few remaining nights ones to be remem- bered, were enjoying the long-looked-for German. I was very much depressed and worn out by the strain and hard work of the last three months, and had determined to remain in my room to restp but finding the heat oppressive and the glare of the electric lights trying to the eyes, I went out on the veranda to enjoy the cool breeze. The stars were out in all their splendor, and I spent some time in trying to recognize the few constellations I know. Then sink- ing down on a rug, which some one had neglected to carry in that evening, I fell into a deep reverie concerning the duties of the approaching commencement and the inevitable separation from my class-mates at the end of the following week. I-Iow long I remained thus I do not know, but was finally aroused by a long drawn sigh, coming seemingly from below. Thinking it to be the night watchman, I looked down and was about to call, 'L Uncle Aleck, is there anything the matter ? when, imagine my surprise at seeing a short, slightly built man of about eighty years of age, clothed in a long, black flowing robe, with a mantle of the brightest scarlet thrown loosely over his shoulders. A long beard added to his venerable appearance, and his hoary locks were covered with a tightly fitting cap. I-Iis eyes, which twinkled as brightly as the stars, were gazing very intently up at the heavens. In his small, shrivelled hand he held a curious looking little book, and I noticed that he turned its leaves rapidly after his survey of the heavens and jotted down a few lines on a scrap of dingy, yellow paper. This he repeated time after time. Always after writing he made some significant gesture, such as crossing his hands over his breast, or shaking his head 3 frequently a chuckle, and then again that deep sigh, which had first aroused me. My curiosity was very much excited as to what he could be writing-evidently something depending upon the stars, for each few lines he wrote was preceded by along and care- ful gaze at the heavens. It was now growing late, and soon the bell for lights out would ring, but I had made up my mind to see the last of him. Finally, I heard him mutter so himself, thats all, and then I saw him fold the scrap of yellow paper, and carefully place it inside his robe. I was about to ask him what he had been doing, when, with joy, I saw that the paper, instead of going into his pocked as he thought, had fallen to the ground, and, without it, he slowly wended his way to the gate. Impatiently I waited until the dark, bent form had disappeared in the dis- tance, and then ran quickly down the steps and caught up that wonderful little piece of paper. I carried it to my room, and bolting the door, immediately began to decipher the curious writing. You may be sure I could hardly restrain my feelings when I read at the top of the page: The future of the Class of '98, as predicted by ,lui