Benjamin School for Girls - Tusitala Yearbook (New York, NY)

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aae----ee - A f f TUSITALA Fon 1923 from head to foot, gory looking brands on forehead, chin, and handsg hair covered with paste-fit is little wonder we laughed, The teachers, who had bloodthirstily watched the whole thing, were inarticulate with mirth, the old girls, exhausted by their noble efforts, could only smileg but I think that we poor victims, sore as we were, enjoyed it most of all, since we realized that the horrors were over and that at last we were real Benjaminites. And when the sandwiches that the inquisitors had prepared were brought forth, our happiness was complete. We fell upon them with whoops of joy, sat down cautiously, and 'Qwent at itf' I know that a wilder looking bunch has never been seen, but a more enjoyable time has never been had. THE TI-IANKSGIVING DINNER AND PLAYS In a spirit of true scientific inquiry even at the expense of personal comfort, the home girls of the Benjamin School set out the evening of November 18, 1927, to de- termine the exact amount of food the normal female body can accommodate. I regret to state that the experiment was not quite completed, for the supply gave out before the demand was entirely satisfied. However, as far as they went, the results were incredible. Although there were one or two who faltered as the last piece of fruit, the majority of the girls could have eaten on indefinitely. When it became evident that no more material for experimentation was forth- coming, we sat for a moment with glazed eyes and stertorous breathing and then arose. Although the air had been full of song during dinner, after the meal we were incapable of anything more, than a sort of rhythmic gurgling, which, however, expressed our complete satisfaction with the world in general and the school in particular. After we had recovered somewhat from the dinner, the guests began to arrive for the plays. 'They trickled in in deceptively small groups, but when it came to getting them all in for the performance we realized how many people were interested in the school. The two clever little plays, The Clock Shop , and Lady of Pain , were given with a touch worthy of professionals, and more than once the unobtrusive presence of mind of the principals was brought to our notice. Our Dramatic Art Classes give promise of several budding geniuses already. WITHIN THE LAW To steal-a kiss. To beat-a carpet. To kill-time. To fight-life's battles. To speed-good news. To shield-a friendls honor. Page Sixty TV I -TAM

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TUSITALA FOR 1928 The loveliness of the day helped to make the trip very enjoyable. We went straight to Sing Sing and were shown through the buildings. It was very interesting, and we were all surprised at the amusements allowed the prisoners. Some of them were actually playing tennis, baseball, and football. The chapel was very large and divided into sections for the different denominations, each of which has its own minister. The prisoners are even allowed to go to school for an hour and a half each day to try to improve their education. We learned that most of the prisoners are very ignorant. There were two buildingsg an old building which is soon to be discarded, and a new one which is almost complete. The new building is a great improvement over the old prison and has many conveniences that the old one does not afford. After leaving Sing Sing, we went to see the grave of Washington Irving. We were all very anxious to see the grave of the distinguished early American writer who has written so many interesting and delightful stories of a period in our history that seems little more than a dream. But of all the interesting things we saw, nothing surpassed the estate of Helen Gould. The greenhouses were unbelievably large, and we were all charmed by the beautiful flowers. We left the place with many regrets, even though we knew that supper was waiting for us in the bus. INITIATION OF THE NEW HOME GIRLS October 13, 1927-the fatal night of initiation had arrived. Ten girls, grey-faced, gasped as one, ten hearts thudded to the choking point, ten pitiful lower lips quivered and were manfully restrained-the bell had rung. Although it is normally a cheerful, fussy sort of a bell, Thursday night its ring had a funereal overtone which was quite in keeping with the air of the whole school, for that knell was the signal. for a series of horrors. The door opened, and a most uninquisitorial-looking figure appeared, garbed in pink rornpers. Innocent it seemed, indeed, but we new girls had penetrated the mask, and we knew the diabolical mind that dwelt behind it. One by one, blindfolded and trembling, we were led down the stairs, our bare feet cruelly lacerated by the thousands of racks-later found to be cloves-on the steps. Down the stairs, feeling blindly before us, into a quiet little room, dark as the inside of a coffin. Monstrosities filled the air, created by the brains of those grey huddled figures there, mediaeval tortures were pictured-prayers offered up-misdeeds regretted -little kindlinesses thankfully remembered. Wills were made, old hates and new grudges forgotten, oh, many a girl made her peace with God in that quiet little room! And ever and anon, as a shriek rang out from beyond, a concerted shiver ran through the room, and a traitorous sob broke from our very hearts. One by one, we were led out .... oh, let us be merciful and draw a curtain over the slaughter! When the blindfolds were removed, we stood and looked at each other, too dazed evenlto speak. And then, as we began to take in the details, somebody started to snicker, and in a moment all ten of us were rolling on the floor with laughter. Molasses Y V V niwnvi VM Y iiiiir M -- H O O Win YVVY V O 74 T T Pdgdffifwy-Nflle

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TUSITALA Fon l928 THE H A CAST-OFF PARTY On Tuesday night, November 29, our Benjamin School was a veritable Vanity Fair. On second thought, though, the clothes that were discarded could scarcely be called Vanities. Clothes-under and outer, shoes, hose, hats, coats-all went into one collection, until the H A's had quite a respectable haul to send to Miss Minor. As a matter of fact, very few evening gowns and chiffon unmentionables appeared, the contributions were amazingly sane and useful. After unloading, we crowded into the auditorium, and were entertained by a striCtly non-educational travelogue. Whether this was a reward for the generous casting-off, or whether the casting-off was the price of admission for this, still remains a mystery. Anyhow, it was thoroughly enjoyable, and very well presented. We fear however, that one young lady has blighted forever any hopes she may once have had of feminine leads in sundry schoolplaysg she is doomed, Qon the stage, at any ratej to wear the pantsl' for evermore. A delightful finish to a delightful evening was added by bars of chocolate, ice-cream, cakes, and lollypops passed by bull-fighters, sailors, and-I forget whether they're ginrickshas or geishas, anyhow, they're japanese. After eating almost all we could hold, we stuck our lollypops in our cheeks and thanked our collective hostess, and withdrew to speak thus, The third scene, wasn,t it darling? Oh, I thought the Spanish one was cute, didn't- That's the one I mean, halfwit-.U And so on, far, far, into the night. ' CHRISTMAS DOLLS Best bibs and tuckers on, little feet stuck out in a straight row, the dolls at the Christmas dance ornamented the mantels and chaperoned the festivities beautifully, to say nothing of the enjoyment the guests got out of playing with them. They had their night of pleasure, sowed their little wild oat, and were sent the next day to Miss Minor for the poor children. All of them, from the infant that drained his inexhaustible bottle, to the twin pickaninnies, left very reluctantly, because even dolls love the whirl of mad night life as typified at Benjamin, but they went. The intrepid young man in his plane, the Spirit of Benjamin, was adjudged the best of all. His sponsor, Adelaide Salomon, got the first prize, and all those girls who had dressed their own proteges received honorable mention. Page Sixfy-Ozze